HOOD RIVER — After a grand opening party on Dec. 15, there is officially a new wine store on The Heights: Cork Wine Shop.
With bottles to-go or selections by-the-glass, the shop has been open since late fall 2023, and has already had overwhelming support.
Owned by Dave Nagengast, Cork has a diverse selection of wines that range from under $20 to $100. They offer varieties from all regions in the hopes that customers can always a find a wine that fits their occasion.
“The goal is to create a neighborhood wine shop that brings special and unique wines to the community at a price everyone can afford,” Nagengast said.
He also explained that, while they lean in the direction of a natural wine shop, they sell many wines that fall outside of that parameter. The wines that make the cut at Cork are responsibly farmed, authentically produced, and easy to enjoy.
Long before opening Cork, Nagengast studied restaurant management in college before spending many years learning and refining his love of food. Though he didn’t love wine immediately, he developed an appreciation for it after working alongside mentors like Curly Shea in Big Sky, Mont.
“He doesn’t know it but that guy taught me so much, not only about wine but how to treat people and make them feel welcome,” Nagengast said.
Snowboarding by day and bartending by night, he enjoyed tasting wine with his boss and learning about the winemaking process.
Nagengast eventually took courses through the Society of Wine Educators and Court of Master Sommeliers before working as a wine director and sommelier himself at a few restaurants near Reno and Tahoe. He grew to love the way wine connects and represents people, cultures, and regions.
For a period in 2015 and until recently, Nagengast left the restaurant industry to work for the clothing company Patagonia. He found it a supportive company to work for while helping raise his children, and eventually had the chance to meet Founder Yvon Chouinard, another inspirational figure.
“We made a brief connection over wine one evening and a few months later he sent me off on a flight to Germany to find a wine for the Patagonia Provisions label,” Nagengast said. “It’s ironic one of my wine career highlights was while not working in the wine industry.”
Nagengast moved to Parkdale with his wife and two children in 2020 and Cork Wine Shop eventually followed. “We’ve lived in some amazing small towns with tight-knit communities, but nothing compares to the community here in Hood River,” he said.
Customers visit from the Heights just as much as from other towns in the Gorge and they are happy to see a wine shop on the block.
The grand opening in December was a success, featuring wines from Loop de Loop in Underwood, a spread of fine cheeses, and plenty of community support. Nagengast hopes to host similar future events to showcase small wine producers who lack their own tasting rooms.
His wine shop feels like a part of the neighborhood and he has begun dreaming of new ways to expand the business, including meeting with a cheese importer and distributor from Portland. Nagengast plans to bring in both domestic and imported cheeses so that guests can enjoy tasty pairings at the shop.
Cork offers two wine club memberships that come with benefits like discounts on bottles and free tastings at events. They are located at 1106 12th St., Hood River and are open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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