Valentina’s Wine Bar – A Toast to Old Bellevue

Where old-world charm meets new-world elegance, owned and operated by a Bellevue native.

Old Bellevue gained a new gem on May 3rd with the opening of Valentina’s Wine Bar – a warm, sophisticated space that blends the timeless elegance of European wine culture with the approachable, community-centered feel of the Pacific Northwest.

Owner Valentina Montag brings a lifetime of passion for wine and hospitality to the heart of Bellevue. In college, she worked at Nordstrom, bartended, and spent time in the service, bar, and restaurant industry. She got into wine when her family bought a small wine bar on the coast called The Stowaway, one of the many ventures her dad, Garry, took on when he retired. After working there, she learned the ins and outs of running a business and discovered her love for wine.

During the pandemic, Valentina moved back to be with her family and ended up falling in love with the wine industry. They built out a bigger space for The Stowaway, and after helping run it, she knew she wanted to open something of her own, though she wasn’t sure what it would look like.

Valentina headed down to California where she managed a high-end Italian restaurant and worked alongside several wine bars. Her time in California deepened her appreciation for wine and champagne and its rich history. While there, she fell in love with old world wines, especially French and Italian, complementing her knowledge of new world wines she had gained at the coast and in California.

After unexpectedly returning to manage The Stowaway, Valentina eventually made her way back to Bellevue, where she realized it was the perfect place to open her own wine bar.

“Bellevue is such a great community: healthy, walkable, surrounded by water and parks. It felt like the perfect place to open my own wine bar,” Valentina shares. She began looking for a space, and after six months she found the perfect one.

Valentina’s vision was to create a women-owned business that’s both elegant and approachable. A place where you can linger without feeling rushed. “I switch out my glass pours frequently so guests can discover something new every time they visit,” she explains. “It’s about giving people opportunities to try wines they may never have experienced before.”

The menu reflects her love of champagne alongside thoughtfully curated wines from around the globe. For those who want to make their visits a tradition, Valentina’s offers a Wine Club as a way for members to enjoy handpicked selections 3–4 times per year, choose between 3 or 6 bottles per release, and take advantage of exclusive perks, special discounts and early access to events.

More Than a Wine Bar: Events & Experiences

Every other Saturday, local winemakers take over the space from 3 to 7 p.m., pouring their wines and sharing the stories behind them.

In addition to being a neighborhood hangout, Valentina’s Wine Bar doubles as an event space. Whether it’s a private celebration, a corporate gathering, or a pre-dinner meet-up with friends, the bar offers a stylish yet relaxed atmosphere perfect for hosting.

You can also catch Valentina as you stroll through the Old Bellevue Wine Walk on Thursday, September 18^th.

Whether you’re a lifelong wine lover, a champagne enthusiast, or just someone who enjoys a good pour in good company, Valentina’s Wine Bar is an extension of its owner’s passion. Valentina created this space so you can slow down, savor the moment and feel at home.