BEST LOCAL DISTILLERY
DRY FLY DISTILLING
Fans of craft spirits from all over the nation will immediately mention Dry Fly when you tell them you’re from Spokane. Dry Fly has earned a loyal following thanks to the success of their vodka, gin and whiskeys (including the addition of an Irish-style whiskey last year). “We’re very grateful for the fans that we have,” says Dry Fly cofounder Kent Fleischmann. Those fans are grateful too, it seems, giving this award to Dry Fly once again. (MB) 2nd PLACE: Tinbender Craft Distillery; 3rd PLACE: Bardenay Distillery
BEST LOCAL DRIVE-THRU ESPRESSO
DUTCH BROTHERS
For fans of Dutch Brothers, the Oregon-based, drivethrough coffee chain with more than 200 locations throughout the West Coast (and 10 locally owned spots in the Inland Northwest alone) is about more than coffee. You’ll often find the company’s windmill logo stickered on the rear of cars — and inside those cars, you’ll probably find a cup of Dutch Brothers. (MB) 2nd PLACE: Wake Up Call; 3rd PLACE: Jacob’s Java
BEST LOCAL WINERY
BARRISTER
If you’re curious as to why Barrister Winery has become so popular in Spokane, consider that the 15-year-old outfit has more than 1,100 members in its wine club. In addition to the spacious winery on Railroad Alley in downtown Spokane, Barrister recently opened a tasting room across from the Davenport Grand Hotel on Washington Street, where it continues to emphasize customer service. “It’s important for us to have a connection with everyone who walks in. We want someone to walk away knowing that the wines are really wonderful, and also the experience is really wonderful,” says Michael White, who started Barrister with Greg Lipsker in 2001. (MB) 2nd PLACE: Arbor Crest Winery; 3rd PLACE: Latah Creek; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Coeur d’Alene Cellars
MARCH 24, 2016 INLANDER 31 DaveSmithMotors_ThankYou_032416_6H_AA.tif