Start the day off with a short drive across Lake Washington and along Lake Sammamish up into the Cascade foothills to our region's self-named Mountains to Sound Greenway. Our first stop is to visit one of Washington's most scenic attractions: Snoqualmie Falls. We will experience up close and personal the 268' waterfall tumbling into the emerald canyon below and discuss its cultural and economic significance. The surrounding area is overflowing with mountain peaks, forests, lakes, rivers and streams and is the perfect region to enjoy the outdoors year around. Your naturalist guide will help you spot wildlife and birds, and describe the geologic forces that have shaped the land.
After experiencing Snoqualmie Falls we will make our way through an historic farmland en route to the Woodinville wine region. Once renowned for its numerous dairy farms, including the world-famous Carnation Dairy, the fertile Snoqualmie River Valley remains a highly productive farming community with many of the farms practicing organic or other sustainable methods. We will spend the remainder of the afternoon intimately experiencing local wines just outside the small town of Woodinville in Washington's Sammamish River Valley.
The wineries in Woodinville share more than locality; they share a commitment to creating fine, world-class wines from the best of Washington vineyards. The draw of these wineries alone makes Woodinville one of the Seattle area's top visitor attractions. Since 1998, when Wines Northwest first launched their online tour guide, Woodinville has become a haven for fine winemakers. Their commitment to quality is quickly becoming legendary among serious wine enthusiasts, and their wineries have more than doubled in number.
Today we will visit two of Woodinville's most acclaimed wineries that showcase the variety of Washington State; Airfield Estates Winery and Hollywood Hill Vineyards. Our focus is not only on the quality of the wine and the exclusive experience but on the local natural history, the winemakers' commitment to sustainability and the practice of biodynamics in viticulture.
Airfield Estates' family-owned operation exemplifies the history of winemaking in Washington State as the Miller family has been growing and producing wine in the Yakima Valley of Eastern Washington for over forty years. Their intimate tasting room in Woodinville provides an excellent chance to taste quality wines and learn about the Miller family's commitment to reducing the use of chemicals in their winemaking and increase water efficiency.
Hollywood Hills is a family-owned vineyard that produces Rhone-inspired Estate Grown wines in their renovated garage and barn. Their commitment is to "produce small lots of elegant, balanced wines." We will take in the scenery of this charming winery nestled on several acres of historic horse pasture as we set out on a short tour of the vineyard with the winemakers. After the tour we will enjoy some barrel tasting of their Estate Grown wines and from there we move up to the tasting room where we will open our 2005 "Rattlesnake Hills" Cabernet Franc and 2005 Yakima Valley Syrah. We'll even indulge in an appetizer selection of local organic cheeses and some chocolate to pair with the fine wines.
With an indulgent afternoon on the wine trail, we now set our destination back to the Emerald City and drop you off at our accommodation so you can freshen up before heading out for an authentic northwest dinner… Ask your guide for some excellent recommendations!
