Downtown Woodinville’s Best Spots for Wine and Food
Where in Washington can you experience a world of wine and culinary delights all within a block? Woodinville’s Schoolhouse District provides a hedonistic range of wines from Washington, Napa Valley, Oregon, Rioja and Champagne along with decadent wine country fare and Spanish tapas.
This area is Woodinville’s best kept secret.
There’s free parking, all the downtown Woodinville businesses are located along a pedestrian walkway, and on warm days the cozy spaces open up to wide expanses of patio seating. Read on to explore the establishments that are not to be missed!
L’Ecole No. 41
L’Ecole No. 41, one of the original wineries in Walla Walla, has a comfy tasting room. At the time of my visit, a special selection of aged wines dubbed the “Legacy Cellar Experience” lured us in. Samples of four wines from the 2015 vintage were a fun way to get schooled on how wines from this 40+ year old family business taste after spending time in the cellar.
Plus, the experience includes special cheese pairings curated by Rachael Lucas, AKA the Cheese Lady. At $75 per person, it’s more expensive than their typical tasting, but it was a delightful indulgence for the hubby’s birthday. Just be sure to make advance reservations.
Montinore Estate and Landlines Estates
This spacious modern tasting room is the place to explore some of the most fascinating grape varieties grown in the Pacific Northwest. The two Oregon wineries represented here share the same ownership and provide visitors to the tasting room interesting choices.
Go for the Pinot Noir but stay for the off-the-beaten path wines! The easy drinking Lagrein Rosé is not to be missed. A white Pinot Noir, aromatic Gewurztraminer, Teroldego and sparkling wines also tempt. Plus, the estate vineyards of both labels are Demeter Certified Biodynamic® and CCOF Certified Organic. In other words, no synthetic pesticides or herbicides are used.
Unique wine cocktails are currently available for a limited time and a menu of select nibbles is offered.
Pintxo by Valdemar
This is the place to experience a menu inspired by the small plates of food typically found in bars across Spain. Pair the irresistible bites with wine or drinks from a full-on cocktail bar.
We opted for the multi-course prix-fixe menu. That might sound a little fancy pants, but the shareable menu for two is really a relaxed way to experience the menu’s best Spanish tapas. From a roasted fennel salad to charred octopus, all the selections are delightfully satisfying – and some were even delivered by the chef herself. Next time we might try the amazing happy hour deals, available Wednesday through Friday.
What makes this place particularly interesting for wine lovers is that equally delicious vinous options from one family’s two estates – Bodegas Valdemar in Rioja, Spain and Valdemar Estates in Walla Walla, Washington – are represented here.
McQueen Champagne Bar
Brandee Slosar and Brian Grasso, the dynamic husband and wife duo behind popular Structure Cellars in Seattle, are proprietors of this glam Woodinville locale. With a name like McQueen Champagne Bar, it’s easy to guess that the star of the show is fizzy, French, and fabulous.
However, one could easily argue that the big attention getter here is the dramatic wall covering of lavish oversized flowers that offers contrast to the dark moody walls. Settle into one of the luxe jewel-toned velvet chairs to take it all in. As weather permits, the door rolls up and additional seating is available on the patio.
If you’re feeling adventurous, there are over 100 bottles of fun effervescent picks. Of course there’s Champagne, darling! Nevertheless, don’t overlook options like sparkling Sauvignon Blanc from Africa or bubbly Gruner Veltliner from Austria. Bubbly flights are $29 and up, glass pours start at $11 and bottles run $40 and up.
There’s also a menu of light bites from which we’ve ordered truffled potato chips and a nuanced lemon-y ricotta spread with bread.
This isn’t a wham, bam, thank you ma’am kind of place. Go for a leisurely sip to soothe the soul.
Woodinville’s Wine District: Know Before You Go
Just about 20 miles from Seattle, Woodinville provides a nearby escape from the big city. With over 100 tasting rooms, its four districts comprise a convenient concentration of venues for wine and food lovers.
The Wined District is located along a pedestrian walkway in the District Flats apartment community:
17401 133rd Ave NE
Woodinville, WA 98072
Free parking is available in the retail parking garage below the complex. When you reach your tasting destination be sure to alert your server of your license plate number in order to validate parking.
Businesses listed here are open Wednesday through Sunday, generally with later hours on the weekends. Winery tasting rooms typically open around noon and close between 5-7pm depending on the day. It’s best to check directly with each establishment regarding hours and reservations.
Wine flights (a selection of wine samples, usually 4 or 5 different wines) typically cost $15-25 each at winery tasting rooms. In addition to tasting flights, wines by the glass, or wines by the bottle are available.
Saturday is often a tasting room’s busiest day. To avoid crowds, make Sunday your fun day!
If you haven’t yet visited, go while the getting is good! This small pocket in the Downtown District of Woodinville is often referred to as a hidden gem by those who experience the treasure trove of delights. Consider it the ideal destination to have a “progressive” food and wine experience where a casual stroll from one venue to the next is highlighted with plenty of tempting bites and sips.
Special Events
The open-air Woodinville Farmers Market takes place on the lawn of the District Flats every Saturday from May through September, 10am to 2pm.
Hosts live music on June 1, 15, 29, and every Saturday in July and August from 3-6pm. Music will be outside weather permitting, or inside one of the tasting rooms.
Though we ran out of time during our visit, Richland based Barnard Griffin also has a tasting room and has a number of fun events planned throughout summer:
Page Bakery Pairing & Pop Ups are happening on 6/15, 7/20, 8/17 from 1-5pm.
Potato Chip & Wine Pairing on Father’s Day, Sun 6/16 from 12-5pm.
Trivia Night, 6/20 & 7/18 from 6-8pm.
What is your favorite winery in Woodinville? Share your adventures in the comments below.
