Tempus Cellars opens tasting room in downtown Spokane

Tempus Cellars has opened in downtown Spokane.

The Walla Walla-based winery held a soft launch Friday and Saturday. Plans call for remaining open those two days per week through May.

A grand opening celebration is in the works for June, when hours are slated to expand, said winemaker and owner Joe Forest. He’s hoping to eventually add charcuterie and keep the tasting room open five days a week.

But to start, hours are noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Meantime, look for a “very dry” riesling, “very good” Yakima Valley grenache and a cabernet that comes from fruit from 45-year-old vines.

Forest founded Tempus in 2006. His wife Mollie Delaney Forest grew up in Spokane’s South Hill. “We’ve been wanting to open a tasting room in Spokane for some time,” he said.

Tempus is at 8 N. Post St. Suite 8. Call (509) 270-0298. On the web: http://www.tempuscellars.com/