Where to Find the Best Wine Tastings in Seattle
Five Can’t-Miss Wine Tastings in Seattle
If you’re like us, you don’t feel like you’ve truly experienced a new place until you’ve sampled its unique eats and signature drinks. And while there are lots of options to tickle your tastebuds in Seattle, WA, today we’re talking about wine.
It’s hard to believe, but within the city limits, there are roughly 50 wineries and tasting rooms from which to choose. Leave the city behind, and there are more than 100 wineries and vineyards near Seattle. So, how do you pick the best tasting room to visit? We’ve curated our top-five faves to get you started.
Elsom Cellars
Quick Sips
- 100% “Seattle-Made” and “Washington-Grown” wines
- Women-owned and operated
- Part of the Seattle urban wineries movement
Our list starts with a Seattle winery that prides itself on producing 100% local Washington wine since 2006. Elsom Cellars is women-owned and operated, and its team is passionate about exploring the possibilities and flavors native to Washington state.
This winery offers a wide selection of both red and white artisanal wines, with a particular focus on the Washington Malbec grape. To taste their unique, local wines, visit their tasting room in the SoDo neighborhood of Seattle, and while you’re there, check out some of the other wineries that just happen to be nearby!
Tasting Room Address: Elsom Cellars, 2960 4th Ave S #114, Seattle, WA 98134
The Princess & The Bear Wines
Quick Sips
- Specialty wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon region
- Women-owned and operated
- Luxury wines at affordable prices
The Princess & The Bear Wines is the new kid on the block for wine tastings in Seattle. But that doesn’t mean they’re new to the wine world. They specialize in artisanal French wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the South of France (very specific, we know). Still, their goal is to make these curated wines truly affordable.
While they started as an exclusive online wine club, they opened their brick-and-mortar tasting room in April 2021. Don’t let the words “French” and “exclusive” scare you away, either — tastings are free for their Club members and two guests, and non-club members can taste for just $10-15, a fee they waive if you purchase a bottle.
Tasting Room Address: The Princess & The Bear Wines, 309 S Cloverdale St. Suite A1, Seattle, WA 98108
Browne Winery Seattle
Quick Sips
- Historical Northwest Seattle setting
- Specializes in Bordeaux reds and full-bodied whites
- Family-owned and operated
Browne Family Vineyards is exactly that — a family-owned vineyard built on the legacy of the current owner’s late grandfather, William Bitner Browne. Known for their premium Bordeaux reds and full-bodied whites, this winery boasts an award-winning winemaker who isn’t afraid to create limited edition, innovative vintages.
For wine tastings in Seattle, you can visit them in the 1906 Seller Building, a historic building designed by notable architect A. Warren Gould. Surrounded by an aesthetic from another era, you’ll enjoy “tasting room exclusives,” small-batch wines that are only available in the Browne Family Vineyards tasting rooms across Washington state.
Tasting Room Address: Browne Family Vineyards Tasting Room, 413 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Aluel Cellars
Quick Sips
- Built on a passionate partnership between the owners
- Specializes in handcrafted, old-world style wine
- Elegant, modern tasting room
Aluel Cellars was born when owners, Alex and Samuel, teamed up to combine their expertise and passion for great wine. It turns out they combined their names as well, forming the brand name for their winery. Identified on Yelp as one of the best wineries in Seattle, Aluel Cellars focuses on small batches of wine handcrafted in the old-world style.
From Chardonnay to Cabernet Franc, Aluel offers a selection of rich, elegant wines to choose from, and you can taste their wines in an equally elegant tasting room. Their tasting room is located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, just minutes from the light rail. Don’t miss a chance to sample award-winning wines while enjoying excellent service from passionate owners.
Tasting Room Address: Aluel Cellars, 801a E Thomas St, Seattle, WA 98102
Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
Quick Sips
- Celebrated more than 50 years of winemaking in 2019
- Extensive selection of award-winning wines
- Tasting room in a unique, French-style chateau
A top-five list about wine tastings in Seattle wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. Although it’s located roughly 30 minutes outside the city of Seattle, this one is worth the drive. Set on a sprawling estate with — you guessed it — a French-style chateau, this winery can trace its start all the way back to the Repeal of Prohibition. And it was the visionary founders of Chateau Ste. Michelle who set out to prove that Washington could produce wine that rivaled California and Italy.
Besides offering an extensive selection of award-winning wines, its tasting room setting is one of the most unique of all Seattle area wineries. For visitors who want to do more than simply taste wine, they also host a variety of tasting experiences, from a plant-based comfort food and wine pairing to a brunch box experience.
Tasting Room Address: Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, 14111 NE 145th St, Woodinville, WA 98072
Finding the Perfect Wine Tastings in Seattle
Seattle, WA has so many tasting rooms to choose from, but each winery offers something unique to enjoy. Whether you’re interested in SoDo wineries that celebrate the urban wine movement or a vineyard on the outskirts of the city with incredible views, you won’t be disappointed with the Seattle wine scene. Happy tasting!
Oh, and if you’re a newbie, we’ve got a little wine 101 post that you might be interested in – just a tip before you sip.
