Wineries, large and small, open doors

Heather Roscoe
Special to the Weekly

The sounds of happiness drifted across the sun-soaked Sammamish Valley last weekend as 3,000 local residents raised their glasses for this year’s Passport to Woodinville wine tasting weekend and celebrated the area’s most valuable and enjoyable economic resource: vino.

Little do most Woodinville residents know, but between Redmond and Woodinville, 15 small (and two large) wineries press, age and bottle year round, all with their own unique character and special blends.

From the dusky caverns of Chateau Ste. Michelle to the blue, beglittered warehouse walls of Austin Robaire, wine makers proudly dispensed sips of deep reds and crystal chilled whites last weekend. The employees at the larger wineries demonstrated calm finesse and knowledge of their product, but pride sparkled in the eyes of the smaller winery owners as they answered questions and talked with tour-goers.

“This is our only advertising for the whole year,” said Lance Baer, the owner of Baer Winery, a four-year old establishment that operates from his converted two-car garage. Baer winery sells 75 percent of their products to members on their mailing list.

Events such as Passport to Woodinville refresh the list with new names and good contacts.

Competition ceased to exist for one weekend as the large and small wineries opened doors on an even playing field. As he surveyed the crowds relaxing among the candles and cedar casks in his garage, Baer extolled the fine vintages at DeLille, a much larger winery on Woodinville-Redmond Road.

Many of the smaller wineries are housed in warehouses tucked away in commercial business parks. Laughter and good food enhanced the warehouse chic. Others displayed tasteful show rooms, complete with mood lighting and tables of wine on display amongst towers of oak casks and equipment.

Wine tasters appeared oblivious to their surroundings and were overjoyed at the opportunity to taste such a wide variety of wines and to meet the vintners face to face.

“I had no idea that there were this many wineries in Woodinville, said customer Mellissa Patterson, “It’s like we found some jewels.”

Although economic forces work against them, the spirit of the wine producers is jolly and optimistic.

“We jumped in it with both feet, said Baer, “and I love it!”

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