Woodinville Wine Country
On our recent family trip to Washington, we spent a few days in Woodinville exploring several wineries and indulging in the wines of the region and delicious culinary offerings. If you enjoy winery hopping, then Woodinville is definitely a must visit location in the Pacific Northwest! Most of the wineries are within close proximity to each other, making it extremely easy to hit several all in one day.
Also, Willow’s Lodge, where we had the pleasure of staying, offers a shuttle on Saturday’s that takes guests to several wineries so you don’t have to worry about driving. Woodinville also has “Winery Walks” on the first and third Thursdays each month from April through October.
JM Cellars
Out of the four wineries we visited, JM Cellars was our absolute favorite. The tasting experience at JM was much more intimate and less main-stream than at some of the other wineries. It is tucked away on a heavily wooded hillside and boasts beautiful grounds, complete with a bocce ball court and fire pit. This family owned winery has been around since 1998 and focuses on crafting high quality limited-release wines using sustainable methods.
We enjoyed all of the wines we tasted, but we especially loved the Bramble Bump. The Bramble Bump is a red blend that is JM’s red table wine. It’s perfect for sipping by itself or savoring with dinner.
Chateau Ste Michelle
Chateau Ste Michelle is Washington’s oldest winery. The winery sits on 105 acres and boasts beautiful french architecture and manicured grounds, there’s even a resident peacock! It produces some top-notch wines and has a rich history, which we loved learning more about. The winery also hosts a wide variety of events, including summer concerts at its chateau amphitheater. We enjoyed Chateau Ste Michelle very much, but it definitely has more of a commercial feel reminiscent of some of the large production wineries in Napa.
Novelty Hill | Januik
We definitely recommend stopping by Novelty Hill Januik and enjoying their delicious award-winning Cabernet Sauvignons! The winery’s sleek, modern design is visually appealing and makes a nice backdrop for an afternoon tasting. We especially enjoyed sipping a glass of Cab on their posh patio and unwinding after a long day of tasting.
Columbia Winery
After spending the morning in Seattle, we ventured backed to Woodinville and squeezed in a tasting at Columbia Winery. This winery offers several great fruit-forward wines at reasonable price points. Although it has been around for over fifty years, the winery itself is very approachable and has a laid back vibe.
Columbia Winery also offered a selection of Pacific Northwest inspired appetizers and seasonal flatbreads to be savored alongside the wines. We enjoyed several of the flat breads and the elevated crabmeat deviled eggs out on the patio with a bottle of the Syrah. They also had live music, which was a nice end to our Woodinville experience!
PIN FOR LATER
Cheers!
Emily & Barbara
Sorry but though Chateau St Michelle and Columbia are iconic, you missed the incredible small wineries Ethel warehouse district and artisan hill. I realize one can only consume so much wine in a day but you failed to mention that there are over 100 tasting rooms in Woodinville, so many with different emphasis, ie. Rhône, Italian or Spanish varietals, Bordeaux blends, women winemakers … IMHO, there’s so many other options to consider
There is little doubt that WA wines have come into their own. I was disappointed that Covington Cellars’ “Ode” and “Sangiovese” wines were not included on your list. Owned by Cindy and Dave Lawson (Bothell), these Red Mountain-sourced wines compete with the finest reds in their varietal class out there. And, their price points make them a steal. Tasting rooms in Maltby and Woodinville Warehouse Districts.