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Northwest Washington and the Cascades' wine industry has grown tremendously in the past decade. While most of the wineries in Washington State are located on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountain Range, where the dry desert soils and hot summers come together to create near-perfect growing conditions, there are over 25 different wineries spread across the environs in and around Seattle as well as the Olympic Peninsula.
The Lemberger grape is unique to this region, which is also a major American vinifera wine producer. The vast majority of wine produced here is varietal - Chardonnay, Riesling, and Semillon white wines, as well as reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are quite popular. On the western side of the Cascade Mountain Range, the climate of the Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean is conducive for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.
Greenbank Cellars
Located in Greenbank, Washington, this winery can be found on Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound. Greenbank Cellars has been making fruit wines since 1991 and grape wines since 1997. The farms and vineyards of Greenbank Cellars cover a small area, less than five acres wide, and produces grapes suitable to the Puget Sound Appellation. The winery's particular specialties are Alsatian style white wines, barrel-aged red wines, and Loganberry wine. There is a tasting room at Greenbank Cellars, but it can only be visited by prearranged appointment.
Whidbey Island Vineyard and Winery
Also on Whidbey Island, in the town of Langley, sits the Whidbey Island Vineyard and Winery. The winery is home to a small vineyard of just seven acres, which produces Lemberger wines, Cabernets, Merlot, Syrah, and Pinot wines. There is also a tasting room that is open over the weekend, from Thursday-Sunday, while tours of the vineyard can be had on Sundays.
Columbia Winery
Established by 10 friends in 1962 in Woodinville, northeast of Seattle, the Columbia Winery has been producing Merlots, Cabernets, and various varietals, like Cabernet Franc and Syrah for decades. The winery is housed in a Victorian-style edifice in the picturesque regional countryside. The winery's tasting room is the largest in the state of Washington and is open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Tours of the facility are free, taking place once a day on the weekdays and more often on the weekends.
Wineries in Seattle, Tacoma, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Washington and The Cascades
Wineries
Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
Whidbey Island Vineyard and Winery
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