What Woodinville Wineries Want You To Know

Everywhere I’ve gone wine tasting in Woodinville lately, I’ve been asking the winemakers and tasting room managers what they’d like our readers to know about the current wine tasting situation here.

Our Washington State governor recently closed the indoor spaces of bars, wineries, breweries and distilleries. They can only serve customers outdoors, on patios, and via curbside pickup – even if they serve food.

Our wineries scrambled on one week’s notice to order tents, find patio furniture or move indoor furniture out, buy umbrellas and awnings, and get licensed to serve wine in their newly created outdoor spaces. You’ll find lots of tents and shade umbrellas in parking lots here in Woodinville. Since seating capacity is limited by law now, fewer people are out at restaurants and wineries at the same time, so parking is plentiful.

Here’s an article on what to expect when visiting a #WaWine tasting room in Phase 2.

The wineries want you to know:

They’re working hard to keep staff and customers safe
They’re sanitizing surfaces constantly
The situation and regulations change frequently, so please be patient
Many of our local wines aren’t available in stores or restaurants; please buy wine!
Check a winery’s website for current hours and reservations policy
Make advance reservations whenever possible, and please arrive on time
Don’t move tables or furniture in tasting rooms
You can’t wander over to other tables visiting friends seated nearby. No co-mingling.
Be aware of any wine tasting time limits and courteous of those next in line for your table
Wear a mask (or face shield) and please don’t argue about it, it’s the law to wear one
Remove your mask to taste wine at your table, but put it back on to walk to the restroom
Drink Washington wine – August is Washington Wine Month!
Use the #drinkforwa hashtag in your social media posts about Washington wines.
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