Known as the founding winery in Washington, Chateau Ste Michelle Winery opened in 1967 in the town of Woodinville. Set on 55 acres, this historic property combines award-winning Washington wines with beautiful grounds filled with colorful flowers and exquisite art.
With over 1000 wineries in Washington, there are so many wineries for locals and visitors to visit, however when you arrive at Chateau Ste Michelle, one feels transported to a French Chateau where wine, food, art, gardens and music invite visitors to slow down and linger.
Visitors can choose from a range of tasting experiences, including curated wine flights, elevated food-and-wine pairings or simply enjoy a glass of wine while taking in the scenic property.
Laura Lee has been working at the Chateau for over 10 years and led us on a tour of the historic Manor House, gardens and into the tasting room. We started with a pour of 2020 Domaine Ste Michelle Luxe Brut inside the Manor House. This sparkling wine is produced using Columbia Valley grapes in the traditional “méthode champenoise” Champagne method. Tiny streaming bubbles offer the aroma and flavors of Granny Smith apples, brioche and finish with a hint of caramelized sugar.
The Chateau’s connection between wine and art is present through the Chateau’s long-running Artist Series. Washington’s Dale Chihuly glass art pieces are prominently displayed throughout the historic Manor House. As the first artist in Chateau Ste Michelle Artist Series wines, there are 6 exquisite original Chihuly glass artwork pieces displayed in the main rooms of the house.
The relationship of Chihuly and Chateau Ste Michelle’s date back to the early days with the launch of the winery’s Artist Series in 1993. This program brought fine art and winemaking together. Chateau Ste. Michelle’s winemaking team created a Bordeaux-style red blend and displayed Chihuly’s work as part of the visual identity of that vintage.
The team at Chateau Ste Michelle believe wine belongs within a larger continuum of cultural experiences that included food, music and the arts. The philosophy became the foundation for the Artist Series. Over the years, the series has featured artists working in glass, sculpture, painting, fiber and other media.
The Chihuly relationship was revisited for the 20th vintage of the Artist Series. For the 2012 Artist Series, Chihuly provided the artwork for the label, selecting his Cast Silver Venetian, a sculpture inspired by his Venetian series. The sculpture was cast in sterling silver at the Walla Walla Foundry.
This collaboration with artists also supports the next generation of glass artists. Chateau Ste Michelle has committed to funding an Artist in Residency Scholarship at Pilchuck Glass School, the internationally recognized glass school co-founded by Chihuly.
After touring the beautiful grounds and gardens, we enjoyed a private Grand Estate Tour that features food and wine pairings. Lee enlightened us about their 2024 Eroica Riesling from Columbia Valley. As we took a bite of Phyllo Brie cheese enhanced with a sweet preserve, we learned that Chateau Ste Michelle is where the ‘House of Riesling’ started in the state of Washington. This elegant wine is made in stainless steel tanks to achieve its aromas and tasting notes of pear and lemon zest. Lee recommended additional food pairing suggestions that include bratwurst with braised red cabbage and Thai food.
Next we received a pour of 2023 Ethos Reserve Chardonnay from Columbia Valley to enjoy with a bite of Prosciutto wrapped Seattle’s Beecheer’s Flagship Cheese and a dollop of arugula pesto. ‘Chardonnay grows in every region of the world,’ said Lee. “In Washington, most Chardonnays offer apple notes, while in California it’s more tropical fruit notes.” This elegant Chardonnay rests for 12 months in French oak barrels to achieve its deep golden color. Lee recommends shellfish with this wine and also her favorite dish – Fettuccine Alfredo.
For red wines we tried two of Chateau Ste Michelle’s popular varietals, the 2022 Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot, known as Washington’s ‘Big Boy’ said Lee. Its focused ripe stone fruit flavors provide silky tannins on the finish. It paired well with salty triangles of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ cheese from Cascadia Creamery. Lee recommended to drink this wine while enjoying a filet mignon. “Fat and saltiness are this wine’s best friend,” said Lee.
The 2019 Artist Series Red Bordeaux Blend is a bold wine offering delightful bright fruit notes. The sophisticated layers of complexity enhanced the herbed crostini topped with fresh chèvre and olive tapenade.
We finished with a small pour of 2020 Whidbey’s Port and a piece of chocolate for an even sweeter ending to a delightful tasting. This wine is a classic Vintage-style Port, brimming with fresh berry aromas and a delicate spice. Winemakers carefully select small portions from each neutral barrel to create a gentle but generous mouthfeel. This truly age-worthy wine is an ideal dessert to sip and let the flavors linger on your palate. The Grand Estate Tour tasting is $55 per person.
The Chateau Ste Michelle is also well known for its live music, particularly during the summer with their outdoor concert series. It’s a popular venue for both wine and music lovers as well as visitors looking for an outdoor entertainment experience. Well known musicians perform, and there are also smaller-scale music events periodically in the tasting room.
Of the 100 tasting rooms in Woodinville, Chateau Ste Michelle’s Columbia Valley wines are a great value. Their Luxe sparkling wine, crisp Riesling, fruity Rose’, wisp of apple Chardonnay, robust Merlot, Red Blends and Cabernet Sauvignon are not only great table wines to enhance a meal, but ideal celebration wines for a special occasion, and wonderful wines to hold onto in your cellar.
