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Natural Grocers expands craft beer and wine concept
New Cottage Wine and Craft Beer sections to open in coming weeks
Russell Redman
May 31, 2018
2 Min Read
Natural Grocers is bringing its Cottage Wine and Craft Beer department to more locations.
The natural and organic grocery chain said the concept will launch in Oregon at its stores in Medford on June 13, Gresham on June 20, Beaverton on July 11, and Portland and Warrenton later this summer.
Described by the company as a “nook within the store,” the Natural Grocers Cottage Wine and Craft Beer section offers an assortment of specialty alcoholic beverages, including local, organic and gluten-free beer, organic and biodynamic wine, local hard cider and alcoholic kombucha.
With the expansion, the craft beer and wine department will be in seven stores overall. The concept made its debut last August in Denver and notched its second location this year at the May 16 opening of Natural Grocers’ new store in Coos Bay, Ore.
"From produce to supplements, every product we sell meets rigorous quality standards, and our wine and craft beer offerings are no exception," Co-President Kemper Isely said in a statement. "Oregon residents can trust that we've done our homework to source only the highest-quality craft beer, wine and more to their neighborhood store, and we believe they won't find this anywhere else."
Natural Grocers noted that it focuses on local products in the Cottage Wine and Craft Beer area to showcase beer and wine producers that commit to high quality standards and certifications. The chain said it only will sell wine that is made with organic grapes, USDA Certified Organic (or equivalent) or certified Demeter Biodynamic.
All wine is non-genetically modified (non-GMO), while all beer and cider must be made in the Pacific Northwest, certified USDA Organic or gluten-free, Natural Grocers said. The retailer’s 12 stores in Oregon also offer 100% organic produce; meat that’s humanely raised without antibiotics, hormones or other growth promoters; 100% free-range eggs; 100% pasture-based dairy; GMO-free, prepackaged bulk products; and groceries with no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives.
Overall, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc. operates 147 stores in 19 states.
