Post Conference Wine Tasting Tour

Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour

Saturday, May 22, 2010

10:15 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Enjoy a wine tasting tour in the Woodinville Wine Country, a place where wineries large and small share a passion for crafting world class wines. Woodinville Wine Country is located 30 minutes from downtown Seattle in the fertile Sammamish Valley, a unique haven for exceptional wine making. Come tour 5 wineries, meet the winemakers, taste an array of wine styles crafted with attention to detail and dedication to quality, and enjoy lunch at Covington Cellars.

Getting the Day Started

Dress Code: Casual. Remember to dress in layers and to wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring a light jacket.

Breakfast: Breakfast on your own

Departure Time: Meet in the Fairmont Olympic Hotel Lobby, near the concierge desk, at 10:15a.m.

On the Way

On the short ride to the Woodinville Wine Country, you’ll learn about the history of the Washington and Woodinville wine scenes. We’ll also review the day’s itinerary and point out sites along the way. So sit back and relax in the luxury motor coach! Because once you arrive in Woodinville, you’re in for a busy wine focused day!

Wine Tours, Tasting, and Lunch

Stop 1—JM Cellars

You’re first stop will be at this beautiful winery, nestled on a wooded hill above the Sammamish Valley. JM Cellars is a family–owned winery working in partnership with a diverse collection of Eastern Washington’s Columbia Valley vineyards to produce high quality wines styled for balance, power, dimension and finesse. Best known for blended reds (they make three), many regard Tre Fanciulli as JM Cellars’ “signature” wine. While visiting JM, you’ll enjoy tasting several of their wines, meeting the winemaker, and learning about JM Cellars.

Stop 2—Covington Cellars

Covington Cellars is located in the Warehouse District of Woodinville. There you will enjoy a tour with the winemaker, hors d’ oeuvres, barrel samples, and lunch.

Making limited production of the highest quality wine is half of the goal at Covington Cellars. The other half is to make their guests feel like family. Founded in 2002, by David and Cindy Lawson, Covington Cellars is a true labor of love. Their fruit comes from some of the most respected vineyards in the state. Their wines are hand crafted, gravity fed, and allowed to age gracefully in a combination of French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels for 18-36 months. These high standards and constant attention to detail allow them to make wines with depth, interest and elegance.

Stop 3 –Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery

After lunch, you will tour and taste wines at the famous Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery which is located on 87 beautiful acres in the heart of Woodinville Wine Country. Founded in 1934, Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington State’s founding winery. Their vineyards, some of the oldest and most acclaimed, are located in the renowned Columbia Valley in Eastern Washington. The famed winery built its French style Chateau in Woodinville in 1976, and began offering tours and tastings at that time. As the winery grew, so did recognition for the increasingly top quality wines being produced in Washington State. The winery combines Old World winemaking tradition with New World innovation and is best known for its award-winning Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Stop 4—Darby Winery

Darby Winery is a fast growing new winery that was founded in 2005 by owner and winemaker Darby English. Located in the Woodinville Warehouse District, Darby Winery is quickly becoming a standout winery to visit, distinguishing itself as one of Woodinville’s premier producers. The winery’s focus is on shy-bearing vineyards and low intervention winemaking techniques. Darby wines are elegant and balanced, as well as natural, pure, and eco-friendly. Current production is around 2200 cases with distribution only in Washington State.

Darby Winery has done an excellent job creating a comfortably elegant atmosphere in which to enjoy wine and friendly conversation. We know you’ll enjoy meeting the winemaker, touring the winery, and tasting Darby Wines.

Stop 5 –Sparkman Winery

Sparkman Winery is located in the Woodinville Warehouse District. Founded in 2004, Sparkman is a family owned and operated winery committed to producing the finest wines possible. Their wines are made to enjoy now or cellar for many years. Sparkman Winery has made vineyard sourcing their highest priority and only source fruit from growers whose commitment to quality, mirrors their own. They work with their growers to achieve maximum flavor intensity at harvest and carefully select only the finest French oak cooperages to ensure subtle and seamless integration of flavors during time in the barrel.

This winery believes that Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are the quintessential Washington State varietals. Their winemaking team is small, passionate, and committed to the highest quality—employing both traditional methods and innovative techniques. Meticulous attention to detail, from vineyard site management through the multitudes of winemaking processes, ensures that Sparkman’s commitment to quality is realized in each bottle. Sparkman’s style is one of power, finesse, of robust terroir, and refined elegance.

Days End

Relax in the luxury coach as we return you to the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, reflecting on the enjoyable day spent in Woodinville’s Wine Country.