Seattle Travel from The Wine Experience

True to its reputation, Seattle's climate is mild and humid. Make that wet, with rain predicted almost 50 percent of the time. It's great for the wine region, though.

Seattle is in the cool, wet land west of the Cascade mountains that run in a chain north to south through the center of the state. On the west side of the Cascades, the mountains force the clouds to dump most of their rain. Therefore, on the east side of the Cascades there is much lower rainfall along with warmer weather. That's the Columbia Valley.

Our starting point is east - toward the Cascades but not over them. It's interesting that "east" and "west" wine regions aren't defined by which side of the Cascades they're on but which side of Puget Sound and Lake Washington!

There are some pretty neat wineries in the Puget Sound appellation. Again, the mild climate contributes a lot. In Woodinville, for example, you can visit both Chateau St. Michelle and Columbia Winery. Woodinville is northeast of Seatlle and north of Redmond.

St. Michelle Winery, with consistent ratings above 90 from Wine Spectator has distinguished itself as a world-renowned producer of fine wine. The vineyards and grounds are beautiful and accessible and both landscape and architecture make for enjoyable walks and hiking.

Columbia Winery was founded in 1962 by a bunch of friends, some were professors at The University of Washington. Columbia Winery is a premium winery and began with the belief that European vinifera vines could survive in the harsh Washington winters. They actually outdid themselves and continue to produce very high quality wine.

"Seattle" is actually a morphing of "Sealth," chief of the Suquamish tribe in the 1850's. There's still plenty of Native American Culture to be found in Seattle and nearby. If your interests lie in that area, you can contact the United Indians of all Tribes at 206 285 4425. Anything else - from the deep past - from 20,000 years ago to the 1800's gold rush - to the future - The Space Needle, with its 500 foot high revolving restaurant, Microsoft, and Boeing - are in Seattle. But if you have just a day, you have to get to Woodinville.

The Wine Experience^sm is your gateway to wine country travel throughout the world. Whether it's a visit to Champagne, a getaway weekend in Sonoma, barging in Burgundy, wearing out your shoes walking the hill towns of Tuscany, or four-wheeling in Australia, the world of wine offers just about any travel experience you're looking for.

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