If your 2018 resolution is to visit new tasting rooms, here is the list for you. The perfect laid-back activity for any rainy, Pacific Northwest afternoon, you’ll find winery tasting rooms in every corner of our region. Each locale has something that makes it special, from music and beautiful views to food trucks. So if exploration is on your shortlist for this first quarter of the new year, check out these winery tasting rooms that have opened up in the last year, plus tasting rooms-to-come, in your area.
Lachini Vineyards
Just last summer Lachini Vineyards began building their newest tasting room in order to bring their Pinot Noir expertise to Tualatin, Oregon — the Winery Tasting Bar will join its two sister locations this spring. Although their vineyard is nestled into the hillsides of Newberg, their newest tasting room is convenient for the Portland dweller, just 13 miles outside of the city. The team behind Lachini, began producing wine in 2001, concentrating efforts on both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but their newest tasting room boasts much more, like Food Truck Fridays and music. The grand opening is set for this spring.
EFESTE
The families behind this Woodinville, Washington, winery have a long history creating fine wines, reaching back to the days of Prohibition. The family tradition of what began as “garage wine” lead to the christening of EFESTE in 2001 and now to the opening of their latest tasting room is in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood. The space opened in August just south of the downtown sky-scrappers, providing a wide variety of wines from Cabernet to Chardonnay and nearly everything in between in a beautiful, stand-alone tasting room walking distance from the sports stadiums.
Lange Estate Winery
Perhaps the only thing better than the wines is the breathtaking view from Lange Estate Winery‘s new tasting room. Since family’s first vintage in 1987, their wines have comprised of three different varietals: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, and even still 30 years later. The fresh Grand Tasting Hall is located on the winery’s estate in Dundee, Oregon, and had its soft opening earlier this month. They are now open daily before their grand opening on May 5 to kick off Oregon Wine Month. The architecture of The Grand Hall mimics the care and attention to detail found in their wines.
Brown Family Vineyards
Located in Seattle’s lively Pioneer Square district, Browne Family Vineyards is opening their newest tasting room in a historic building on Feb. 3 — a westside location to mirror its inviting space in Walla Walla. Browne joins the ranks of several other Eastern Washington wineries that have opened up in Seattle with open arms. The tasting room aims to service the Seattle-area wine club members and newbies alike, with winemaker John Freeman and the Browne family planning to regularly be in attendance at the 775-square-foot tasting room.
Domino IV
Located just outside McMinnville, Oregon, in Carlton sits Domino IV’s latest tasting room. It joined three other Domino IV locations when it opened in September. The vineyard-side winery originally opened in 2002 with married duo Patrick Reuter and Leigh Bartholomew at the helm. The Biodynamically farmed wines are poured inside this renovated 1916 red farm house, next to beautiful rolling hills making it a perfect place for a mid-afternoon wine tasting. They offer a wide selection of wines from Chardonnay and rosé to Pinot Noir to be enjoyed in the backyard gazebo or wrap-around porch.
Vanessa Vineyards
In the itty-bitty town of Cawston, British Columbia, Vanessa Vineyards opened the doors of its new tasting room just last summer. The vineyard sits up on a hillside and the grape vines are planted in rows of rocks — the landscape reminiscent of old Italy, with foothills and craggy rocks. Although grape vines are more difficult to cultivate in rocky terrain, Vanessa Vineyards boasts a distinct flavor and spectacular views to enjoy everything from deep Syrahs to lively rosés. Visits are by-appointment and open again for the season in April.
Sawtooth Winery
In 2016, Precent Wines purchased 40 acres surrounding its Ste. Chapelle winery in Caldwell, Idaho, soon after closing the tasting room for its Sawtooth Winery. The time has come to present the impressive purchase with the cutting-edge tasting room for Sawtooth on Idaho’s Sunny Slope — the doors fling open on Feb. 15. The $2-million-project includes new vineyard plantings and a 5,000-seat amphitheater so stay on high alert for events to come this summer.
