Woodin Creek Village
New Hot Spot for Sippin’ & Nibblin’
BY JEFF “WICK” WICKLUND
Food & Wine. Wine & Food. Anyway you’d like to slice or drink it, it’s fruit off the same Bacchus blessed vine. When you have that special gastronomic experience, when the artfully crafted dish melds seamlessly with a well constructed bottle of wine, you can almost hear an audible “click.”
This “chasing the dragon” phenomenon is precisely what turned my passing interest in wine into a hobby, morphing into a passion and then it just got out of hand.
If you share a similar interest in this perpetual palate quest, then it would behoove you to venture to a little gem nestled in the heart of what is already a vibrant and dynamic Washington State wine destination.
Woodin Creek Village is Woodinville’s newest addition to offering world-class wine tasting opportunities to ever-expanding and thirsty consumers. The twist on this collection of wine dispensaries is the commitment of some to showcase their hand-crafted wine alongside chef-inspired delicacies.
Alexandria Nicole Cellars’ newly opened Woodin Creek location is a testament to elevating the overall customer wine experience. The posh, sexy interior decor is eye-popping and the accordion glass panel doors unveil cozy outdoor patio seating where one can browse a menu of light bites designed to accentuate their elegantly approachable wines. A warm sunny Sunday found this particular cork dork reveling in the joy of a crisp, dry rose’ accompanied with truffled popcorn.
…little gems nestled in the heart of what is already a vibrant and dynamic Washington State wine destination
Just up the block a couple of doors is a truly remarkable winery tasting room. Bayernmoor Cellars has accomplished and excelled at what many have perceived as a journey to folly. Creating stunning, globally-good Pinot Noir from a vineyard outside of Stanwood, Washington?
Yes. Yes they have, and it’s a tip o’ the hat to the dedication and commitment to the sustainably grown vines that have resulted in the quality in the glass. What’s also remarkable is the commitment Bayernmoor Cellars has to the pairing of wonderful food with their delicious wines. The “Tasting Menu” is more than what’s just in the glass. A classically trained chef from another slightly recognized wine region (Napa Valley) has created a gastronomic fiesta for your senses. How does “crostini with duck rillette, plum mostarda and fried sage” go with the Bayernmoor 2017 Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir? One way to find out!
Across the street is yet another tremendous and possibly glutinous tasting and noshing opportunity. Rocky Pond Estate Winery’s mission statement is, “It’s all about the experiences…” and to that I say, “Touche!” The in-house chef prepares delightfully inspired pairings to accentuate the Rocky Pond tasting tree of glasses. The top of the tree can include a stellar sparkling Chardonnay and spin down to a decadent Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve all the while enjoying a bite of yumm.
Woodin Creek is also home to several other tasting rooms along a “Wine Alley” that opens to a tree lit center courtyard that feels like Christmas on a nightly basis. My old friend, Tim Blue has located his Adams Bench Winery tasting room along the Wine Alley where you can find Tim and his wonderful family pouring absolutely incredible representations of the best of what Washington State can produce for a red wine.
Also, fittingly representing great Washington wines, there is Ambassador Wines of Washington showing off their 100% Estate Grown, Red Mountain reds created by some of the best talent in the industry. Ancestry Cellars shows us the power of melding passion for wine with the devotion to family, friendships and memorable experiences. Keeping with that theme, Steven Carmody of Rooted Souls Wine is uniquely devoted to his passion to create a rose’ wine that’ll inspire the notion of a rose’ each day is a great way to keep boredom at bay.
Baer Winery, Brian Carter Cellars, Truth Teller Winery, and Tsillan Cellars are also wonderful tasting opportunities with, I’m sure more to follow. Restaurants currently serving exceptional food to go with the embarrassment of wine riches include: Brix Wine Cafe, Lifted Taco, Rusty Pelican Cafe, and Woodin Creek Kitchen & Tap.
