Today is Day 1 of Washington State Wine Month, a 31-day, wine-fueled celebration of the state’s viticulture and enology scene. With more than 900 wineries and 350 vineyards, Washington is the second largest producer of premium wine and has been doing so successfully and continuously since 1967. Given those numbers and that experience, wine drinkers can anticipate a whole state-full of events, from solo winery special releases to multi-producer affairs. Here are five we recommend adding to your must-do list.
POUR | August 12 | This first annual festival brings together more than 20 wineries all within city limits, put on by Seattle Urban Wineries. Rock out to live music and street food at Factory Luxe, located in one of the old Rainier Brewery buidings in the SODO neighborhood. The “Pre-Funk” admission allows sippers in for an extra hour before general admission lets in to boot. Tickets are available here. | $30-$40
Kitsap Wine Festival | August 12 | If you’re rather get out of the city and head to the peninsula, Kitsap County welcomes you for its ninth annual party for food and wine on Bremerton’s panoramic waterfront. Benefiting the Olympic College Alumni Association, the festival offers tastes from 20 wineries and breweries — many hailing from this waterside region of the state. Tickets can be purchased here and include 15 wine, beer and food tastings. | $50-$60
Auction of Washington Wines Picnic | August 19 | For 30 years, the three-day extravaganza that is the Auction of Washington Wines has been raising millions of dollars for Seattle Children’s Hospital. If a gala isn’t in your budget, grab a ticket to the Picnic, a party on the lawn at Chateau Ste. Michelle. An auction for barrels, you can bid on wines before they even are bottled while mingling with the winemakers or taste over 100 wines next to tasty bites from the Tulalip Resort Casino’s lauded restaurants. | $150
SODO Block Party | August 26 | Nine Washington wineries — and one Seattle brewery — join forces for the second annual SODO Block Party. Food trucks plus grub from Nine Hats Pizzeria and Schooner Exact Brewing will be available for purchase to enjoy alongside wine and musical entertainment at each of the 10 venues. Tickets include two tasting and a $10 off coupon on $30+ bottle purchases at each stop. ten venues. Get those tickets here. | $35-$55
Wenatchee Wine & Food Festival | August 26 | Head Central Washington for this festival’s seventh return to the wine scene. Nosh on bites from a variety of local restaurants and caterers, and taste from wineries, cideries, breweries and distilleries, all benefiting the Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center. In a partnership between Foothills Magazine and Great Northwest Wine, the festival is the result of a competition that took place in June and winners will be announced while the party goes down. Ticket sales are here, and include a commemorative tasting glass. | $45-$75
