Sammamish Wine Lovers: Will Revised Passport to Woodinville Event Address Growing Pains?

Since its debut in 2000, Passport to Woodinville has grown considerably in popularity and scope. No longer a weekend of leisurely tasting at a handful of wineries, by 2010 the annual event had enough wineries and eager attendees that making the decision to go involved making a strategic plan to maximize your experience while fighting the crowds (not unlike planning a family vacation to a certain wildly popular amusement park).

If thoughts of long lines, nightmarish traffic and pressure to make sure you hit your favorites plus visit the new wineries you’re interested in have turned you off in the past, 2011 is the year to renew your passport, and you’ve got until April 16 to do it. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased exclusively through Woodinville Wine Country's website.

The big change this year is the extension of the passport’s validity from two days to six weeks,  April 16 – May 31.

“By extending the length of the program, we hope to give consumers more opportunities to discover some of Woodinville’s hidden gems as well as the chance to visit their favorites,” said Cynthia Dasté, executive director for Woodinville Wine Country.

In an ideal tasting situation, you can remember what the wine tasted like, whether you liked it and which winery you were in when you tried it. Cramming as many winiery visits as possible in two days is less than an ideal tasting experience. Giving passport holders more time is a move support by many of the wineries.

"Not only can they not appreciate the wines by the time they go to four to six wineries, from there it's downhill; it'd be much better for them to come back than to try and squeeze in another winery or two," said Brian Carter of Brian Carter Cellars. 

There are 35 participating wineries this year, ranging from up-and-comers to established pillars of the winery community. As a ticket holder, you’ll receive a passport good for one tasting at each winery, with six weeks to visit them all. There are some date resitrictions (don't panic, it's nothing like blackout days for frequent fliers), they are listed right in the passport. 

But what about those of you who enjoy the madcap fun and frivolity associated with a festival-type atmosphere? Passport should be limos and laughter and liveliness, you say? Then you won’t want to miss the kick-off weekend April 16-17 when several wineries will feature live music, specialty foods, art showings and more. Check out the event listings that follow for details on the specific wineries. Here's a fun fact to keep in mind while planning your itinerary of fun; designated drivers do not need passports.

Passport to Woodinville Kick-Off Weekend Events

Saturday, April 16

• Apex at Alder Ridge invites you to enjoy live music by Annie Lockwood, plus chocolate and red wine.
• Davenport Cellars hosts a jazz trio featuring Susan House. 
• Kestrel Vintners will feature the Diana Page Quartet.

Sunday, April 17 

• Davenport Cellars will feature singer/songwriter Annie Lockwood along with cheese, crackers, nuts and a limited number of pulled pork sliders. 
• Veraci Pizza will be set up in front of Davenport Cellars, Des Voigne Cellars and Pondera Winery on Sunday.

Saturday and Sunday, April 16 and 17 

• Anton Ville Winery will feature Pompeii Wood Fired Pizza.
• Baer Winery hosts The Tallboys on Saturday and Sunday. 
• Challenger Ridge will feature tacos and chocolates and Patit Creek Cellars will joining Challenger Ridge as well. 
• Chateau Ste. Michelle will have Skillet Street Food parked at the Chateau Saturday and Sunday.  
• Convergence Zone Cellars is taking 15% off 3-bottle purchases. 
• DiStefano Winery is offering a commemorative limited blend with a special Passport label for $14.99/bottle and serving up tortilla soup.  
• Edmonds Winery hosts May Palmer, The Queen of Ivory Soul, in the cellar Saturday and Sunday from 1-3 p.m. 
• Hollywood Hill Vineyards has invited the Bistro Box back for Passport.
• Northwest Totem Cellars have a free Wolf Totem hat for the first ten purchases each day, limit 1 per customer.
• Pondera Winery will feature a special showing of original oil paintings by nationally renowned artist Connie Townsend in the tasting room/gallery beginning this weekend.
• Silver Lake Winery kicks Passport off with a wine release, food and music.  Enjoy four wineries and taste multiple wines in one location.

Special Events

Thursday, April 21

• Third Thursday Wine Walk series begins this month and runs through October 20. The cost is $20 per event (bring your own glass or buy one for $5) and each month features a different theme in addition to a variety of local vendors, artists and musicians scattered throughout the area. April 21 is Quiz Night – find the answers and win a prize.

Tasting Room Happenings

Tuesday, April 12

• , 14421 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE, hosts an afternoon with the winemaker from 3 – 6 p.m. at the Carriage House tasting room.

Wednesday, April 13

• , 15608 NE Woodinville-Duvall Rd, hosts the weekly Wine Wednesday event from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. This week selections from two local favorites will be poured, DeLille Cellars and O Wines. $15 also includes pairings with classic Italianissimo appetizers.

Editor's note: This article first appeared in Woodinville Patch.