For a cool summer getaway, head north to Woodinville. Washington's wine wonder town is an easy half-hour drive northeast from Seattle. But unlike a visit to Napa, you won't find many vineyards but plenty of juice from nearly forty Washington wineries.
Woodinville reinvented itself as a wine country mecca in 2002 in a move that boosted the state's wine tourism. Since most Washington grapes are grown far from Seattle – in Columbia Valley to the south, Yakima Valley to the east and beyond to the Walla Walla region – the small town parlayed its convenient location into a travel hub for the state's far-flung wineries.
Each April, the town hosts the Passport to Woodinville weekend tasting and touring fundraiser. Start planning ahead at www.woodinvillewinecountry.com.
Our first stop after lunch was Chateau Ste. Michelle (14111 NE 145th Street, Woodinville, WA 98072, Tel. 425.415.3300). Washington’s oldest winery was built on a lumber baron’s 1912 estate. The lush grounds feature an arboretum and strolling peacocks. Check out the glass art gallery inside their well-stocked wine and gift shop.
Like some music with your wine? Their 2008 summer concert series includes big-name artists such as Chris Botti, Chicago, Lyle Lovett, Smokey Robinson and Chris Isaak. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or purchase in person at the winery.
Daily wine tastings allow you to sample three wines for five dollars. Take your pick and discover why awards adorn their Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings. Even the red-wine drinkers among us enjoyed the soft fruit and luscious texture of their Chardonnay. Reserve tastings and group tours are available. Visit them at www.ste-michelle.com.
Onward to Columbia, founded in 1962 by a small group of university professors and their friends (14030 NE 145th Street, Woodinville, WA 98072, Tel. 425.488.2776 or 800.488.2347). While turning out more than 125,000 cases per year, Columbia garners respect for Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and other food-friendly varietals.
Another five-spot brings four or more wines to taste, depending how nice you are to the wine lad or lass. Our favorites included their Viognier and Cabernet Franc. Saddle up to their huge tasting bar or cruise the gift shop's souvenir temptations. Check them out at www.columbiawinery.com.
For a more intimate wine-tasting experience, make your way to DiStefano Winery (12280 Woodinville Dr. SE, Woodinville, WA 98072, Tel. 425.487.1648). Never mind its industrial park location – this small-production winery is the real deal and winner of Wine Press Northwest's 2008 Washington Winery of the Year award.
The cozy tasting room has a European feel with a romantic glass-walled private dining room and candle chandeliers. Winemaker Mark Newton made his first DiStefano wine in 1990 as a wedding gift for his new bride. Together, they keep the winery’s focus on terroir blending with the goal of making exceptional Bordeaux-style wines.
From our tasting, they’ve succeeded mightily. We enjoyed every wine they poured, without exception. Taste another two or three wines for five dollars. Best of all, our tasting included Sogno, the winery’s gorgeous Cabernet Franc, plus a vintage 2000 Ottimo, their barrel-select Cabernet Sauvignon. Tastings are held on Saturdays and Sundays. Don't miss it: www.distefanowinery.com.
Word to the wise: Fill up on fantastic Northwest cuisine before you start sipping. We chose lunch outside Willows Lodge at The Barking Frog (14580 N.E. 145th St., Woodinville, WA 98072, Tel. 425.424.2999, http://www.willowslodge.com/culinary-barkingfrog.php). With one of the best wine lists in the state, the bistro is flanked by one of the country’s top dining destinations, The Herb Farm Restaurant.
We're already thinking about splurging next year with Herb Farm's nine-course dinner and an overnight stay. As thankful as we were for our designated driver, a cool night in a warm bed seems like the perfect ending for our next Washington wine country jaunt.
Next: Sweatless in Seattle: Winewomen Beat the Heat in the Emerald City
© 2008, Matilde Parente.
|