Written By Dobrina Zhekova | Updated on October 6th, 2023
Jump to: Best Wineries | Best Restaurants | Best Hotels | Touring Wine Country
Nestled in the scenic Sammamish River Valley just 30 miles northeast of downtown Seattle, Woodinville Wine Country is home to over 130 wineries, tasting rooms, and a tight-knit community of vintners, chefs, and artists.
While the area is known as a wine-lover's mecca, Woodinville also treats its guests to stunning natural landscapes, plenty of hiking trails and outdoor recreational opportunities, a vibrant brewing scene, top-notch epicurean experiences, boutique shopping, and world-class art galleries, making it the quintessential day or weekend-long escape from the city's hustle and bustle.
So whether you are an expert oenophile in search of the next big thing in wine or just want to spend some time exploring Woodinville wine country and all it has to offer, we invite you to keep reading for a handy guide on the area's top wine producers, farm-to-table eateries, and quaint hotels and B&Bs — based on our 16-year experience of taking our hundreds of clients on wine tours through our limousine services.
The Best Wineries in Woodinville
Ever since Chateau St. Michelle, one of Washington's largest wine producers, opened its 118-acre flagship tasting room in Woodinville, the small town with four distinct districts has been steadily growing, with new boutique wineries setting up home. Below are a few standouts not to miss on your next visit to Woodinville. For a full list of wineries, you can also check out woodinvillewinecountry.com.
Matthews Winery
Specializing in Bordeaux-inspired varieties, Matthews Winery produces complex and well-balanced reds and whites with fruit grown in some of Washington's best wine regions or AVAs. The company just announced a new lineup of Claret, Cuvée, and Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, blended by its new team of winemakers, which introduced new techniques and grape varieties to Mathews' terroir.
Its rustic-chic tasting room in Woodinville's scenic Hollywood District features outdoor seating, string lights, and lush views.
The tasting room is open every day from 12 pm – 7 pm.
For more information: matthewswinery.com
Novelty Hill–Januik
Mike Januik has been making wine in Washington since 1984, focusing on small badge blends with grapes from the state's best vineyards. The modern Novelty Hill–Januik tasting room showcases bottles from the two wineries under his supervision. Novelty Hill's Merlot, Malbec, and Chardonnay are not to be missed, and Januik's Cabernet Sauvignon varieties are an absolute classic. And while you're there, try out Januik's son, Andrew Januik, dubbed a "rising star" in Washington's winemaking scene, crisp rose and elegant Chardonnay.
For more information: noveltyhilljanuik.com
Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
The grande dame of Woodinville wine country is always worth your time. Located at the heart of a beautiful estate, the chateau offers a serene setting for enjoying the award-winning wines of Washington's most prominent producer. The tasting room has a long list of wine tours and experiences that allow you to explore the property and go behind the scenes of the company's winemaking process.
The winery is open daily from 11 am to 5 pm and Friday and Saturday from 11 am until 7 pm.
For more information: ste-michelle.com
Callan Cellars
The family-owned Callan Cellars might be in business only since 2016, but the winery's Grenache and acidic Picpoul have racked up awards as well as several 90+ ratings with Wine Enthusiast. The winery's Woodinville tasting room in the Warehouse District (they have a second location on Lake Chelan, where they source some of their fruit) has an industrial vibe and serves tasting flights and glass pours. Sparkling wine fans will appreciate the crispness of its 2021 rosé blended from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.
The tasting room is open on Fridays from 4 pm - 7 pm, Saturdays from 12 pm -5 pm, and Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm.
For more information: callancellars.com
Damsel Cellars
One sip of Damsel's rich Syrah will immediately transport you to France's renowned Rhône Valley. Owner Mari Womack started her winemaking journey in 2010 and, after honing her skills in some of Woodinville's best wineries, ventured on her own, becoming one of the area's most promising winemakers. Her Yakima Valley-sourced, The Fates, offers a well-balanced and fragrant experience blending three Rhône-style grapes. The intimate tasting room in Hollywood Hill feels like you're in a friend's home, thanks to the cozy décor and plush seating.
It is open daily from 12 pm until 6 pm and Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 12 pm until 7 pm.
For more information: damselcellars.com
JM Cellars
Like Chateau St. Michelle, John and Peggy Bigelow's JM Cellars is a classic. Founded in 1996, the winery and its tasting room, "Bramble Bump," is a fairy-tale-like seven-acre arboretum that will enchant you the moment your car pulls up among its towering trees and lush gardens. But the real star of the show is their red varieties grown in Washington's top AVAs. Tasting experiences start from $20 and include five of the winery's best reds and whites (charcuterie and cheese plates are also available on-site). Don't leave without exploring the estate or playing a round of bocce on the lawn.
JM Cellars is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 1 pm until 4 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am until 4 pm.
For more information: jmcellars.com
DeLille Cellars
In the last 30 years, DeLille Cellars has perfected the art of Bordeaux-inspired wines and gathered a cult following among wine enthusiasts. Staying true to its slogan of "always seeking," the company is constantly improving its techniques and winemaking processes, which has resulted in over 800 90+ ratings and countless awards and accolades.
Its spacious tasting room in the Old Redhook Brewery offers three floors and a rooftop for wine tasting available to the general public and its members. As a non-member, you can take advantage of its $25 tastings that include five of its best-sellers, a wonderful introduction to the excellent portfolio of this Woodinville staple.
The tasting room is open daily from 11 am to 6 pm.
For more information: delillecellars.com
Best Restaurants and Fine Dining Experiences
Great wine pairs best with delicious food, and Woodinville is home to many talented and innovative chefs, elevating the area's culinary scene.
Barking Frog
Chef Dylan Herick's seasonal menus highlight local produce, fresh seafood, meats, and a wine list showcasing the best of Washington's terroirs. Herrick's elevated classics include fire-roasted lamb with smoky beets and green tomato marmalade; and seared scallops risotto with caviar beurre blanc. Do not skip dessert as the lineup of sweet temptations is certainly a highlight — orange gianduja mouse with steamed chocolate cake, mandarin coulis, and Ceylon-tonka cream; lemon poppy seed pound cake with lemon curd goat ice cream; and yuzu-extra bitter ganache.
For more information: willowslodge.com
The Herbfarm
Woodinville's most prominent fine dining establishment sources its produce from the restaurant's five-acre garden, harvested every night before dinner. The nine-course gourmet experience reflects the seasons' bounty and takes patrons on a culinary trip around the region. From Puget Sound shellfish in tomato water to locally raised hog with beans and basil, all paired with award-winning wines from Washington or neighboring Oregon. Take it from us—a dinner at The Herbfarm will be one of the many highlights of a trip to Woodinville.
For more information: theherbfarm.com
Heritage
Dine like a local at Heritage — an unfussy eatery and a gathering place for Woodinville residents with an outstanding menu of classics heavy on seafood, local produce, and delicious sandwiches and burgers, making Heritage the perfect choice for weekend brunch. While you'll find several standout blends from Washington on the wine list, it also includes many international options, such as Champagne, Sicilian Rose, and Germain Riesling.
For more information: heritagewoodinville.com
The Restaurant at DeLille Cellars
Here, chef Michael Toni whips up delicious house-made pasta and fried chicken confit that perfectly pair with the winery's red and white blends. By adopting DeLille's slogan of "always seeking," he constantly adjusts and improves on the flavors he serves patrons in the sun-lit dining room that's unpretentious and laid-back. If wine is not your drink of choice, the restaurant has a long list of brews on tap and a few hand-crafted cocktails.
For more information: delillecellars.com
The PicNic Table
PicNic Table is an intimate eatery with an informal, rustic vibe serving chef Danilo Amato's Mediterranean-inspired fare. He favors locally sourced organic ingredients and often references Tuscan and Northern Italian cuisine (but also makes sure gluten-free and vegetarian options are on the menu). Not ready for a full meal? Staying true to its moniker, the restaurant can also prepare a picnic basket of spreads, cheeses, and charcuterie to enjoy at a different location.
For more information: picnictablecafe.com
Brix Wine Café
With its outdoor setting overlooking a flower-adorned residential street in the new Woodincreek Village development in Woodinville, Brix Wine Café feels like a very chic neighborhood joint. And while the menu does have some time-tested classics like Mac&Cheese (which is prepared with pecorino cheese and truffle oil) and a Waguy beef burger, overall, it does skew a little Mediterranean with its seafood, many salad options, shareable platters, and spreads. Fortunately, it also offers an extensive list of West Coast-produced whites and reds, as well as several Italian and New Zealand wines to pair with your choice of food.
For more information: brixwinecafe.com
The Best Hotels Around Woodinville
Don't rush your visit, and spend the night in or near Woodinville. There are plenty of boutique hotels, private rentals, and luxury resorts available that deliver outstanding service. For those planning a visit in 2024, a new property called The Somm will soon open with an expansive spa, a large rooftop bar perfect for sipping and tasting, and 165 guestrooms.
Willows Lodge
Woodinville's most luxurious stay is, without a doubt, the area's best and most prominent hotel that puts you at the heart of wine country. This award-winning resort offers rooms and suites with fireplaces, oversized windows, soaking tubs, and private patios or balconies. The décor is inspired by the Pacific Northwest, so think plenty of rustic wood accents, exposed stone walls, and earthy tones. The serene spa is another highlight. With a full list of body treatments and facials paired with a hydrotherapy pool, a sauna, and lush gardens, guests leave relaxed and rejuvenated. The property is also home to two of Woodinville's best restaurants—Barking Frog and The Herbfarm, that deliver an outstanding culinary experience.
For more information: willowslodge.com
W Bellevue
If you're not ready to leave the convenience and comfort of urban amenities behind, W Bellevue is the perfect base for exploring both Seattle and Woodinville. Located at the heart of Bellevue, less than 20 minutes from Woodinville, this property offers 245 guestrooms and suites, equipped with high-end amenities such as designer-approved decor, soaking bathtubs, flat-screen TVs, state-of-the-art tech, plush towels, comfortable beds, and floor-to-ceiling windows with gorgeous downtown views. The hotel's eatery, The Lakehouse, is helmed by James Beard-award winner Chef Jason Wilson, whose seasonal fare explores classic Pacific Northwest cuisine.
For more information: marriott.com
The Woodmark Hotel & Still Spa
Nestled on the shores of Lake Washington, just 15 minutes south of Woodinville, The Woodmark is a tranquil oasis offering endless water views and serene moments. When you're not enjoying the sweeping vistas from your room's private balcony, you could get pampered at the spa or take a trip to Lake Como via the hotel's signature eatery, COMO, treating patrons to elevated Italian fare as well as a curated selection of Italian and local wines.
For more information: thewoodmark.com
What's the Best Way to Tour Woodinville Wine Country?
The best — and most responsible — way to enjoy Woodinville's excellent wine scene is to hire a car and a chauffeur for the day or weekend. That way, you and your party can focus on exploring the area's many wine-tasting rooms and restaurants instead of stressing about your mode of transportation.
As long-standing leaders in the market, we at Starline have an updated fleet of luxury vehicles that can accommodate groups of up to 20 people. In addition, our drivers deliver outstanding customer service and can even recommend a few of their favorite Woodinville spots.
Our wine tour services are priced by the hour, and we are happy to work with you to establish your needs and itinerary. We can also give you a custom quote if your Woodinville plans include a single final destination.
Contact us at 206-261-1191 or get a quote, and let's start planning your wine-country escape.
“I have taken many trips with Starline, everything from the typical airport drop off/pickup to wine tasting in Woodinville, to an evening out with friends. I highly recommend Starline for anyone wanting a professional car service experience.”
–Aaron O. (Yelp Review, 2022)