AniChe Cellars

I’m so glad we stopped here on our trip to Hood River! This is a great space tucked away not far from downtown and on a clear day, the views are incredible! It was too cold to enjoy their outdoor fire pit, but we happened to walk in during an open house and got to taste all of their wines and there was lots of delicious complimentary cheese and snacks as well. We left with a bottle of the Sirius (siriusly), but all of their wines were delicious and reasonably priced. Service was exceptionally friendly and welcoming. Really glad we made this stop!

I really must have missed the memo on this one. The only thing this winery had going for it in my opinion was the view.
I felt like the sommelier didn’t explain to us what was going on. Maybe she assumed we already knew? She brought us a plate of what appeared to us as snacks which we gobbled down. Then as it turns out those were for tasting with the wine, and when they brought another wine to taste they began with saying «this wine goes well with such-​and-​such item IF you still have it on your plate» which to me was rather rude.
Maybe if we knew that beforehand the wines would have tasted better. Maybe it was just the whole experience that led to me not liking any their wines. We left this place without a single bottle.
Parking is also confusing and difficult for a first-​timer, but apparently they have an unmarked parking area up on top of the hill by their building. Better signage would have been nice.
If we ever return I guess now we know the ins-​and-​outs of this place and might have a better experience, but I’m not sure when or if that will ever happen.

Holy amazing view batman! There are tons of places in the Gorge with beautiful views, but I have not quite experienced a spot in the Gorge quite on par with this view. It is mesmerizing and I found myself just staring off into the great beyond the whole time we were there.
The wine. Delicious. I first heard of this winery when I received a bottle of 7 Gables for my birthday from a friend (who is a member here). I had been saving it for a special occasion, but now that I know how delicious it is, I will probably need to go ahead and drink it up in the VERY near future. The tasting was great and the fees were waved because we all bought bottles. I especially took a liking to Goat Boy and chose that one to take home with me.
We decided to drink a bottle there and got a cheese and fig platter. We wanted to sit outside and enjoy the AMAZING view, but it was a bit windy and cooling off quickly on that day. We asked if there was any way we could get a fire started in one of the fire pits. They were very accommodating! She had a fire started for us in no time! One thing I would recommend is coming on a warm (or at least sunny) day. There was no seating inside the tasting room (if sitting down at any point is your thing). If you are going to want to hang out outside… the sun will be your friend.
The great wine, paired with the amazing view, joined by the friendly and accommodating staff… this might be my favorite winery. It has won my heart. It was our last and 6^th stop on the day we visited and what a way to end the day! If you are out exploring wineries in the Gorge and you don’t stop here… you’re doing it wrong!

This winery is fabulous! They have great food pairings to go with the wine and the view is to die for. The staff are also wonderful and full of good information about their wines. This winery is the first wine club I have joined and the benefits out-​weigh the cost by far.

Definitely the most spectacular of the views of any winery we found. Lots of great varietals and a helpful pourer. We walked out with a couple of nice bottles and plan to visit again next time we are down there. The Columbia Gorge appellation is on its way up so this is a good time to get in while you can. I would expect the area to explode in the coming years.

We stumbled onto this winery as we were looking for a place to picnic with a bottle of wine and Syncline was closed (we were there on a Wednesday). AniChe was open so we figured what the heck, we’ll give it a try. I was a little hesitant as their web-​site said they had a lot of different varietals and their wine went well with food. Two red flags for me — this often means the wine maker doesn’t necessarily do anything well — and the wine isn’t all that great — so they say «it’s meant to be had with food.»
Wow was I pleasantly surprised! When they say «served with food» — their wine tasting, which consisted of 5 wines for a $ 5 fee; they brought out a lovely little plate of foods to taste with each wine. There was a piece of cheese, a piece of chocolate, a dried fig, a piece of salami — and one other item I can’t remember. The pairings were very well suited and the wines were impressive. There are 3 women who are all wine makers (which explains to me at least why they have so many varietals they work with).
They have picnic tables with umbrella shades outside where you can buy a bottle and have a picnic outside — very nice. Staff was all very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. And of course they had a cool wine dog there. Have to have a wine dog at a winery.
We had the kids with us and they made us feel very welcome. I even joined the wine club — the wines were that good. I’m so happy to have found another really good winery in The Gorge. My other favorite is Syncline, which we have been customers of since 2003. I hope AniChe continues to produce the quality of wines we tasted during our visit. I love supporting local businesses like this — and with wines this good, we will give them plenty of support!

A small family owned winery with unpretentious charm. It’s a short drive across the bridge from Hood River City and well worth it (the long driveway is gravel, so leave the heels at home). We tasted 5 – 6 amazing varieties at a ridiculously reasonable price. I never liked reds until I tried them paired with small bites here. The owners and an adorbale black lab greet you when you arrive. There’s picnic bench seating with arbors and a patio just outside the barnstyle wine house. You’re allowed to bring some of your own snacks or lunch but they pair the wines with figs and prosciutto, nuts and cheeses, etc. When they pour, they explain the wines in terms I could understand (thank you!). There’s an open grass area just across the driveway where you can take in the breathtaking Columbia Gorge (photo ops galore). They hold weddings and events there too. Please… leave those kids at home and come for a girls day out or with your sweetheart. I want to go back (with a baguette this time). Cheers!

Fantastic view and the wines are wonderful. $ 5 for wine tasting paired with food. Wonderful compliment of the wines. Happened to stumble upon this winery on a weekend trip to Hood River. Fell in love instantly and became a wine club memeber as well.

AniChe has officially won the title of my favorite winery. I stopped into this gem of a spot on Valentines Day. I was blown away by their wines, all of which are named after literary references (I could stop there and you’d understand why I already adore this place.)
There’s a good mix of white and red wines to sample. I’m usually a red-​purist, but the white ones of AniChe are more complex than your average white. I was surprised by them and would happily branch out and try more whites if they were all this good. The reds were spectacular– I ended up going home with a bottle of Atticus.
Apart from the wines, the best part was the wonderful woman serving them. Ani not only knew those wines inside and out, but was also funny, personable, and great fun to talk to. The conversation ranged from the aeration techniques, new v. old theories of wine making, and the Blue Fugates (which is a real, live family of blue hued people.) She was pretty amazing, and completely made the experience for me.
Come here for great wine, fun conversation, and breathtaking views. AniChe has got it all.

Our final stop on our wine tasting trip left something to be desired. We were thrilled that unlike most wineries, AniChe stayed open until 6pm and we raced to get here in time to try a flight. Unfortunately, the girl working the tasting room was not as thrilled as we were that we showed up at 5:45pm. I know, I get it, it sucks that we got there when we did but honestly just let us know that you are done for the evening rather than rush us through a tasting.
We received very brief descriptions of the wines and despite probing questions it was obvious that she just wanted us out of there. When I purchased a bottle of the Three Witches I asked if there is a preferred year that I should open and was told that «they wouldn’t sell a bottle of wine if it wasn’t ready to drink». Yes, I get that it is going to be fine to drink but I also know that there is going to be a peak year in which I should drink it. If the answer to that question is 2013 then just tell me 2013 without being snotty about it.
To top off our brief time here, this was the only winery that, even though we both purchased a bottle of wine were still charged the tasting fee. This was a first for me when wine tasting in the Columbia Gorge and irritating when comparing the experience to the other wineries that we visited on the day who did not charge us.

Wonderful Wine. Beautiful location. Rachel is the best. She’s extremely knowledgeable and personable. All her wines have a literary reference. So if you’re a lit fan and enjoy wine this is the place for you. I’d go back in a heartbeat and if I were closer would love to attend one of their dinners. Bonus: there are food pairings with your tasting.

Stunning views from this winery, and top notch wines from winemaker Rachael Horn with her amazing team. Everyone is so friendly. The winery welcomes dogs and children. Lovely pergola to sit under, sipping their Come & Go on a summer day. Love it.

This winery is located far and away up the hills overlooking the gorge. It is worth the beautiful drive. The wines are excellent-​we joined their club immediately. They taste with food pairings which enhances their wines. Wonderful family, wonderful wine!

I was in Portland on a sat and was heading out to the Columbia Gorge AVA to check out some wineries. So I decided to call a few to make sure that they were open since it was in Feb and a lot of wine makers take their vacations in the low season.
I first spoke to Rachael of Aniche cellars. She politely told me that they were closed but gave me some recommendations on other places to go that fit my taste in wines.
We chatted for a while and I mentioned that I do wine education part time at home in Chicago. Then she relented and told me that I was welcome to stop by and try a few of their wines that were already open as she’d be working in the cellar anyway. I accepted her kind offer and was on my way. I took US 84 which follows the Columbia river which was a wonderful drive. Then I crossed the bridge over the Columbia at Hood River, OR which was an awesome crossing.
I was using a Garmin navigation system and it had me going up Hwy 141 alternative on the east side of the White Salmon River. I got lost, but what a wonderful area to get lost in. I eventually stopped by a home and a very friendly old couple explained how to get to the winery on the west side of the river. They told me about the blowing up of the 100yr old dam in order to let the salmon run up stream. Rather controversial. But I digress.
I finally found the winery and Rachael with two other tasters. I tasted two reds and two white. I bought the two whites, an Alberino and a Marsanne/​Rousanne mix. I also got to try a barrel sample of their Sangiovese rose which was very nice but not for sale at the time. I brought the Marsanne/​Rousanne mix to a blind tasting and people really liked it. It was great to talk to Rachael about her wine making philosophy. I learned a lot. If I ever get back to the area, I’m stopping by again for sure.

Went on a wine tour on Saturday and stopped by this gem of a winery. Truly impressed with the amount of time the winemaker spent with us. Made us feel very welcome. Her wines are wonderful. We became wine club members! We’ll be back. Give this place a try!

One of the great things about tasting in the Gorge is the varied varietals you’ll enjoy. Aniche does not disappoint. I don’t know of any other Gorge wineries making Albariño, and winemaker/​owner Rachael Horn’s version is impressive. Aniche offers primarily Rhone-​style red blends and a selection of refreshing whites. Both the view and the wines are stunning here. Don’t miss it.

Incredible wine produced by incredible people. A must see when visiting the Gorge and Hood River. Beautiful wines and breathtaking views. I highly recommend a visit here.