Woodinville
About
What It Is
Woodinville is a city in King County, Washington, situated roughly 20 miles northeast of Seattle within the broader Seattle metropolitan area. [1][2] It covers approximately 5.62 square miles and recorded a population of 13,069 at the 2020 census. [1] Originally a logging settlement founded in the late 19th century along the Sammamish River, it transitioned into a farming community and later a suburban city, officially incorporated on March 27, 1993. [1][2] Today it is recognized primarily as the production hub of Washington State's wine industry, with over 75 wineries and distilleries operating in and around the city. [2]
Activities & Experiences
The dominant visitor activity in Woodinville is wine tasting and winery touring, with more than 130 wineries represented across the city. [2] Chateau Ste. Michelle, the oldest winery in Washington State and the largest single producer of Riesling wine in the United States, is located here and offers tastings. [2] Columbia Winery and Woodinville Whiskey Co. are among the other producers visitors can explore. [2] The city also has waterfront parks along the Sammamish River, and the flat Burke-Gilman Trail passes through Woodinville, connecting it by bicycle to Kenmore, Bothell, and Redmond along the former railway corridor. [1][2]
Practical Access
Woodinville is reached by car via State Route 522, which connects to Interstate 405 less than one mile to the west, or via State Route 202 from Redmond to the south. [2] King County Metro bus service reaches the city, with fares of 3 USD for two hours (1 USD for seniors 65 and older; free for riders aged 0 to 18 as of September 2025), and a park-and-ride near downtown provides connections to the broader metropolitan network. [2] Sound Transit express routes also serve the area. [2] A car is recommended for getting around once in the city, as local public transit is limited. [2]
Restrictions
No specific restrictions noted in the sources.
What Makes It Distinctive
Woodinville is unusual among Seattle-area suburbs in that it functions as a dedicated wine and spirits destination, concentrating over 130 wineries in a single city despite the grapes themselves being grown in other parts of Washington State. [2] The presence of Chateau Ste. Michelle, the state's oldest winery and a nationally significant Riesling producer, gives the district a historical anchor that newer wine regions lack. [2] The combination of a flat, accessible cycling trail along the Sammamish River, waterfront parks, and a dense cluster of tasting rooms makes it possible to visit multiple producers in a single day without a long drive between stops. [1][2]
Sources
- Open year-round
- Best months: May–October
- Typical duration: 6h
Access & fees
- king county metro bus
Things to do
- 130+ wineries represented
- cycling burke-gilman trail
Amenities
- park-and-ride near downtown
- willows lodge
Features
- 130+ wineries
- chateau ste. michelle winery
- sammamish river parks
Nearby
- It is a part of the Seattle metropolitan area in the Eastside.
- Kenmore, via Burke-Gilman Trail
- redmond, south via sr-202
- seattle, 20 mi sw
Good to know
- car recommended locally
- city hall address
- Sound Transit express routes serve area
- WA-522 connects to I-405