Woodinville sits northeast of Seattle and is home to a large concentration of winery tasting rooms. Most producers there source grapes from vineyards east of the Cascades, so a day in Woodinville is really a tour of Washington wine without the long drive across the mountains.
Getting there
Woodinville is typically a drive of well under an hour from central Seattle, but traffic across the lake bridges and on the Eastside freeways can stretch that considerably, especially on weekday afternoons and summer weekends. Build in slack.
- Private car with a designated driver. The most flexible option, provided the driver genuinely is not drinking.
- Rideshare or taxi. Works well for getting there and back. Availability between stops and at the end of the day can be thinner than in the city, so plan your return trip before you need it.
- Licensed tour or charter operators. Convenient for groups. Confirm the operator is properly licensed and insured, and ask whether tasting fees are included.
- Public transit. Possible for patient travelers, though connections can be slow. Check current routes with the regional transit agencies before relying on it.
Pacing the day
The most common mistake is trying to see too much. A realistic, enjoyable day is usually three or four tasting rooms, with a proper lunch in the middle.
- Start late morning, once rooms open, rather than trying to be first through the door.
- Allow roughly an hour per stop, plus travel between clusters.
- Put your most anticipated visit first or second, while your palate is fresh.
- Drink water at every stop, and use the dump bucket freely. Nobody will be offended.
Designated drivers and rideshare
Decide transport before the day starts, not after the second stop. If you are driving, the only safe amount to drink is none: sip, smell, and spit, or simply enjoy the setting and the food. Many tasting rooms are happy to offer water or non-alcoholic options to drivers; it never hurts to ask. If plans change, leave the car and book a ride.
Book ahead
Reservations are increasingly the norm, especially on weekends, for seated tastings and for any group larger than a few people. Some rooms welcome walk-ins on quiet weekdays; others are appointment-only. Booking also lets you ask useful questions in advance: accessibility, whether children or dogs are allowed, and whether food is available.
Tasting fees vary
Most tasting rooms charge a fee for a flight, and fees vary widely by winery and by experience, from a simple standing tasting to a guided, seated one. Some waive the fee with a bottle purchase or for wine club members; many do not. We do not list prices because they change. Check each winery's own website for current fees, hours and policies.
Useful starting points
- Woodinville Wine Country, the regional association's site, for an overview of the area.
- Washington State Wine Commission, for background on the state's growing regions and grapes.
We are not affiliated with either organization. Always confirm details with individual wineries.
Your day-trip checklist
- Transport and designated driver settled
- Three or four reservations, spaced sensibly
- Lunch planned
- Water bottle and a snack in the car
- Fees and policies checked on each winery's site
- Photo ID for everyone (21+)