Wine Tasting at Chateau Ste. Michelle (Full Review!)
Last Updated on April 12, 2024 by Kelly
Washington State is the second largest wine producer in the United States, and Chateau Ste. Michelle is one of our favorite wineries to visit! The Chateau Ste. Michelle winery is located in Woodinville, which is packed with dozens of wineries. We’ve been to Chateau Ste. Michelle many times over the years, and it’s one of our favorite Woodinville Wineries due to its scenic location and excellent wines. In this post, we’ll share our full review of wine tasting at Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery.
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When we visit Woodinville, we typically like to visit two or three wineries during the same day. You can review our full guide to Woodinville Wineries in advance of your visit.
Directions
Chateau Ste. Michelle is located in the city of Woodinville, Washington. (Woodinville is about 19 miles northeast from Seattle.)
About Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery is one of the premier wineries in Woodinville. It’s the oldest winery in all of Washington State. It was first established in 1912.
The Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery is located on a gorgeous estate that contains a beautiful French-inspired chateau, expansive lawns, and a tasting room.
Chateau Ste. Michelle makes red wine, white wine, and rosé. There’s something for everyone on their tasting menu! Many of their wines are award-winning.
Chateau Ste. Michelle is a very popular winery. On a sunny day, you’ll see people on a picnic blankets dotted all across the lawn. Pack your own picnic and enjoy an afternoon at Chateau Ste. Michelle!
Important Information
- Website: https://www.ste-michelle.com/
- Hours: 11am-5pm Sunday-Thursday; 11am-7pm Friday and Saturday (subject to change)
- Phone: (425) 488-1133
- Address: 14111 NE 145th St, Woodinville, WA 98072
Wine Tasting at Chateau Ste. Michelle
Our favorite thing to do at Chateau Ste. Michelle is taste the wine, of course! At the time of this writing, reservations are suggested. (You can book through their website.) If you book their Feature Flight Tasting, you’ll taste 4 different wines. (The featured wines change monthly.) At the time of this writing, a tasting costs $30 per person. If you’re a club member, there is a discount.
Experiences at Chateau Ste. Michelle
There are a number of experiences that the winery hosts. At the time of this writing, the following experiences are available:
- Twilight Hours
- Chateau Picnics
- Astrological Tasting Experience
- Private Cabanas
- Grand Estate Tour
- Taste of Pacific Rim
- Secret Garden Indoor Tasting
- Patio Feature Flight
- Charcuterie Making Experience
- Library Tasting
- BLEND: Winemaker for a Day
- Brunch Box Experience
- Virtual Tasting
These experiences may change based on the season. Check their website to which experiences are currently available.
Events at Chateau Ste. Michelle
Chateau Ste. Michelle is a popular venue for events and weddings.
The winery is also a very popular place for weddings and celebrations.
Summer Concerts at Chateau Ste. Michelle
One of the best things to do at Chateau Ste. Michelle is to book tickets for their summer concert series! Each year, famous musicians play from the winery’s stage while attendees sip on wine.
When we lasted visited, we saw Jason Mraz perform. We brought our own beach chairs and a blanket. (Just make sure your beach chairs are the kind that sit low to the ground, like these ones!) You can also purchase seats closer to the stage if you wish, but we enjoyed the experience from the lawn. Be sure to check out their summer concert schedule.
Wine Tasting Tips
- Make a Reservation: In order to get your preferred tasting time, we recommend that you make a reservation in advance.
- Avoid Wearing Fragrances: We recommend avoid wearing perfume or cologne so that the scent does not interfere with your tasting experience. (Smelling the wine will enhance your tasting experience.)
- Take Notes: Write down what you liked about each wine. When we go as a group, we often rank our favorite wines. It’s fun to compare notes!
- Buy a Bottle: It’s always nice to buy a bottle of a wine you enjoyed. When you drink it later, you’ll have fond memories of the wine tasting experience.
- Ask Questions: Your tasting guide is very knowledgeable, so feel free to ask them any questions you have about the wine-making process.
- Drink Responsibly: Most importantly, drink responsibly and safely. Do not drink and drive. You can book a wine tour or use a ride share service if you’re planning on drinking.
Where to Eat
If you’re looking for food near Chateau Ste. Michelle, you have several options within walking distance:
- Chateau Ste. Michelle: There are food options on-site at the winery. There’s a section in the tasting room with picnic supplies (meats, cheeses, and crackers).
- Fireside Lounge at Willows Lodge: Right across the street is Willows Lodge, and their Fireside Lounge has some great meal options. One of my favorite dishes of all time is their Grand Marnier Wild Shrimp. Be sure to try it!
- Hollywood Tavern: Also right across the street from the winery is Hollywood Tavern. They serve burgers, sandwiches, and comfort food.
- Barking Frog: For fine dining, there’s also Barking Frog across the street. They serve breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are recommended.
Our Experience
During our most recent visit to Chateau Ste. Michelle, we celebrated a family member’s birthday. It was a beautiful sunny day in spring (one of the first sunny days), and we were grateful for the opportunity to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful day.
We arrived around 12pm and there were still plenty of tables and chairs outside. We found a table under a shady tree and unpacked a picnic. The grounds started getting busier around 1pm, and plenty of people had picnic blankets out on the lawn.
We walked into the tasting room and ordered two bottles of wine at the counter. They uncorked the bottles for us and provided us with stemware. We tried a white wine and a rosé , and both were delicious!
Our daughter enjoyed running around the lawn, and she met plenty of other kids also out with their families. She especially liked walking up the stairs to see the peacock!
We had a great time celebrating at Chateau Ste. Michelle, and we’ll definitely be back later this summer for one of their concerts.
If you’re able to stay the night in Woodinville, we recommend that you stay at the luxurious boutique hotel Willows Lodge. The grounds are peaceful and quiet, and the lodge is located within walking distance of Chateau St. Michelle. The lobby boasts a large stone fireplace, and the rooms are large and cozy. We stayed at Willows Lodge shortly after we were married, and we still talk about how amazing it was to stay there.
Summary
Chateau Ste. Michelle is easily one of our favorite wineries in Woodinville. We visit at least once every year (if not more!), and we always have a great time. I hope this review inspires you to visit the winery as well!
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please see individual websites embedded in this post for the most current trip-planning information.
