Tasting Through Woodinville: Off The Beaten Path

The Woodinville area is webbed with roads winding through stands of trees and patches of farmland.

By Seattle Mag December 16, 2010

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DiStefano Winery
One of the oldest wineries in Woodinville, tucked away behind the train tracks just west of the main Woodinville exit off State Route 522, DiStefano also has one of the area’s prettiest tasting rooms, where wine dinners and events take place surrounded by barrels. Known for elegant Bordeaux-style Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc reds, the winemaking team of Mark Newton and Hilary Sjolund make wonderful whites as well.
Don’t miss: 2005 Domenica Red Blend ($28)
 

Woodhouse Family Cellars

Set off by itself on the Woodinville-Redmond Road near Novelty Hill/Januik winery, this warehouse space with its soaring ceilings is both winery and tasting room, housing five wine labels producing primarily big, luscious red wines: Kennedy Shah, named after owner Bijal Shah’s daughter; Hudson Shah, named after his son; Maghee and Dussek, named after family friends; and Darighe, Celtic for “red” and a nod to Shah’s wife’s Irish background—and her red hair.
Don’t miss: Hudson Shah Malbec ($16)
 

Adams Bench

This new winery and tasting room, in a small, brown barn just up the hill from the Schoolhouse area, is open by appointment, but the lovely view and excellent wines make it worth calling ahead. Andrew Will Winery winemaker Chris Camarda consulted with winemakers Tim and Erica Blue on its first vintages, focusing on finding the best fruit for Old World–style Cabernet blends.
Don’t miss: 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon “The V” ($42)
 

JM Cellars

John Bigelow has been quietly making excellent red blends and refreshing white wines in his winery since 2000. One of the early wineries in Woodinville, JM is a great place to start learning about wine from a winemaker who has learned from some of the best, including Charlie Hoppes of Fidelitas, Mike Januik, whose Januik winery is just down the street, and Holly Turner of Three Rivers Winery. JM has a beautiful wine library lined with barrels and dark wood shelves full of wines from past vintages—a great place to peruse the shelves with a glass of wine in hand.
Don’t miss: 2009 Viognier ($22)

Woodinville Wine Cellars
You may not notice this winery/tasting room nestled on the bank of Little Bear Creek, near the main Woodinville exit from State Route 522, but Woodinville Wine Cellars produces top-notch wines, such as a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc and a silky-smooth Syrah that are a delight to discover. Surrounded by trees, the site has room for picnics or larger events.
Don’t miss: 2007 L.M.S. Malbec ($36)

Originally published in August 2010

 

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