Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour: Seattle Pickup & Boutique Stops

Summary

Wine tasting in woodinville from seattle with boutique stops and local stories

You’ll cross Lake Washington from Seattle for a day trip to Woodinville wine country, tasting at both flagship and boutique wineries with a local guide leading the way. Expect laughter over lunch, personal stories from winemakers, and plenty of new flavors—plus hotel pickup so you can relax into every moment.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really expect the drive out of Seattle to feel so quick — one minute we were weaving through city traffic, and then suddenly Lake Washington was right there, all glassy and wide. Our guide, Mark, pointed out Mount Rainier just peeking through the haze (I almost missed it). He asked what kind of wine we liked — I said reds but honestly I’ll try anything. The van smelled faintly like coffee and rain when we pulled up to the first big winery in Woodinville. It was busy but not crowded; people laughing softly over their glasses, someone’s perfume mixing with the scent of oak barrels.

The flagship spot had this sparkling white that tasted like pears and something floral — I’m not good at describing wine, but it made me grin anyway. Mark told us about the family who started the place back in the 70s. He knew everyone by name, or at least pretended to (I couldn’t tell). After that, we hit a smaller tasting room for lunch — sandwiches on thick bread, crumbs everywhere. The owner came out to say hi; she had purple-stained fingers from pouring earlier. Li laughed when I tried to pronounce “Syrah” the French way — probably butchered it. The afternoon blurred into more pours at two little boutique wineries tucked behind gravel drives and hedges. One had a dog sleeping under the counter; another played old jazz on vinyl.

I kept thinking I’d get tired of tasting but somehow each stop felt different — maybe it was just being with people who cared about what they poured. By late afternoon my notes were getting messier (“plum? pepper? question mark?”), but I still remember how the light slanted through those tasting room windows. We headed back toward Seattle around 4:30, sleepy and happy and passing bottles around to compare favorites. Not sure if it was the wine or just the company that made everything feel lighter on the way home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Woodinville wine tasting tour

• Depart Seattle hotel
• Drive 30 minutes to Woodinville
• Visit flagship winery for tasting
• Visit boutique winery and buy lunch
• Taste at two boutique wineries
• Return to Seattle hotel

Top questions

How long is the drive from Seattle to Woodinville?

It’s about a 30-minute drive from Seattle to Woodinville wine country.

Are tasting fees included in this Woodinville wine tour?

No, tasting fees are extra at each winery; budget $20–$40 per stop unless you purchase wine.

Is lunch included on this tour?

You can purchase lunch at one of the boutique wineries during the tour.

How many wineries do you visit during this day trip?

The tour usually includes four stops: one flagship winery and three boutique/tasting rooms.

Does this Woodinville wine tasting tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, private transportation with hotel pickup in Seattle is included.

Are there steep steps involved in this tour?

Yes, there are steep steps into the coach and some of the wineries/tasting rooms.

Can I bring my service animal on this tour?

Service animals are allowed on this Woodinville wine tasting day trip.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with pickup from your Seattle hotel or meeting point, a custom itinerary based on your group’s wine preferences led by an experienced local guide, visits to both flagship and boutique wineries (with time for lunch), plus comfortable return transport around 4:30 PM.