Thursday, October 1, 2026
With more than 900 wineries in the state, Washington is the second largest wine producer in the country. And not all wineries are east of the Cascades.
Woodinville offers a great option for wine enthusiasts who can’t make it to Walla Walla on a Saturday afternoon. The town combines charming walkable areas with winding roads, lush evergreens alongside open fields, and – of course – a lot of wineries. In Woodinville, you can taste your way through more than 130 wineries in just over 5 square miles.
For years, Woodinville has embraced a thoroughly modern approach to the wine business, where both established icons and upstart vintners worked side by side. Woodinville is an epicenter of creativity and innovation, about passion and tenacity, and most of all, about community and friendship.
“It’s all about the people,” said Al, a patron of Stevens Winery, when asked what makes the Woodinville wine scene different. His friend, Miles, added, “The winemakers themselves keep it feeling like the original Woodinville.”
Woodinville’s wine roots stretch back to the 1970s, when Washington’s oldest winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle, decided to establish a presence close to Seattle, purchasing a historic farm and renaming the French-style chateau on the property. The success of Chateau led other winemakers to settle in Woodinville, capitalizing on the region’s growing density of wine lovers and entrepreneurial spirit.
By the late 1990s, Woodinville was home to more than a dozen well-respected wineries, like Matthews Cellars, Facelli, Columbia Crest, as well as Chateau Ste. Michelle. By the early 2000s, several imaginative, upstart winemakers, like Tim and Paige Stevens of Stevens Winery and Kelly and Chris Sparkman of Sparkman Cellars, were translating their growing wine knowledge into winemaking realities. These winemakers, along with tasting rooms for wineries from eastern Washington, were opening up all over Woodinville.
The winemakers from Woodinville became known as much for their experimentation as for their commitment to each other and the community they were growing. In 2003, there were about a dozen wineries in Woodinville, but, as Paige Stevens said, “The wine industry is tough, but in Woodinville, people help each other.”
Winemakers offered new varietals and winemaking techniques, crafting bold expressions of Washington grapes – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Riesling, and more – and embracing lesser-known varietals that thrived in local soils, and even unheard of blends like Syrah and Viognier. Woodinville winemakers, especially the “Grape Killers” and other early vintners from Woodinville, didn’t just break the mold, they reinterpreted the art altogether.
Tim Stevens had been studying to be a teacher, but found himself working for Matt Luso at Matthew Cellars, where he learned a lot about grapes, and soon opened his own winery with his wife, Paige, in 2002. Stevens Winery still operates in the Artisan Hill area of the Warehouse District, with a small and welcoming tasting room for true wine geeks. They started with just 100 cases of Cab Franc and have consistently produced about 2,000 cases per year for more than 15 years. Stevens is known for his attention to detail and magical ability to create recognizable wines.
“I think that the magic is partially me and the other half is the people we have been connected to for 20 years,” says Stevens.
Stevens prefers grapes from Zillah, Washington, saying the region’s cooler temperatures give the fruit a bit more acid and less tannin than those from Red Mountain or western Washington. The acid preserves the wine and makes it age well, something his wines are also known for. Word on the street is that other winemakers check to see when Stevens is picking his fruit and follow his lead.
“I have to walk it, and feel it, and look at the fruit,” said Stevens. “Over the last two weeks, I have driven my four-wheeler around the vineyards to see how the grapes change and when they reach that perfect ripeness.”
Another grape killer/winemaking pair, Kelly and Chris Sparkman, have been in Woodinville nearly as long as Stevens. They produced 289 cases and three labels in 2004 from a small warehouse. They hired their first employee in 2009, and that employee, Bryan Keay, vice president/general manager, is still with them today. “They did it themselves,” Keay said. “They bottled and hand-labeled those days and still lead every step in the pressing and blending process to achieve the best they can each year.”
In 2020, Sparkman relocated to the former Redhook facility, which boasts over 30,000 square feet of winery and production areas, as well as beautiful tasting rooms and event space. Walking in is an experience in itself. It is the Hollywood District, after all, but their impressive digs are a testament to their commitment to the wine itself.
Everything from the grapes, to the equipment (they have two grape presses, one named Elvis and one named Presscilla), to the type of wood in the barrel to the size of the barrel, impacts the flavor of the wine. The team at Sparkman toils over every detail. “We make great wine,” Keay said, “but there is a lot of great wine in Woodinville. As we grow, it is the people who make the difference. Locals still come here because we are part of this community.”
The Woodinville wine community is not immune to the disruptions that swept across the globe in the past few years, but it is also operating amid decades-long lows of Americans drinking alcohol, according to numerous sources, including Time and Forbes.
With shifting consumer expectations, fierce competition from other wine regions, and the explosion of distilleries and cocktail culture, Woodinville’s hard-earned vibrancy faltered a bit after 2020. Wine tourism to Woodinville is down since its heyday in the mid-2010s, and wine sales are slowing across Washington overall, according to Axios Washington.
Younger generations, particularly Gen Z, are drinking significantly less alcohol than in previous years. They drink about 20% less than millennials, with many abstaining altogether. Businesses like the wine industry face a new reality of only about 54%-58% of American adults saying they drink sometimes, down from the long-time national trend of about 65% of American adults who consume alcohol. Different generations also have preferences for different beverages, and wine is becoming less popular. Beer is once again the winner among the younger generation, and wine is last on the list (after beer and spirits) for all but Baby Boomers.
So what does that mean for Woodinville? Continued reinvention.
Woodinville’s community is coming together as it always has, as a collective effort. Vintners, brewers, distillers, and restaurateurs share resources, cross-promote events, and advocate for sustainable growth. Annual events like the Celebrate Woodinville and Chateau Ste. Michelle summer concert series brings thousands to the area. Tasting rooms are even catering to families and non-drinkers, offering non-alcoholic pairings, local ciders and beers, and kid-friendly activities. This inclusive approach has broadened Woodinville’s appeal, making it a destination where everyone can savor the experience.
Woodinville wines are still among the best in the state and the nation, with more 90-plus rated vintages than any wine region in the world. Wineries host experiential events – from grape-stomping harvest parties to artist showcases – that blend culture, food, and wine, but the focus is still mostly on the quality of the wine.
“The winemakers still interact with people,” said Al, the Stevens Winery patron. “They are a wealth of information and want to share what they know about the industry and the wine. They remember you.”
Woodinville’s wineries spread across four districts, each with its own personality. The Hollywood District is alive with high-end restaurants and tasting rooms, the Warehouse District gives you a behind-the-scenes look at wine production, the West Valley District offers a relaxed pace, while the Downtown District offers a range of food, drink, and shopping.
Hollywood: A true Northwest setting, Hollywood is home to Chateau Ste. Michelle, but there is so much more in this area known for its beautiful vistas, al fresco dining and tasting, bike trails, destination restaurants, and a gold-rated Condé Nast lodge. Try wines from the largest and more glamorous locations, as well as micro and boutique wineries. A few not to miss include:
Sparkman Cellars: Big personality, approachable staff, and a fun lineup that ranges from serious cabernets to easy-drinking whites.
DeLille Cellars: Renowned for Bordeaux-style wines, located in a former brewery site, this is a “cult wine” favorite.
JM Cellars: A cozy winery on a wooded hillside, this feels like a getaway, with beautiful gardens and firepits – perfect for a summer evening tasting.
Gorman Winery: Rock ‘n’ roll–themed tasting room pouring intense, powerful reds, and yet another cult favorite.
Warehouse: This area is all about the wine (and some beer and spirits) – no fluff. It is home to more boutique wineries per square foot than any wine region in the world, and many of its small, garage-style wineries make just a few hundred cases a year. It’s one of the best places to taste experimental or rare bottlings.
The district is so filled with winemakers that it’s broken into four sub-neighborhoods: The Warehouse Wineries, The Gateway, The Junction, and Artisan Hill. The list is long, but a few wineries to try include:
Stevens Winery: A family-owned winery set in stunning industrial-style tasting rooms, known and loved by wine connoisseurs.
Adrice Wines: Woman-owned and known for small-batch bottlings and a welcoming, “come hang out” atmosphere.
Efeste: Family-run, making bold reds and interesting Rhône-style blends, not to be missed.
Pondera Winery: Boutique, art-gallery tasting room, offering Bordeaux-style blends.
Baer Winery: One of Woodinville’s true hidden gems, making elegant blends that often earn big ratings but remain under-the-radar with casual visitors
Damsel Cellars: Award-winning wines paired with curated cheese plates in a charming tasting room.
Avennia Wine: Industrial-chic, critically acclaimed but still relatively low-profile – their Bordeaux- and Rhône-style wines are consistently excellent.
West Valley: This fast-growing district is newly settled by boutique wineries and distillers along the west side of the Sammamish River. It offers a more wide-open, relaxed atmosphere for food, wine, and spirits (Woodinville Whiskey or Grapeworks Distilling, anyone?) With a diverse selection, here are just a few of the big and small names:
Januik / Novelty Hill: A sleek, modern spot with an innovative edge, especially for people who love contemporary architecture alongside excellent cabernet.
Matthews Winery: Slightly outside the main clusters, but renowned for Bordeaux-style blends and a top-100 Wine Spectator feature.
Ambassador Wines of Washington: Known for lush Red Mountain reds, and not usually on first-time visitors’ lists, so give them a shot.
Woodinville Wine Estates: A boutique winery that features events and music, as well as multiple labels in their tasting room, including Dussek, Kennedy Shah, and Hudson Shah.
Downtown: With so many delicious restaurant options, downtown Woodinville has become a lively hub to start your wine exploration. No wineries are officially located within the Downtown District, but you can taste your way through some of Woodinville’s most recognizable wines with the Downtown Wine Pass to access tasting rooms throughout Creek Village and Wine Alley.
Woodinville’s wine scene is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of community. Growing from the roots of its vineyards, the city is transforming into a destination, one that honors its legacy while embracing change. For wine lovers, adventurers, and anyone seeking the true Pacific Northwest wine experience, Woodinville uncorks Washington’s wine magic.
To learn more about Woodinville wines: woodinvillewinecountry.com.
Not where the grapes grow
Almost no grapes are grown in Woodinville – it’s too cool and wet. The grapes come mainly from eastern Washington (Yakima, Walla Walla, Red Mountain, Columbia Valley), but the wineries bring them west to make and pour the wine near Seattle.
Wine and tech crossover
Because it’s so close to Seattle, many Woodinville wineries were founded by former Microsoft and Amazon employees who traded tech careers for winemaking dreams, such as Novelty Hill/Januik, Avennia, Three of Cups, and Qui-di-ty.
Wine and cherries connection
Before wine took off, many of Washington’s vineyards were actually orchards for apples and cherries. Some pioneering winemakers even planted grapes in old orchard land, which helped launch today’s booming industry.
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