3 Great Wineries in Washington (& Tips On How To Best Visit Them!)
The best Washington wineries have a lot more to offer than you may think. They’re a terrific way to see the North Pacific landscape and they’re also kid friendly! We’ve narrowed down 3 great wineries that you don’t want to miss on your family vacation to Washington State.
Over the years, Washington State has earned its place as a fantastic wine region. It’s the second largest wine producing area in the U.S. (Only California produces more American wine.) And sources like Forbes have gone so far as to name Washington the most underrated wine region in the world.
But, enjoying Washington wine is unique. Washington wine country is, in some ways, more spread out than California’s. And it’s grape-growing hub, Walla Walla, is farther from a big city with a major airport.
Yet that doesn’t mean some of the best wineries in Washington aren’t easily accessible from Seattle, the state’s biggest city. In fact, tasting rooms are plentiful throughout the area around Seattle. And many vineyards are located within an easy day trip or fun weekend getaway from Seattle.
There’s also good news for families. We found wineries in the region to be super kid-friendly. Our kids tagged along with us to visit some great Washington wineries. And I’m not sure who had more fun - us or them.
Because lists of the best Washington wineries can be a bit overwhelming, we’re narrowing it down for you. We found a few favorite wineries that are all within 2 1/2 hours or less of Seattle. They’ve got room for the kids to roam. And they have great wine of course.
We’ve picked 3 of our very favorite and best Washington wineries. And we’re throwing in a tip for each one on how to make the most of your visit there.
J Bell Cellars: One of the Best Washington Wineries for a Boutique Experience
Located about 2 1/2 hours from Seattle in Zillah, Washington, J Bell Cellars was our favorite Washington winery.
The drive alone was worth the trip.
Columbia Valley, where many wineries are located, boasts a completely different landscape than Seattle. The Cascade Mountains create a phenomenon called a rain shadow. So although Seattle is very rainy during the winter, Columbia Valley has 300 days of sunshine.
The rolling hills travelers seen en route are striped brown and green, alternating between irrigated and non-irrigated land. The weather is also often perfect for enjoying eating and wine-tasting outside.
And that’s just the “getting there” part.
Once on property at J Bell, it just gets better.
If you visit while the lavender fields are blooming, carpets of purple and white lavender surround the property. The garage-turned-tasting room is decorated with little white lights and plenty of outdoor space. The space is so cute I even took a picture of the perfect little settee in the bathroom.
J Bell Cellars is also great for kids because of all there is to keep them entertained. The resident dogs, cats, koi, ducks and other wildlife were a huge highlight for my kids. Plus, there’s room to run.
For both kids and adults, the food is fantastic. No sub-par bar grub here. The menu features yummy salads, gourmet pizzas, and other dishes.
TIP: You can book a meal and tasting at J Bell Cellars on OpenTable to check the box for both wine tasting and lunch or dinner.
Treveri Cellars: One of the Best Washington Wineries for a Unique Take on the Area’s Wine
That beautiful and unique east-of-the-mountains Washington landscape takes center stage at another of the best Washington wineries.
At Treveri Cellars, guests can taste wine, enjoy a terrific menu of food, and catch a great view on the deck.
And it’s just down the road from Zillah, where J Bell Cellars is located.
Treveri’s tasting room is beside one of the company’s vineyard locations in Wapato, Washington, about 2 hours and 20 minutes from Seattle.
We loved visiting Treveri because they produce only handcrafted sparkling wines. In fact, they’re the state’s only producer of exclusively sparkling wines. It’s a great change from the somewhat more traditional red or white wine producing wineries.
Treveri also have a unique take on sparkling wine. The winemakers utilize both commonly used grapes as well as more unique ones, like those harvested to make Riesling.
TIP: A stop at Snoqualmie Falls on a trip from Seattle to the Columbia Valley Washington wine region is well worth it. The beautiful spot is a great way to see two different Washington landscapes. And the Salish Lodge makes a memorable dinner option on your way back from a weekend or day trip from Seattle.
Chateau Ste. Michelle: One of the Best Washington Wineries to Wow You
The name of the next winery on the list, Chateau Ste. Michelle, is pretty telling. You will truly feel like you’ve arrived at a European chateau when you visit.
If I were a modern-day Cinderella, this is exactly where I would want to live. The estate-style property is located on over 100 acres of land, on which their white wine grapes are grown. It resembles a castle, somehow both grand and cozy in the same space.
Visitors get to taste one of the most well known Washington wines because Chateau Ste. Michelle is the state’s oldest and biggest winery. At the winery, you can try some widely distributed wines as well as their harder to find bottles.
We found the sommeliers at Chateau Ste. Michelle to be super knowledgeable yet down-to-earth and friendly. Tasting wines, walking the grounds, or even catching a hosted concert are great ways to spend a day there. Kids will enjoy catching a glimpse of the resident peacock, as well as feeding the trout, duck and geese.
Chateau Ste. Michelle is located in Woodinville, less than 20 miles outside of Seattle. At only about 1/2 hour from the city, it’s a perfect day trip from Seattle.
TIP: Think about skipping the “day trip from Seattle part”. Make Woodinville your home base during your Washington state vacation! Bike trails and a small town feel make the area a perfect place for families. You’ll still get to experience all Seattle has to offer because the city is so close.
