Unless you’re a resident of Washington state or a serious fan of Washington wine, there’s a good chance you’ve never heard of Woodinville. Located just a 20 minute drive north of Seattle, it’s a small suburb that is home to more than 130 wineries and tasting rooms featuring wines made in the Walla Walla, Columbia, and Yakima Valleys. Here’s a glimpse of a few of our favourite places to sip and taste in Woodinville featuring: Avennia Wine, Lauren Ashton Cellars, Orr Wines, Delille Cellars, the Herbfarm, the Barking Frog, Brian Carter Cellars Long Shadows, McQueen Champagne Bar, Maryhill Winery, and Chateau Ste. Michelle:
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Erica Orr.
We first met Erica Orr in 2018 while doing a story on Washington’s Baer Winery located in Woodinville’s warehouse district. She was (and still is) their consulting winemaker and has also consulted for Mark Ryan Winery, Sparkman Cellars, and Guardian Cellars. At the time, she was producing one wine under her own label which was a Chenin Blanc. We tasted the 2017 together with several Baer Wines and the entire lineup was terrific. Her Chenin was a particular standout being such a rare variety found in Washington, and the quality with every one of the wines we tasted was indisputable. We knew immediately that she was a winemaker to watch.
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The Yamhill-Carlton Estate Vineyard.
Our first visit with Résonance Wines took place in 2019. It was a fantastic visit and we vowed that we would go back every year. Well, pandemics have a way of changing plans on you. But finally being able to return after 3 years, we were very well-rewarded for our wait. Résonance is going from strength to strength and is asserting itself as making some of the best wines in the Willamette Valley as well as having one of the best tasting rooms to visit.
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A long and storied history.
A visit to the city of Port (sometimes called Oporto in Portugal) and Gaia, its sister city directly across the river, is more than just a beautiful must-see European destination. For Port wine lovers it’s the mecca; an essential pilgrimage to the birthplace of the deliciously rich, sweet wine fortified with Brandy. One of the oldest, and arguably most influential Port Houses, is that of Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman (more widely referred to as Taylor’s) which celebrates its 330th anniversary this year.
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Champagne Ayala Brut & No. 7
The venerable Champagne house of Ayala is one of the region’s oldest, and for a time, one of the most dominant. But times change and the fortunes of businesses, like people’s, can change as well. Ayala has seen both ups and downs, but based on recent tastings, we can tell you that Champagne Ayala is definitely back on top. These are now top-quality Champagnes at very fair prices.
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