New Wine Bistro offers confluence of intoxicating flavors and natural wonder in Lyle
Domaine Pouillon Wine Bistro - Wine Flowing on the River
Domaine Pouillon Winery has opened a bistro at 34 State Street in Lyle, Washington. The building is located at the base of the Klickitat River, where it meets the Columbia. They are sharing the building with Confluence Cafe. The wine bistro will be open year-round from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Pictured above are owner Juliet Pouillon and Winemaker Alexis Pouillon. Photo credit: Audra Mulkern of Female Farmer Project
By Brittany Drewett
Lyle, Wash., Nov. 24th, 2023 - Black Friday was the official grand opening of Domaine Pouillon’s new wine bistro location. My friends and I were fortunate enough to have the time to swing in for the festivities.
We were not disappointed.
The Bistro at Domaine Pouillon Winery takes in the stunning confluence of the Klickitat and Columbia rivers, bringing a beautiful flow of nature’s wonder with a stimulating selection of wines to enhance the experience.
We arrived at 1:00 in the afternoon, only an hour after they officially opened. There were several groups of people sitting both inside and out.
The weather was as stunning as the bistro itself! We opted to sit outside overlooking the rivers.
A Cinsault, a Fleur De Lyle and a Pet-Nat of Pinot Noir on a sunny day with friends overlooking the Klickitat River. C'est magnifique!
We each ordered a glass of wine - a Cinsault, a Fleur De Lyle and a Pet-Nat of Pinot Noir.
Each wine had a unique flavor and suited us perfectly. The 2022 Pet-Nat is a sparkling wine made of 100% Pinot Noir grapes. It is 12% ABV and pairs nicely with oysters.
The 2021 Cinsault is 14.3% ABV and has been aged in Neutral French Oak Barrels.
The 2019 Fleur De Lyle is 60% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% ABV.
We chose to pair the wine with a Ploughman's Platter. The sharp cheddar, grainy mustard and pickled green beans were to die for! The entire plate paired well with our wines.
There were other food offerings as well. You can opt for a cheeseboard, antipasto plate, dessert or an a la carte option. In addition to these offerings, Domaine Pouillon Wine Bistro will be serving fresh oysters each Thursday.
Though it was the end of November, we sat comfortably outside on the deck overlooking the Klickitat and Columbia rivers. Bistro manager Matt Ash promises the cedar benches smell incredible during the rain! Of course, this just means we will have to go back on a rainy spring afternoon to test the theory.
We've also been informed that the views are spectacular even with an inversion outside. Watch for wildlife and you won't be disappointed by the lack of sunshine!
Too cold to sit outside?
Don't worry. The windows and glass doors make for wonderful viewing of the Columbia River.
The Estate
I first visited Domaine Pouillon with a friend and her dad in 2019. I have always been enamored by their family and dog-friendly estate at 170 Lyle Snowden Highway. The estate vineyard’s winery opened in 2006. The vineyard houses a variety of wine grapes
Domaine Pouillon is owned and operated by dynamic duo Juliet and Alexis Pouillon. Juliet is the Owner and Alexis the Winemaker. Their vineyard is certified organic by Oregon Tilth and they work hard to follow sustainable practices in their winemaking. There are no pesticides used in the vineyard and they work to ensure the ecosystem thrives.
This year, I was able to join in the grape harvest. The experience was spectacular! Each member, friend and colleague arrived and worked together to harvest the season’s grapes. People were talking, laughing and enjoying themselves all morning long. After picking, we were treated to some tasty snacks and conversation about the upcoming bistro opening.
More Information
Love Domaine Pouillon as much as I do?
You can join their Grand Cru Club. Membership includes two shipments of six bottles each. You will also receive a 20% discount on all wine and merchandise purchases and member-only discounts on shipping. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to do tastings at the Vineyard Winery as well as the Bistro location. For more information about their wine club, email the club manager Sara Dyberg at wineclub@domainepouillon.com.
Each time I have visited Domaine Pouillon, I have been thrilled to note that I enjoy every wine on the tasting menu. The odds of enjoying each wine in a tasting flight aren't great, but at Domaine Pouillon, I have not found a single wine I don't enjoy! This is especially exceptional since I am not typically a white wine drinker.
My personal favorites include Katydid, French Press and New Normal.
The 2019 Katydid is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvedre. It is also a Gold Medal recipient from the 2023 SF Chronicle Wine Competition.
The 2020 French Press is 100% Syrah and has a 14.2% ABV. The New Normal is one of the most unique wines I have ever tried! It is a sparkling Syrah. You read that correctly- a sparkling red with 12% ABV.
Support Local News
Available to all. Funded by readers.
Though the aforementioned are my personal favorites, I had a hard time narrowing it down to the top three. Every wine at Domaine Pouillon is delicious and worth a try! The service is impeccable and the employees know their wine. If you are unsure, just ask. They will happily steer you toward a wine that is a perfect fit for you.
You can follow Domaine Pouillon on Instagram and Facebook. Want more information? Check out their website- https://www.domainepouillon.com.
