Arbor Crest Wine Cellars & the Cliff House
Wine and a long view of the valley from a 1920s clifftop estate
Arbor Crest is the winery to visit if you want the setting as much as the wine. The Cliff House Tasting Room sits at the top of a basalt cliff, with open views across the Spokane Valley and the river below.
The estate is a historic property, built in the 1920s by Royal Riblet, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can taste on the terrace, have tapas, and spend an afternoon there.
It is a 21-and-over venue, with no exceptions, so plan accordingly. The estate hosts summer concerts and winter music nights, which are worth checking for.
What to see and do
The main draw. You look out over the Spokane Valley and the river from a position about 400 feet above them.
Wines are available by the glass or bottle daily, and flight tastings run until 4:30 pm.
Mediterranean-style tapas and shareable plates are on the menu.
Summer concerts and an After Hours music series from October to April. Check the calendar for dates and ticket prices.
Visit Spokane notes Wine Spectator named Arbor Crest one of 50 Great Producers Every Wine Lover Should Know.
Local tips
- Everyone must be 21 or older, with valid ID. That includes infants and children.
- Pets are not allowed, though trained service animals are. Outside alcohol is prohibited.
- Hours vary by season and event. The listed tasting hours were noon to 5 pm daily, with later hours some evenings. Check current hours.
- Flights run noon to 4:30 pm, ending an hour before evening concerts.
- Go late afternoon for the best light across the valley.
- Arrange a designated driver or ride. The estate is outside town, up a hill.
- Check the events page. October brings Oktoberfest, and a holiday art show is listed for November 7-8.
A little history
The estate was built in 1924-25 by Royal Newton Riblet, who with his brother Byron ran the Riblet Tramway Company and helped develop the modern ski lift. Riblet called the place his Eagle's Nest and kept adding to the grounds, including a gatehouse, a pool and a croquet court. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, started by the Mielke family, bought the estate in 1984 and has made it the winery's home. A fire in December 2009 gutted the Cliff House, which was later rebuilt and reopened to the public.
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Photos
Happening nearby
Questions visitors ask
Are children allowed at Arbor Crest?
No. Everyone on the estate must be 21 or older with valid ID, including infants.
What are Arbor Crest's tasting hours?
They were listed as noon to 5 pm daily with later hours some evenings. Check current hours.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed. Trained service animals are.
Can I bring my own wine or alcohol?
No. Outside alcohol is prohibited on the property.
What is the Cliff House?
It is the historic 1920s estate house at Arbor Crest, now the winery's tasting room, on a cliff above the Spokane Valley.
