When Kelsey Daniels moved to Bend, she imagined creating a wine haven where she could share her love of viticulture. Here, she would hand-select rare finds and pours that she deemed the best. In 2021, she set out to open Flights Wine Bar to do just that.
Thanks to the nearby vineyards producing world-class wines, and a shift in wine interest over the past few years, the local wine scene in Bend has erupted. Combined with organic farm-to-table experiences, Bend becomes a definitive choice for those who want to eat good food and sip Oregon wine. Since its inception, Flights Wine Bar has set the—bar—for wine lounges in Central Oregon.
Kelsey’s Incredible Journey
Imagine transitioning from a film and TV production manager and plating cheese boards to becoming a wine specialist. That’s Kelsey Daniels’ journey, and it explains where she is today. Production was her career; wine was her passion.
With a quest to visit local wine regions, Daniels wanted to experience what they each had to offer. But she didn’t just sip wine; she developed a deep understanding by visiting various tasting rooms and workshops. Slowly, her reservoir of wine knowledge kept expanding. She knew it was time for a change.
“It all started as a complete pipe dream to own my own wine bar and restaurant. But once I started down the path and did the Court of Masters Intro Sommelier course and exam, I immediately knew I couldn’t stop,” says Daniels. “I was addicted to studying wine.”
However, she didn’t start by owning a shiny new restaurant. To get to know wine, she sought out one of the best wine bars in her Claremont, California, neighborhood. Working alongside wine experts allowed Daniels to immerse herself into the world of wine, soaking up knowledge at every turn.
Daniels continued her education and now holds several certifications, including Certified Sommelier, WSET 3 (Wine & Spirit Education Trust), Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), and Oregon Wine Expert.
Flights Wine Bar: Her Own Wine Haven
Flights Wine Bar is what Daniels has always wanted in a wine-tasting room: a place where you can relax at the end of a tiresome day with a glass of wine in your hand. Your friends sit by your side as you discuss your day and watch the night claiming its space. It’s not a fancy restaurant; it is a cozy lounge where you can sip on wines from local bubbles to imports from Burgundy, France.
The Flights
Take a trip through various wine countries with the Flights experience. Daniels’ iteration of Wine Flights allows guests to try new wines from around the world through a series of tastings. This double entendre pays homage to flights of wine and Daniels’ husband, a local helicopter pilot.
More than 20 wines are available in this concept, offering refined taste from all over the world. Some prominent examples include Penner-Ash Viognier (OR) ‘23, Bedrock ‘Evangelho’ Zinfandel (CA) ‘22, CADE Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, ‘20, Sparkling Shiraz (Australia) NV, and many more.
Daniels diligently applies her extensive wine knowledge to help customers find their favorite wine. Flights Wine Bar offers various experiences like “The Light Side” and “The Dark Side” which offer white and red pours, respectively. Wine Flights also offer experiences that highlight “local-ish” wines, and pours from international wine regions.
Private Dining
Ah, the aroma of delicious food with sips of fine wine is a heavenly combination, isn’t it? Whether celebrating a special occasion with the family, hosting a company dinner, celebrating someone’s birthday, or spending an incredible night out with friends, customizable options ensure an unforgettable experience.
The newest addition to Flights Wine Bar, the Private Flight Lounge, offers a private dining experience for 6-20 guests. Here, you can host events with the full Flights experience in a newly renovated private space adjacent to the wine bar.
1. Family Style Menu
Flights’ crafted menu allows you savor every moment of togetherness with your family. Imagine sipping wine while enjoying delectably fried chicken and your favorite bubbles. Choose your wine pours, and savor the festivities.
2. Guest Pre-Select Menu
You can pre-select the menu at Flights Wine Bar to enjoy a more structured dining experience. Guests can pick appetizers, main courses, and desserts of their choice. This helps increase anticipation for the upcoming event while giving the whole event a touch of personalization.
3. Custom Flights
How can your dining experience be complete without the perfect wine accompanying it? You can design custom flights tailored to your menu. While sitting in Flights Wine Bar Bend, you can journey to Italy with Cabernet Sauvignons or a Chianti. Our knowledgeable staff is always ready to help you curate the perfect flight, or you can create a custom glass list showcasing your favorite wines or varietals.
4. Wine Tasting Classes
Flights Wine Bar also offers interactive wine-tasting classes. In these classes, a staff member will guide the guests through a selection of wines and educate them about their unique characteristics, production methods, ideal food pairings, and more. Whether you’re a wine veteran or a new explorer, the wine-tasting class adds an educational and fun element to your experience.
5. Hosted Full Bar Beer & Wine
We know how passionate you are about creating lasting memories with your friends, family, or guests. You can pick your favorites from a fully hosted bar tailored to your menu. Your glasses won’t run dry, as our attentive staff is always there to fill them up while you chat the night away with your loved ones.
6. Custom Cakes By Donna Britt Cooks
As they say, everything is well if it ends well. Flights Wine Bar Bend has partnered with Donna Britt Cooks, a renowned baker, to create custom cakes to give you the perfect ending. You’ll have a cake on the table that tastes exquisite and reflects your event’s theme. If you’re looking forward to celebrating the birthday of a loved one, there is nothing better than our custom cakes.
Enjoy Flights at Home
Flights takes “takeout” to another level. When you’re craving the comfort of smoked crab dip paired with a bottle of Rosé Champagne in the comfort of home, take advantage of their food and wine-by-the-bottle delivery. A flight attendant, you might say! Choose from over one hundred wines by the bottle, share plates, desserts, and even fried chicken.
Events at Flights Wine Bar
You can book reservations for gatherings at Flights Wine Bar for groups up to ten people. In addition, Flights offers outdoor reservations with comfortable seating on its dog-friendly outdoor patio, dressed with twinkling string lights and cozy heat lamps.
Regularly hosted events make for an even more immersive experience. Check out these regular festivities at Flights:
- Women Tasting Flights
- All-Day Happy Hour on Wednesdays
- Fried Chicken and Champagne Thursdays
- Winemaker dinners
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