Spring 2024, Angoor Wine Bar will open at 120 Fore Street with a futuristic concept – self-pour wines.
Angoor will feature a selection of 32 – 48 different rotating wines, each available to sample in 2, 4, or 6oz. pours. Guests will be able to select wines at their own pace and taste through as many wines as they’d like.
The name Angoor comes from the Indian word for grape, a nod to co-founder Sangeeta Nasiff’s heritage. Meanwhile, the red white, and blue in the logo references the Puerto Rican flag, inspired by her partner Rafael Dones’ background.
Rafael Dones and Sangeeta Nasiff were neighbors who fell in love over dog walks and cross-porch conversations. One night, after sharing a bottle of wine, they took their relationship from friendship to romance. Since then, they have traveled extensively together, exploring vineyards and discussing Sangeeta’s long-held dream of opening a wine bar. After Sangeeta brought Rafael to Portland, they knew they needed to follow their dream and open their wine bar right here, on the water.
“We just want to share our love for wine and culture,” says Sangeeta. They plan to feature wines from all over the world – not just well-known wine-producing regions like California and South Africa, but India, Puerto Rico, and South America as well. “Because of our diverse backgrounds, we want wines from all over the world” Rafael asserts.
Guests will be able to browse wine offerings on their own and choose tasting pours of any selection, so wine aficionados and newcomers alike will have the opportunity to enjoy their favorites or explore wines new to them. Behind the bar, local craft beer and cocktails will also be available for those interested in options other than wine.
Sangeeta and Rafael are partnering with local businesses to provide an opening menu of multicultural appetizers, including cheese and charcuterie boards made with selections from The Cheese Shop, empanadas from Empanada Club, Indian tapas from Hi Bombay, and desserts from Two Fat Cats. “We want people to be able to lounge and drink and eat at their pace,” says Rafael.
With interior design help from Erin Dorrance with West Elm, Nasiff also sought advice from HGTV TV Designer, Taniya Nayak, “Many people will have an opinion on how your wine bar should look and feel, but you need to do what feels right for you, it’s your vision.”
Angoor’s buildout is slated to start in spring 2024 with a May/June opening.
