My friend Zoe and I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous Fall weather last weekend and got out to visit a few Woodinville wineries. I was so excited to see her and to experience the beautiful scenery before the rain begins and the leaves fall.
We began our day at Heritage Restaurant + Bar. I had a really tough time deciding what to order. I have devoured the Turkey Grilled Cheese before, and almost went for it again, but I wanted to try something I hadn’t ordered before. I love the variety on Heritage’s menu!
A simple vase filled with rosemary sprigs looked so pretty next to my iced tea. Since Zoe and I planned to visit two wineries after our lunch we didn’t order wine. I love that Heritage restaurant has a wine menu that offers wines from several Woodinville wineries.
Doesn’t that look wonderful? Eggs Benedict is my favorite breakfast to order and I am always grateful for a scratch made Hollandaise sauce and a perfectly poached egg. Chef Brianna Beike did not disappoint!
Zoe is a lifelong vegetarian and politely asked if she could substitute the Canadian bacon for tomatoes in her breakfast. The friendly staff at Heritage was happy to oblige.
I ordered the House Reuben with a side salad to go with my iced tea. The sandwich was prepared to perfection; not too much butter on the rye bread, and packed with corned beef and tasty sauerkraut. I thought it was delicious.
Our next stop and first Woodinville wine tasting of the day was Novelty Hill Januik Winery. I knew it would be busy on a Saturday afternoon, but I really wanted to show Zoe this gorgeous space.
We enjoyed our first wine pour in front of this cozy fireplace. The crowd was social and friendly, and we chatted with a young mom about how much her daughter and son enjoyed the outdoor area. The tasting room is dog-friendly as well.
I couldn’t resist a quick pose in front of this red backdrop. With the red leaves scattered on the ground, it was a quintessential Autumn photo-op!
Here you can see how large the outdoor seating and visiting area is at Novelty Hill Januik. The winery is often used to host weddings and I can imagine what a stunning venue it would be this time of the year. Read more about their wedding packages here.
Zoe and I picked one of the last warm and sunny all weekends to go wine tasting in Woodinville. Luckily we caught the trees before all of the gorgeous leaves had fallen. I am grateful that we were there on one of the final warm and dry Autumn days in Seattle this year.
For our first taste of Woodinville wine that day we chose the 2015 Columbia Valley Merlot and the 2017 Novelty Hill Roussanne. I loved the Roussanne and bought a bottle for my wine cellar.
For her second pour of the afternoon, Zoe chose the 2015 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Syrah. This smooth, Red Mountain red had notes of blackberries and cherries, complemented with hints of spice and black tea.
I recently joined the wine club at JM Cellars and love going taste their wines and to explore the grounds. This rustic sign welcomed us into the main tasting room for our second stop of the day.
You can follow the walking path sign down the stairs to a small, artificial lawn area, This spot can host wedding ceremonies, or even outdoor games and parties. Trails also lead throughout the property that is a former arboretum. The trees and foliage here are exquisite!
I simply cannot resist photographing this door each and every time I visit JM Cellars! Inside you can see tables that can be set for weddings or special events. For more on JM’s weddings and events, visit here.
We sat and chatted at this table over a tasting of JM’s 2017 Bramble Bump White. This is a blend of Chardonnay and Viognier that was refreshing and danced on the palate.
JM is another one of Woodinville’s dog-friendly wineries. Look at the happy face on this beloved dog. I wanted to take him home!
JM Cellars is incredibly stunning as Autumn transforms the trees from green to red, orange and yellow. Head out to visit them in colder months as well, to sip Woodinville wine near the fireplace inside.
I asked Zoe to pose for a photograph as we were walking into the JM tasting room. Doesn’t her dress match the setting perfectly? She had been here with Carrie and I when we visited in 2017 and she was excited to go back. We both agree that the barrel room and wine club room are stunning.
Visit Woodinville this weekend and enjoy these final days of Fall or let us know what you think during the coming Winter months.
~ Jen
Resources:
Heritage Restaurant Bar website
Zoe is a personal trainer at CZ Fitness in Issaquah, WA. Follow her Instagram here.
