Salem's #1 Wine Bistro, 30 Years Strong, $678K Revenue in 2025
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Santiam Wine & Bistro has been a fixture of Salem's dining and wine scene since 1995, generating $678,684 in gross revenue in 2025 and $97,822 in SDE. COGS were tightened, and margins increased in 2025, which proved to be the right move for the bottom line. It's a hybrid business by design: half specialty wine retailer, half bistro, and the combination is what makes it resilient and hard to replicate.
On the retail side, the shop carries a curated selection of global and Northwest wines, artisanal olive oils, balsamic vinegars, specialty salts, and local cheeses, plus ready-made meat and cheese platters that sell themselves to time-strapped customers. The bistro side keeps the menu tight and wine-forward: shrimp cocktail, blackened sea scallops, soups, and sandwiches, built for pairing rather than competing with a full-service kitchen.
Revenue comes from multiple streams rather than one, including retail sales, dine-in, monthly tastings, private events, and a recurring "Cheap & Cheerful" six-pack promotion. The business holds a 4.2/5 rating on Yelp and 4.6/5 on TripAdvisor, and ranks among the top 20% of restaurants in Salem.
On the retail side, the shop carries a curated selection of global and Northwest wines, artisanal olive oils, balsamic vinegars, specialty salts, and local cheeses, plus ready-made meat and cheese platters that sell themselves to time-strapped customers. The bistro side keeps the menu tight and wine-forward: shrimp cocktail, blackened sea scallops, soups, and sandwiches, built for pairing rather than competing with a full-service kitchen.
Revenue comes from multiple streams rather than one, including retail sales, dine-in, monthly tastings, private events, and a recurring "Cheap & Cheerful" six-pack promotion. The business holds a 4.2/5 rating on Yelp and 4.6/5 on TripAdvisor, and ranks among the top 20% of restaurants in Salem.
About the Business
- Years in Operation
- 31
- Employees
- 7 (5 Full-time, 2 Part-time)
All staff wishing to remain, strong manager - Facilities & Assets
- 2,400 SF space with easy access and parking, laid out for both retail display and dining/tasting
FF&E valued at $82,400, including refrigeration, wine racks, ovens, grills, a sandwich station, and a $20,000 Franke coffee machine with neon signage
$37,756 in wholesale wine and specialty food inventory included in the asking price
Established digital assets: website, social media presence, and a loyal customer mailing list
Transferable lease with renewal options through May 2028 at $2,418/month (3% annual escalation)
Adjacent 2,400 SF vacant unit available for expansion - Website
- Show Website URL
- Market Outlook / Competition
- Oregon's wine industry contributes $7.2B to a U.S. market worth roughly $70B and growing 3-5% annually, with the Willamette Valley recognized as a leading boutique wine region. Demand in the Salem area is driven by both tourism and a strong local customer base seeking accessible, quality wine experiences.
Direct competition is limited: the Valley typically has just 0-2 comparable wine bistro or tasting room listings active at any given time, a real supply gap for buyers. For context, a comparable bistro in McMinnville is priced at $1,995,000 (3-4x SDE, includes real estate), and a Carlton tasting room sold in the $295,000 range (4-5x SDE). Santiam's established ratings and three-decade track record put it in a strong competitive position within that scarce field. - Opportunities for Growth
- There's clear upside for a hands-on buyer:
Reinstating the pre-COVID Friday wine tasting series, a low-cost initiative that could meaningfully grow gross profit using the existing mailing list
Opening earlier to serve coffee and breakfast items, leveraging the already-owned $20,000 Franke machine to capture the commuter crowd (potential 20-30% revenue lift)
Expanding into the adjacent 2,400 SF vacant unit
Building out digital and subscription sales (online wine sales, recurring "Cheap & Cheerful" box subscriptions)
With focused execution on these levers, revenue could realistically approach $800K within 2-3 years.
Real Estate
- Owned or Leased
- Leased
- Building Sq. Ft.
- 2,400
- Rent
- $2,418 per month
- Lease Expiration
- 5/31/2028
About the Sale
- Seller Motivation
- Retirement after 30 years of ownership.
- Transition Support
- The owner is committed to a smooth transition and is offering 30-60 days of hands-on training, negotiable based on the buyer's experience. Training covers wine sourcing and supplier relationships, inventory management, menu prep, event planning, and daily operations, backed by 30 years of firsthand experience, pairing knowledge, and community relationships. All 7 employees, including the long-time bistro manager, are willing to stay on, which significantly de-risks the handover.
- Financing Options
- SBA Eligible
Listing Info
- ID
- 2542659
- Listing Views
Listing ID: 2542659 The information on this listing has been provided by either the seller or a business broker representing the seller. BizQuest has no interest or stake in the sale of this business and has not verified any of the information and assumes no responsibility for its accuracy, veracity, or completeness. See our full Terms of Use. Learn how to avoid scams.
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