Smoked Meat, Willamette Valley Wines — Unlikely Combo
· Newberg · Barbecue · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · September 19, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Storrs Smokehouse’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walking into a smokehouse and finding Oregon wine on the list is the kind of pleasant surprise that makes a Tuesday feel worthwhile. Storrs is a down-to-earth, busy little spot — think picnic-table energy, not white tablecloth — so the fact that there's any wine program at all earns it some immediate goodwill. The Willamette Valley is basically in the backyard here, which means the local angle feels genuine rather than gimmicky.
We don't have the full list in hand, but the region focus tells the story: this is Oregon wine country, and Storrs leans into that. Expect the kind of short, locally anchored selection you'd see at a place that cares just enough — a few Pinot Noirs, maybe a white or two, nothing sprawling. It's not a deep cellar situation, but a small, thoughtful list built around what grows nearby is more honest than a bloated binder full of generic California imports. The gaps are real — if you want Champagne or a deep Old World bench, you're in the wrong building.
Specifics on the by-the-glass program aren't confirmed from our sources, so we can't tell you exactly how many pours or which bottles are open. What we can say is that a spot this casual and this small typically runs a tight glass program — a handful of options at most. If Oregon Pinot by the glass is available, that's the move.
The Bottom Line
Storrs Smokehouse is a Wild Card in the truest sense: a no-frills BBQ joint sitting in one of the best wine regions in the country, doing something quietly interesting with a local-leaning list. We'd send a wine-curious friend here without hesitation — just go in knowing you're choosing adventure over depth, and let the smoked meat do the heavy lifting.
· Newberg · Winery Dinner Series
Nicolas-Jay's dinner series is a deep dive into a single producer's range, and if you're already a fan — or curious enough to become one — the pricing is honest and the single-vineyard Pinot lineup at $110 is competitive for what's in the glass. Just know what you're signing up for: this is a one-artist show, not a greatest-hits compilation. If mono-producer focus sounds like a feature rather than a bug, you're in the right place.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Eola-Amity Hills / Newberg · Newberg · Wine Tasting Room
Varnum Vintners is the kind of small Oregon producer tasting room that rewards curious drinkers willing to lean into something a little different — primarily bubbles, zero pretension, and prices that won't make you wince. If you're doing the Eola-Amity Hills wine trail and want to veer off the Pinot-only path, stop here.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Proper
Downtown Newberg · Newberg · Wine Bar / Tasting Room
This isn't a wine list — it's a masterclass in one winery's output, and Chehalem has more than enough depth to make that a worthwhile trip. If you're in the Willamette Valley and haven't booked a flight here yet, fix that.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
North Newberg · Newberg · Bar & Grill
Jay's is a perfectly decent neighborhood hangout where wine is an afterthought — and that's fine, except you're in Newberg, Oregon, surrounded by world-class Pinot Noir producers who'd love to be on a list like this. If you're here for the wings and a cold drink, you're in the right place; if you came for the wine, you took a wrong turn about three exits back.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Newberg / Allison Inn area · Newberg · Hotel Bar / Lounge
The Allison's bar and lounge is doing something genuinely rare: a grower Champagne program deep enough to anchor a dedicated wine bar, bolted onto a luxury hotel in the Willamette Valley. If you're anywhere near Newberg, this is worth the detour — ideally timed to the 2 p.m. Happy Hour.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Chehalem Glenn / East Newberg · Newberg · Grill / American
Come here for the golf, the views, and a cold beer after your round — the wine list is an afterthought in one of America's great wine regions, and that's a shame. If you must order wine, grab the Rainstorm Pinot and appreciate the irony of drinking Oregon on an Oregon golf course while a hundred better bottles go unpoured nearby.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Peoria · Peoria · Barbecue
Come to The Blue Duck for the ribs, the whiskey, and the riverfront view — not the wine list. If wine is your thing, order the Decoy and move on; if it's not, you're in the right place anyway.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Overland Park · Overland Park · Barbecue
Jack Stack isn't a wine destination, but it's not trying to be one — and within those limits, it does a respectable job. Stick to the lower half of the price range, order the Pinot or the Rosé, and let the smoked meat do the real work.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hoboken Waterfront · Jersey City · Barbecue
House of 'Que is a genuinely fun spot for barbecue and live music — just don't come here expecting wine to be part of the experience. Order a beer, eat the brisket, and save your wine night for somewhere that cares.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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