Enjoy ‘corkage-free’ Barrister while dining

Corkage fee is becoming “corkage-free” at some Spokane restaurants.

Barrister Winery is working with several local restaurant owners who have agreed to waive a corkage fee – usually $10 to $15 – when diners bring in wine purchased at Barrister Winery’s downtown tasting room.

The “Wine Local and Dine Local” program begins Saturday.

“The idea is to encourage our customers to take advantage of the wonderful restaurants Spokane has to offer,” Greg Lipsker, one of the owners and winemakers at Barrister, said in a news release.

His business partner and fellow winemaker Michael White said they hope it will inspire wine tourists, as well as locals, to eat at Spokane restaurants.

Barrister owners said they modeled the program after similar corkage-free policies in Yakima and the East Bay of San Francisco.

Participating restaurants include: Moxie, 816 W. Sprague Ave.; Santé Restaurant and Charcuterie, 404 W. Main Ave.; Scratch, 1007 W. First Ave.; Wild Sage Bistro, 916 W. Second Ave.; Ambrosia Bistro, 9211 E. Montgomery Ave.; Luna, 5620 S. Perry St.; and the Downriver Grill, 3315 W. Northwest Blvd.

Barrister Winery is at 1213 W. Railroad Ave. in the Davenport Arts District in downtown Spokane. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon until 5 p.m. and until 10 p.m. on First Fridays.

For more information, call (509) 993-9310.