Where East Meets West

While many winemakers are embracing social media, they still require a physical location—preferably near major population centers—where they can bring their customers to taste their wines. In the past five years, the number of wineries and tasting rooms in Woodinville has grown from a dozen to more than 50 as more and more wineries from eastern Washington set up shop just 30 minutes from downtown Seattle. Not only has this expansion brought the wines closer to big population centers, but it’s also created a new destination for tourists.

The Showplaces

Chateau Ste. Michelle has been an iconic landmark since 1976. Its annual concert series has become one of summer’s hot tickets and its beautiful grounds a favorite spot for warm-weather picnics. Beneath the chateau’s stately tasting room are its vast production facility and barrel rooms. >> At Januik/Novelty Hill, everything in this beautiful building screams modern, from the state-of-the-art production facility to the crisp, clean lines of the tasting room and the minimalist courtyard. This newcomer to the neighborhood has received raves and awards for its architecture. >> The Columbia Winery could easily be nicknamed “the house David Lake built,” as the late winemaker established a legacy of quality during his 20-plus years crafting premium varietals and the state’s first vineyard-designated varietals. After a facelift in 2009, Columbia’s tasting room has warmed up with armchairs surrounding a freestanding fireplace.

The Warehouse District (144th Ave. N.E.)

Home to more than 30 tasting rooms, many with production facilities on site. The district’s utilitarian spaces have been transformed into rooms with attitude. Music is cranked up in many spots on weekends, when most tasting rooms are open. On Third Thursday Wine Walks, a $25 ticket covers sipping and snacks throughout the sprawling complex, which is also home to flooring companies, plumbers and construction crews. Established vintners Gordon Brothers and Matthews Cellars have opened tasting rooms here in the past year, but also look for many startups.

The Schoolhouse District

Just a half mile east of Chateau Ste. Michelle, the old Hollywood schoolhouse and surrounding area are becoming a central stop for wine tasting. In the past two years, a dozen wineries have built mini tasting rooms in the Schoolhouse District, including Alexandria Nicole, J. Bookwalter Tasting Studio, Pepper Bridge/Amavi and Long Shadows.

The Woodinville area is also snaked with winding roads through stands of trees and patches of farmland. Along some of these routes, many small wineries feel like secret finds. If you know where to locate them, these wineries might reveal another layer in the growing world of Woodinville wine touring. Some good bets include Woodinville Wine Cellars, DiStefano Winery, Woodhouse Family Cellars, Adams Bench and JM Cellars.

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