Where Washington Pours

Woodinville Lavender Farm’s hectare of lavender is abloom from June through August, but the property is open year-round for strolling, picnics, classes, crafts and demonstrations. 21 Acres Farm is a fascinating nonprofit farm, education center and market where visitors take informative classes on sustainability and more. Also check out Gold Creek Trout Farm, a “u-fish” farm with two ponds; BarnPlace, with barn tours and farm stays; and the Woodinville Farmers Market, which opens in May.

This bountiful region is always celebrating its agricultural blessings with innovative cooking classes, creative restaurants and foodie festivals. Take a cooking class at 21 Acres Farm or the free monthly cooking class taught by Barking Frog Executive Chef Bobby Moore. The Herbfarm Restaurant offers a hands-on experience that starts early in the morning in the restaurant’s garden and concludes with a fabulous nine-course dinner. Along the food and wine trails, you’re bound to make many fresh discoveries like Woodinville Lavender Farm’s lavender ice cream! You’ll be amazed by the diversity of crops and their abundance. We’ve been told that half a hectare of Sammamish Valley farmland can produce 130,500 heads of lettuce or 62,500 bunches of carrots!

Rent a bicycle in town or, if you’re staying at Willows Lodge, you can check one out for free. There are more than 85 trails and courses for bikes, ranging from mountain trails to valley pathways. Besides cycling, the Sammamish River Trail is ideal for walking and running. The 17.5-kilometer trail is paved, yet rustic. The Burke-Gilman Trail is a scenic trail that borders Willows Lodge and runs 42 kilometers, all the way to Seattle. There’s also rafting and kayaking on the Skokomish and Sammamish Rivers, golf at several nearby courses, and hot air ballooning above the picturesque farms and vineyards.

Another amazing thing about Woodinville wine country is how easily you can taste the whole state. Within just a few kilometers, you’ll discover wines from nearly all of Washington’s 13 AVAs! The Hollywood District offers destination restaurants and about 25 wineries within walking distance of each other. The Warehouse District is a vibrant, no-frills strip of small wineries residing side by side. The West Valley District is this region’s new frontier, with a growing number of boutique wineries and distillers operating at a slower pace. The Downtown District is a mecca for foodies, with a full menu of restaurants plus a winery all its own. In the past year alone, an impressive majority of Woodinville's wineries have earned international acclaim and 90-plus point ratings.