Wine enthusiasts, rejoice! As America’s second largest premium wine producer, Washington state is home to hundreds of wineries, with dozens in or around Seattle. If you can’t get enough wine (or just enjoy visiting wineries and experiencing gorgeous scenery), check out our top wine-related picks for your next visit:
Woodinville Wine Country
Explore Woodinville wine country, just 30 minutes northeast of Seattle, which is home to over 100 wineries and tasting rooms. Wine, beer, and cuisine lovers will all appreciate this town—Woodinville is known almost as much for its wine as it is its microbrewing and fine dining options. You’ll be glad you stopped by!
One of the first things you’ll notice in Woodinville will likely be the grand Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington’s oldest winery. There’s always something going on at this historic chateau, including daily tours and tastings; theme tasting, where you can sample your choice of four out of eight premium and distinctive wines; and a summer concert series. Visit their website to learn more.
For those who want to kick back, relax, and let someone else do the driving, guided tours are a terrific option to taste and sip your way through the region. Barrel Wine Tours will take you on a half- or full-day tour of different Woodinville wineries, where you can try different wines and learn about the winemakers.
Alternatively, Emerald City Trolley tours will pick you up from your hotel in Seattle and guide you through Woodinville’s Warehouse (home to more artisan winemakers per square foot than any wine region in the world) and Hollywood districts, as well as one of the local eateries.
Seattle-Area Tours and Events
If you’re staying in the city, Seattle offers its own spread of award-winning artisan wineries. Bon Vivant Wine Tours delivers a day tour of both the city’s popular and tucked-away wineries. Or, hop on a Winery + Waterfall tour, where you’ll begin the day sampling different wines at Seattle wineries, then enjoy a scenic drive through the Cascade mountain foothills to the renowned Snoqualmie Falls. Sounds good to me!
Before your visit, be sure to check out the Auction of Washington Wines, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting Washington state wine. They hold events in Seattle and the Tri-Cities area throughout the summer, including a vineyard dinner series and wine and jazz festival.
Statewide
Stay a little longer and see what else our beautiful state has to offer. Seattle Wine Tours offers day trips and multi-day outings to wineries in Seattle, Woodinville, Leavenworth, Wenatchee, Chelan, Yakima, Tri-Cities, and Walla Walla. Enjoy world-class wine while exploring Washington’s scenic charm.
