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Woodinville Getaway: Pair Wine with Adventure

Hear why Woodinville is the perfect Pacific Northwest getaway

Nestled north of Seattle is a wine enthusiast’s paradise: Woodinville. It’s a showcase for Washington wines, home to more than 120 wineries. It’s where you can experience the very finest vintages that Washington state produces — and meet the winemakers. And beyond wine, the area’s restaurants, boutique hotels, outdoor recreation and beautiful setting make for a perfect weekend getaway.  

For your Woodinville experience, why not pair wine tasting with adventures across the region? See a live theatre show, spend a day on the water, hike up a mountain, enjoy amazing food, explore new museum exhibits or hear live music. It’s all just around the corner from the tasting rooms. And as you plan your road trip, don’t forget your AAA Washington membership. As a AAA member, you can save on hotels, car rentals, event tickets, gas and much more.  

Here are eight reasons why Woodinville makes for a perfect Pacific Northwest getaway. 

1. There’s something for wine aficionados and newcomers. 

Fall in love with a new wine in Woodinville and ship a few bottles home.
Fall in love with a new wine in Woodinville. Photo: Woodinville Wine Country

Whether you’re a wine expert or just wine-curious, you’ll find something to love in Woodinville.

First things first, Woodinville has four districts. Each offers something a little different. Here’s what you’ll find in each district: 

  • Hollywood District: a unique blend of small artisanal wineries and some household-names of the wine world 
  • Warehouse District: more boutique wineries than you can imagine, offering the chance to meet small-batch producers 
  • Downtown District: tasting rooms, restaurants and cafés, plus shopping 
  • West Valley District: boutique wineries, distilleries and breweries 

2. It’s a foodie destination 

Woodinville is a veritable foodie paradise. Pictured here, fresh Northwest scallops.
Woodinville is a veritable foodie paradise. Photo: Jean Marcus Strole Photography

What pairs best with excellent wines? Food, of course! And fantastic food is what you’ll find in many of the area’s tasting rooms and restaurants. There’s something for everyone, from relaxed pub food to fine dining. Local chefs emphasize farm-to-table dining and prioritize locally-grown organic produce. 

3. Outdoor adventure is at your doorstep 

Kayak on the Sammamish River
Stay and play on Seattle’s Eastside, where you’ll find an abundance of outdoor recreation options. Photo: Woodinville Wine Country

Seattle’s Eastside—from Woodinville all the way south to Renton—offers biking, paddling, hiking, paragliding, horseback riding, climbing and much more. Here’s a sampling of outdoor recreation options: 

  • Go paddling on Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish or on the Sammamish River (launch a kayak, put in a paddle board; lifejackets are usually included in rentals). 
  • Bike the 10-mile Sammamish River Trail from Bothell to Redmond. 
  • Go paragliding on Issaquah’s Tiger Mountain. 
  • Take a hot air balloon ride and see Woodinville from up high. 
  • Visit Snoqualmie Falls and feel the power of the water as it surges 268 feet over granite cliffs. 
  • Learn about the watershed and hike through a wetland at Bellevue’s Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center. 
  • Choose from more than 100 hikes in the greater area. Use the AllTrails app to find the perfect outing for your preferred activity level. (Tip: AAA Washington members get 20% off AllTrails+.)
  • Urban trails connect each city. You can enjoy a long run or simply stretch your legs. Wherever you stay, you’ll find that the area is great for pedestrians. 
  • Visit Saint Edward State Park and explore its magical forested trails. Don’t forget your Discover Pass for parking. 
  • Take flight with Kenmore Air in a seaplane. Sightseeing flights depart from nearby Lake Washington, offering a unique way to see Pacific Northwest landscapes from sea to sky.

Tips: Don’t forget your AAA Washington membership for peace-of-mind on the road, plus discounts on hotels and gas when you visit to Woodinville.

5. You’ll be surprised by the variety of arts and culture experiences 

Chateau Ste-Michelle winery in Woodinville
Each summer, the gardens of Chateau Ste-Michelle Winery come alive with live concerts. Photo: Woodinville Wine Country

Woodinville and Seattle’s Eastside boast a variety of cultural experiences that are wonderful add-ons to wine tasting weekends. If you have a passion for the arts (or simply love trying new things), check what’s on at: 

  • Kirkland’s Performing Arts Center 
  • Bellevue Art Museum 
  • Issaquah’s Village Theatre 
  • Redmond’s Marymoor Park 
  • Woodinville’s Chateau Ste-Michelle Winery 
  • Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art 

6. Woodinville’s location can’t be beat 

J Bookwalter Tasting Studio Woodinville
Woodinville makes for a great mini-getaway thanks to its location near Seattle. Photo: Woodinville Wine Country

Woodinville is located about 25 miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, 20 miles from downtown Seattle and close to 12 miles from downtown Bellevue. It’s a great road trip from all corners of Washington state and northern Idaho. 

  • Thanks to Woodinville’s proximity to the airport and cruise piers, it makes for a great add-on to a vacation or cruise. Plan to arrive in the area a couple of days before or after your flight or cruise and enjoy a few days in Woodinville. It’s a short drive from Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, plus Pier 66 on the Seattle Waterfront. 
  • There’s a wonderful selection of hotels in Woodinville and the neighboring cities of Kirkland, Redmond and Bellevue. Choose a small boutique hotel a few steps from Lake Washington or stay in downtown Bellevue for shopping and entertainment. Or, stay a little further afield in Issaquah, where you can hike Poo Poo Point or Cougar Mountain before sipping the night away. 

Tip: Book your stay with AAA Washington and can get generous member discounts at numerous hotels and restaurants in the Woodinville area, throughout Washington and across the country.

7. Your wine tasting experience is what you make it. 

With more than 120 wineries, there is always something new to discover in Woodinville, Washington.
With more than 120 wineries, there is always something new to discover in Woodinville, Washington. Photo: Woodinville Wine Country

In Woodinville, you can do more than taste wonderful wines. You can meet the makers and take a deep dive into this fascinating industry. Many of the smaller wine producers offer unique learning experiences such as blending sessions, with the opportunity to meet the makers at special events. And those more familiar with Washington wines are practically guaranteed to find something different or unique. Here are a few tips to kickstart your plans: 

  • Local guides can create elevated wine experiences you and your group, taking care of all details and providing insights along the way. 
  • Tasting Passes are another good option for a walkable wine tasting experience. Purchase a pass and stroll between tasting rooms. It’s a fun way to try several new wines. 
  • Beyond wine, you’ll want to check out the distilleries and breweries. Woodinville currently boasts nine distilleries, plus nine breweries, within a 5-mile radius.  

Wherever your adventures take you, please plan ahead and have a safe ride home. Why not take a break from driving and leave the car keys at your hotel? Book a private driver for your wine adventures, join a guided bus tour, take an Uber or Lyft, or opt for public transportation. There are a lot of ways to explore the area — and no need to drive.

8. You can bring your Washington wine home.

In Woodinville, you can do more than taste wonderful wines. You can meet the makers and take a deep dive into this fascinating industry.
Meet the makers and explore production on a specialized tour at a Woodinville winery. Photo: Woodinville Wine Country

If you fall in love with a particular winery, there’s good news. It’s easy to ship wine home with you. Here’s how: 

  • Many wineries can ship wine directly to you at home. 
  • Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can check a case of wine for free when flying to one of 32 West Coast cities.  
  • Consider joining a wine club if one is available at your favorite winery and enjoy shipments year-round. 

Washington wine also makes a great gift, in part because many of the wines you can enjoy in Woodinville are impossible to find in other parts of the country. 

No matter how you spend your time in Woodinville, you’re guaranteed to be surprised by the variety of activities—and wine—you can enjoy in just a few days. With your AAA Washington membership ready, there’s no limit to the adventures you can have in this beautiful corner of the Pacific Northwest.

For even more ideas for your stay in Woodinville, visit Woodinville Wine Country, where you’ll find the latest news about special events, concerts and more.

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Road Trip Tips

Before you go: Get ready for your road trip with a AAA Membership. Get peace-of-mind on the road plus travel and insurance services and much more.

Save on hotels and rental cars: Unlock savings on hotels with a AAA membership. Plus, AAA members save up to 20% with Hertz.

Save on car insurance: AAA members save up to 8% on car insurance.

Get battery service: AAA Mobile Battery Service uses state-of-the-art technology to accurately diagnose battery-related problems. We’ll even replace your battery with a brand-new one if necessary, at a special member price.

Save with AAA member discounts: AAA membership gives you access to exclusive entertainment discounts nationwide.

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