Rubato Studio Opened Tasting Room in Central Eastside
Owners Kenzie and Sam Traver Fae brought wine tastings to the Juice Blocks for $25 starting in early September 2026.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Wine
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Wine enthusiasts can now visit the new Rubato Studio tasting room at 109 SE Salmon, which opened in early September 2026 within the collaborative warehouse space known as the Juice Blocks. The studio offers a modest setting for tasting wines produced in partnership with Division Winemaking Company.
Why it matters
The opening represents a trend of boutique wine producers moving into the Central Eastside to create approachable, low-pressure tasting environments. Owners Kenzie Bindrup Fae and Sam Traver Fae intend to minimize the typical pretentiousness associated with wine tasting.
The tasting room serves 8 guests at a time with a $25 tasting fee and $26 bottle price, maintaining a small footprint compared to larger area wineries. Future plans to increase seating and event space are currently under development.
The players
Kenzie Bindrup Fae
The co-owner of the newly opened Rubato Studio tasting room.
Sam Traver Fae
The co-owner of the newly opened Rubato Studio tasting room.
Kevin Nguyen Do
A collaborator who helped develop the current food menu.
Division Winemaking Company
The winemaking partner that produced the wine for Rubato.
The details
Rubato Studio operates within the Juice Blocks, a hub shared with Statera Cellars, Idle Time, Jac + James Wine Co, and Sake Desu. The studio grew out of a house wine project originally developed for Daydream. While the current food menu was created in collaboration with Kevin Nguyen Do, the owners are working on an expansion to include medium-to-large plates by this winter. Reservations must be managed via direct message on Instagram.
Timeline
Rubato Studio opened its tasting room in early September 2026.
The owners plan to expand the food menu to include larger plates in winter.
Beyond the Bridges
This opening follows the established pattern of boutique wineries moving into Central Eastside warehouses to share resources and target urban foot traffic. It extends the trend of micro-tasting rooms replacing traditional sprawling vineyard tasting experiences.
Visitors looking for an intimate tasting experience can book a slot for $25 by direct messaging the studio on Instagram. Commuters or residents visiting the 109 SE Salmon location should note that the current space is limited to eight guests at a time.
The takeaway
The studio offers an approachable way to taste locally produced wines in a shared warehouse environment. Keep an eye on their social media for updates regarding the winter menu expansion and event space improvements.
What happens next
The owners are currently working to increase signage and seating while preparing for a menu expansion scheduled for winter.
Further reading
For more on the local beverage scene, explore our Wine coverage.
More information
To see current hours or contact the studio, visit the Rubato Wines official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Portland Mercury.
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