Just 30 minutes from Seattle, yet a world apart, Woodinville awaits with more than 100 tasting rooms, fabulous cuisine, and plenty of excuses to spend the night.
Day One
Named for the century-old schoolhouse at its center, the Hollywood District encompasses over 30 tasting rooms centering around two roundabouts. The wines poured here are mostly crafted in the greater Seattle area using grapes from the dryer Eastern Washington AVAs. Several other tasting rooms belong to wineries that make wine in the Columbia Valley.
After enjoying a few tastings here, with a break for a bistro-style lunch at Purple Café or a garden picnic at Chateau St. Michelle, recharge with a stroll on the Sammamish River Trail, a beautiful concrete trail with ample spots to relax on a bench near the river.
If your palate is up for more tasting, Red Hook Brewery offers a five-dollar tour complete with tastings, stories, and a souvenir glass. Red Hook also has festivals, outdoor movies, and various events throughout the year. For the spirits drinker, B crafts local small batch barrel-aged whiskey.
Dinner in the Hollywood District is easy with several options within walking distance, and the highly acclaimed Barking Frog at Willows Lodge is at the top of our list. Plan to spend the night!
Day Two
While the average wine lover could spend days in the Hollywood District before tasting all there is to offer, no trip to Woodinville is complete without a visit to the Warehouse District. Aptly named for the several blocks of warehouses housing almost 50 wineries and tasting rooms, the Warehouse District gives visitors a close-up look at the winemaking process—especially during harvest—and the winemakers frequently pour their own wines. Many tasting rooms here are open only on the weekends. The Warehouse District is unique for its close-knit winemaking community and plethora of sandwich board signs.
To round out the day, stop at a couple farms or farm stands in Sammamish Valley. Woodinville Lavender farm and gift shop is always worth a stop—and Minea Farm uses a 100-year-old cider press to make fresh apple cider. They also have delicious fruit leathers, honey, and apple cider vinegar.
Whether spending an afternoon or a weekend, Woodinville Wine Country is well worth the short trip across the bridge to savor Washington wines and local cuisine.