Seattle Wine Country Tour

Washington is now the second-largest producer of premium wines in the United States, with more than 150 wineries and over 25,000 acres of vineyards. Second only to California in wine production, Washington prides itself on producing some of the finest red, white, and fruit wines. As it happens, the 46°N parallel runs through the wine-growing regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, and eastern Washington; drawing many comparisons between Washington wines and French wines. The diverse climate of eastern Washington, ranging from long, warm summer days to cool nights, ensures that Washington wineries produce a wide variety of wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Lemberger, Chenin Blanc, and Syrah. Fortunately, it’s not necessary to drive 200 miles to the eastern portions of the state, where most vineyards are located, for this tour will take you to some of the finest tasting rooms just minutes from Seattle. From Seattle, take Hwy 520 east across Lake Washington, then head north on I-405 toward Bothell for about 12 miles. Exit at 522 east/Woodinville. Turn right on 175th Street, then left at the stop sign onto Hwy 202 (also known as the Woodinville-Redmond Road and later, NE 145th). Our first stop is the humble home of Silver Lake Winery. Silver Lake holds the distinction as Washington’s only “consumer-owned” winery: hundreds of Northwest enthusiasts have pooled their resources to build this award winner. You could join them! Try their handcrafted varietals, in production since 1989, or their Spire Mountain hard fruit ciders. (15029 Woodinville-Redmond Road/Hwy 202; open daily from noon to 5 pm; 425-486-1900; www.silverlakewinery.com.) Our next stop around the bend (where the Woodinville-Redmond Road veers left to become NE 145th) is Columbia Winery. Watch for it on your left. Founded in 1962 by ten friends, six of whom were professors at the University of Washington, Columbia Winery is considered Washington’s first premium winery. First known as Associated Vintners, the group was keen to prove that Washington could produce high-quality wines and began in the Seattle garage of one of the professors. Today, winemaker David Lake, often referred to as the “Dean of Washington Wine” (Wine Spectator), continues the founders’ tradition of innovation by introducing new varietals to the state, including Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Gris, and Sangiovese. Wines from Columbia Winery are known for the rich, fruit flavors indicative of Washington. (14030 NE 145th; open from 10 am to 7 pm daily; 425-488-2776; www.columbiawinery.com.) Virtually across the street from Columbia is our next stop, Chateau Ste. Michelle, which has been producing European varietal wines since 1967. It is best known for its award-winning Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Its white wines are fermented and aged right in Woodinville, while its reds are made in eastern Washington just west of Paterson on the Columbia River. The facilities and grounds here (87 acres) are beautiful, with peacocks strutting around on the lawns. In 1912, Seattle lumber baron Frederick Stimson made his home here, with gardens designed by the Olmsteds, the same family responsible for Seattle’s Volunteer Park and New York City’s Central Park. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, Stimson’s home is used for special events. A variety of tour, tasting, and event options are yours, including wine appreciation seminars and a summer concert series (Summer Festival on the Green) to benefit the arts. (14111 NE 145th; open from 10 am to 4:30 pm daily; 425-488-1133; www.chateau-stemichelle.com.) Continue down NE 145th to Redhook Brewery for the brew masters in your group. Beer enthusiasts Paul Shipman and Gordon Bowker founded Redhook in Seattle in 1981, at a time when the import beer market was growing by leaps and bounds in the Northwest. They sold their first pint of ale in August of 1982; then in July 1994, Redhook completed its second brewery here in Woodinville. This handsome facility features expansive grounds including the Forecasters Public House, where you can indulge in all of the Redhook Ales, as well as pub-style meals. Brewery tours cost $1 per person and include three to four samples of beer, a souvenir tasting glass, a walk through the brewery, and a good dose of Redhook history. (14300 NE 145th Street; Redhook Brewery open daily from 2 to 4 pm on weekdays, and from noon to 5 pm on weekends; The Forecasters Pub is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm on Sundays, from 11 am to 11 pm on Mondays through Thursdays, and from 11 am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays; 425-483-3232; www.redhook.com.) The popular Burke Gilman Trail, a 34-mile walking/bicycling/horse trail, passes right in front of the Willows Lodge and these two restaurants. It follows the Sammamish River to the edge of Lake Washington, then continues on around the lake to the University of Washington and out to Puget Sound. Continue along NE 145th, cross the Sammamish River, and turn right onto the Woodinville-Redmond Road heading south. This road will take you through some lovely rural countryside into the town of Redmond, from which you’ll pick up 520 back to Seattle via Bellevue.