{"id":2834,"date":"2017-03-10T12:30:49","date_gmt":"2017-03-10T18:30:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecorkscrewconcierge.com\/?p=2834"},"modified":"2019-06-30T16:12:27","modified_gmt":"2019-06-30T21:12:27","slug":"must-visit-woodinville-wine-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecorkscrewconcierge.com\/2017\/03\/must-visit-woodinville-wine-country\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Must Visit Spots in Woodinville Wine Country"},"content":{"rendered":"
Getting across the Cascades to the vineyards and wineries in Eastern Washington is not an easy feat. So it\u2019s lucky for us that the industry has brought the wine west to the doorstep of Puget Sound. Less than an hour north of Seattle (about 15 miles) lays the city of Woodinville which has become ground zero for the Washington wine industry. In fact, the beautiful river valley is not only home to over 100 wineries and tasting rooms; it is also home to cideries, distilleries, and craft breweries. Whatever adult beverage you\u2019re in the mood for, chances are you will find a taste in Woodinville.<\/p>\n
Woodinville is divided into four distinct districts \u2013 Downtown District, West Valley District, Warehouse District, and Hollywood District \u2013 each with its own vibe. Downtown is where you will find the Chamber of Commerce as well as the Woodinville Farmers Market, which is open on Saturdays between May and September. The West Valley is fast growing and currently features a handful of wineries. Literally housing dozens of boutique wineries in a series of warehouses within a square mile, the Warehouse District is the perfect spot to park and wander from door to door discovering the distinctive wines of Washington. And while you may not have the grand scenery of a lovely vineyard estate, your chances are good of chatting it up with the winemaker who may be pouring you a glass. A bit more spread out and featuring lovely open green spaces, farms, and bike trails, the Hollywood District is home to the acclaimed Chateau Ste. Michelle among other pioneers of Washington wine.<\/p>\n
Of course with so many wineries from which to choose, narrowing it down truly becomes a challenge \u2013 a good one \u2013 but a challenge nonetheless. For a first time visit, or if you\u2019ve missed any of these in the past, these are five wineries that will give you a solid foundation of the Washington wine industry, not to mention the opportunity to taste some critically acclaimed wines. All of these are in the Hollywood District except for one. And yes, all of these can be done in a single day.<\/p>\n
This is the one that started it all and should be on every must-visit list. Chateau Ste. Michelle was founded in 1934 and is the oldest winery in Washington State. Along the way, it has had some amazing winemakers, many of which went on to start their own wine ventures. Situated on a hill in the Hollywood District, the grounds are quite beautiful and scenic.<\/p>\n
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For tasting, CSM offers a complimentary behind-the-scenes tour and tasting. No need to make a reservation \u2013 just show up. But to get a taste of what truly makes them special, opt for the Estate Tasting (which also does not require a reservation) or better yet reserve the Library Pairings Tasting. And as they\u2019re known for their world class Riesling, be sure you taste a few. Do this even if you think you aren’t a Riesling fan.<\/p>\n