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The epicenter of Western Washington wine overflows with vintners. Here are the ones to try now.
Bordeaux-style wines meet picnic priorities at Matthews Winery.
IMAGE: BRANDON HILL
WESTERN WASHINGTON’S epicenter of wine dates back to the 1970s. Today, change is sweeping the area, from new tasting districts to the uncertain future of Chateau Ste. Michelle. In other words, Woodinville has lots of exciting new developments, but also some reasons to return, time and again, to taste.
Hollywood District / Warehouse District / Downtown and Woodin Creek Village / Eastern Washington Outposts
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Betz Family Winery
Now firmly in its third decade, Betz Family devotes itself to high-end Bordeaux and Rhône-style wines. The cabernet sauvignon is exquisite. Four syrahs showcase differences in the state’s best vineyards and appellations, while the grenache-heavy Besoleil drinks like a cup of fresh fruit. The tasing room is currently only open to members of the winery’s list.
Chateau Lill
Greg Lill has reclaimed the estate-style building that once housed his original winery, DeLille Cellars. Today it’s a scenic hub for weddings and events, but also conducts tastings of wines sourced from other well-known local wineries, but poured under Chateau Lill’s label. In warmer months, tastings happen in the garden, or you can stroll the property, glass in hand.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
Yes, some or all of this wine region’s foundational chateau is potentially up for sale, but the winery is committed to its 2023 concert calendar season. And, uncertainty aside, it remains a wonderful place to visit in Woodinville. Throughout its run, Ste. Michelle has been the state’s leader in producing good wines at any price. A spot-on $12 bottle? A stunning single-vineyard sauvignon blanc? The winery has both. Its $10 Dry Riesling is easily the best value in the state if not the country.
IMAGE: COURTESY CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE
DeLille Cellars
Located in a sweeping new tasting room (with a patio) in the old Redhook brewery, DeLille is an unusually good environment for trying wine. But wherever you taste, the winery offers an embarrassment of riches. The Chaleur Blanc, a blend of sauvignon blanc and sémillon, is reliably outstanding each year. Other gems in the crown include the Chaleur Estate, a full-bore expression of Red Mountain, and the Harrison Hill red wine, from some of the oldest vines in the state. A new adjacent restaurant, the Lounge at DeLille Cellars, comes with a full food menu.
DeLille Cellars offers rooftop tastings.
IMAGE: COURTESY DELILLE CELLARS
Gorman Winery
When visiting Gorman Winery’s tasting room, you can plug in a guitar and play. Owner and winemaker Chris Gorman likes to crank the volume in the glass, too, with decadent Red Mountain reds and full-bodied, heady chardonnay.
Guardian Cellars
Jerry Riener, Guardian’s owner, is a police officer who started spending all of his non-working hours volunteering at local wineries. In 2007, he opened Guardian and has helped epitomize Woodinville’s style: luscious and fruit-filled.
