Seattle is technically part of the Puget Sound AVA, but there is a concentration of wineries within Seattle that I wanted to call out. These wineries source their grapes from vineyards in eastern Washington with the exception of a few of the Bainbridge Island wineries.
People who are new to Washington wine country, or who have not been wine touring before, should keep in mind that some of the wineries within Seattle and Woodinville are in “unconventional” settings, warehouse buildings, industrial parks, strip malls… the outsides are unique, but have no reflection whatsoever on the wine quality or settings inside. It’s purely a function of location. Wineries make their homes outside of the vineyards simply because it’s where the people and often the winemakers/owners themselves live.
If you’re local, or a visitor with a car, there is a concentration of wineries just south of downtown that offer excellent wines and a fun and inviting experience close to the city.
If you’re visiting Seattle, step on board the Bainbridge Island Ferry and take a quick ride (20 minutes) to three winery tasting rooms within walking distance. No car necessary and this wonderful day trip is a beautiful way to really get to know Seattle. Bainbridge Island has wonderful shops, tasting rooms and restaurants just a few blocks from the ferry terminal.
In Western Washington. There are many wineries in the Seattle and surrounding areas (outside of Woodinville -up to 20 minutes away from downtown Seattle.) Some of these are not open to the public without an appointment, but there are more wineries making Seattle their home. For locals and visitors alike, it’s easy to make a quick visit to near-by wineries.