What is Pierce County’s ‘hidden harbor’? A place to unwind with Washington state wine

A new wine bar and bottle shop hopes to attract more locals and visitors alike to the “quiet” side of Gig Harbor while filling a void for a grape-focused hangout.

Hidden Harbor Wine Library opened Aug. 29 at 8805 North Harborview Dr., where a curated selection of strictly Washington wines enjoyed in a breezy atmosphere await. As a bonus, the spacious room leads to an unexpected balcony with an idyllic view, and there is a noted effort toward nonalcoholic options.

Owners Gary Butler and Kim Tran, both raised in the region, moved to town about six years ago, in part to be nearer to his parents. They love living in Gig Harbor, they said, but they immediately felt something was missing.

There were breweries and taprooms, restaurants for every meal and bars where kids couldn’t go, but where was the wine?

In their previous homes in and around Seattle, the couple had grown fond of Woodinville, where they would frequently explore the dozens of winery tasting rooms (now upwards of 130) with friends. They loved the casual nature of those visits — that they were neither restaurant nor bar, and they didn’t focus on cocktails or beer.

“There just wasn’t a place to just hang out … with wine,” said Tran, who, incidentally, doesn’t drink due to an allergy. That twist has translated to a few bottles on the shelves of nonacloholic wines including Seattle’s Joyus.

“It was a gap that we found in Gig Harbor,” added Butler, who said the reception from neighbors even in just the first two weeks has assured them it is a worthy pursuit.

The journey began almost immediately after the move, they said, but they weren’t in a rush. Amid their search for the right location, Pierce County has seen an influx of wineries and wine-focused outfits. In Gig Harbor, Cuvée Wine Shop opened last year on Judson Street, and Gig Harbor Wine Co. debuted this summer. In Tacoma, several wineries have landed, including Dahlman Cellars, Structure Cellars and Water from Wine.

BRINGING WINE TO THE HARBOR

Tran noticed the for-rent sign in this old office unit last year, and they pounced on it. They removed the drop ceiling to reveal wooden beams, including a vaulted area near the entrance, original to the 1945 building. They painted the walls a pretty blue — “I thought it looked like the water,” said Tran — and they arranged throw rugs with dining tables and a few lounge areas with leather chairs and sofas.

“We wanted almost a lounge-y vibe,” said Butler.

You can peruse the “wine library” along the walls and order a glass or bottle at the counter, where your guides will kindly offer tastes.

That’s key to the Hidden Harbor experience, they said: to find a Washington wine you love that you might not be able to try pressure-free elsewhere. Then, noted Tran, you might take that knowledge and dive deeper into that winery through a visit to the tasting room in Woodinville or the vineyards in Eastern Washington.

Their daughter, Alexandria, is also a partner in the business. She studied viticulture at the University of California-Davis and soon will move north from Napa Valley to join her parents full-time at the new shop. The wine list is all her — note the spectacles next to her favorites.

Her goal, explained Tran, was to build a “well-balanced list” that highlights the best of Washington wine.

The opening list, available by the glass or bottle, features a Chenin blanc and riesling from Kiona Vineyards (Red Mountain AVA) as well as the crisp albariño from Tacoma’s Dahlman Cellars. In the rosé section, compare one made with sangiovese to another of merlot. For reds, try the chilled gamay from Gorgiste, a small producer in the Columbia Gorge, or the unusual Katydid, a red blend from Domaine Pouillon, which specializes in Rhône-style wines.

Sticking with the library theme, there is a modest but growing bookshelf with titles about Washington, the Pacific Northwest, wine and more. They are also planning a wine club, in which members will receive a “library card” that will be stored in a vintage card catalog and their “borrowing” tracked on a to-be-created Dewey decimal-type system.

“You can grab a book, or you can ruffle through the library,” said Butler, who gave Tran credit for the idea.”It also points to: It’s a relaxing place.”

The name also references a History Link essay recounting the town’s late start, as explorers first landed in Wollochet Bay in the late 1790s before noticing, or perhaps accidentally slipping past, the spit into what would become known as Gig Harbor 50 years later.

HIDDEN HARBOR WINE LIBRARY

▪ 8805 N. Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, 253-313-0572, hiddenharbor.wine

▪ Monday & Thursday-Friday 3-7 p.m., Friday noon-7 p.m., Sunday noon-6 p.m. (closed Tuesday-Wednesday; closing times are “-ish”)

▪ Details: wine by the glass (most $10-$18) or bottle (most $26-$75) in living-room/cafe-style setting, plus retail sales

This story was originally published September 12, 2024 at 9:00 AM.