Linfield University will take over the former Elena’s wine bar space at Third and Ford streets and reopen it as a wine bar and learning lab for its interdisciplinary wine studies program.
Students from wine studies and other majors will design and operate the wine bar, and those 21 and older will work there for pay or academic credit, said Tim Matz, director of the Evenstad Center for Wine Education and Domaine Serene Chair at Linfield.
“Experiential learning,” he called it, noting that this “unique learning lab” will be another asset in the program that leads students to find “meaningful jobs with a future” in the worldwide wine industry.
He said they are hoping to open the business Dec. 1, or earlier if licensing and other details are wrapped up. But it might be January, as well.
“We’ve gotten great support among the community,” Matz said, indicating the move will strengthen the relationship between town and gown as well as between Linfield and area wineries.
Tim Matz, director of Linfield University’s wine studies program, stands in front of RJ Studios, the former Elena’s wine bar. The photography gallery will move back into the rear of the building as Linfield students plan and reopen the wine bar under another name. Rusty Rae/News-Register
Elena’s, named for a motorcycle in turn named for a Russian spy, opened in June 2021 at the corner of Third and Ford streets. It quickly became a popular spot for locals and visitors.
But it closed suddenly at the beginning of February, and despite signs indicating the closure was temporary, never reopened.
Several months later, RJ Photography expanded from the rear of the building into the front, where the wine bar had been — and where the photo studio’s gallery had been prior to Elena’s.
RJ will continue to occupy the rear of the building as Linfield students open the new wine bar up front.
They will choose a new name, as well, Matz said. Several names are being discussed, he said, including “Oak & Vine on Third Street,” a play on the name of Linfield’s wine club.
The new wine bar also will serve as a venue for events, such as gathering for members of one of Linfield’s departments or an alumni activity hosted by President Miles Davis.
Matz said a student committee will be formed to develop the wine bar after classes start Monday. The committee, like other aspects of the learning lab, will include students from various majors, in addition to those in undergrad or graduate wine studies courses, he said.
For instance, accounting students will be involved in keeping the books; art students will help design the look of the businesses, and will have a chance to display their work there; music students will perform at the wine bar on Sunday afternoons.
The Linfield wine bar will be managed by Stephanie Mitchell, who is a student in the new Master of Science in wine business leadership program, which starts Monday.
Matz, who will help oversee the new venture, joined Linfield in September 2021. He had been in the wine industry for many years before becoming part of the academic side.
Several donors have contributed to the new wine bar/learning lab. Matz said the wine studies program is always seeking more support.
Linfield also is in the process of getting a winery license, which will allow students to make wine in partnership with a local producer. Matz said they currently make samples of wine, but in the future will be able to produce, bottle and sell their products.
For more information, he can be reached at 503-883-2218.
Reprinted with permission of the News-Register. By Starla Pointer, Aug. 25, 2022.