It’s here – the fun way to make wine discoveries and break out of a Cabernet Sauvignon rut! Take the #TryJanuary challenge and explore Seattle Urban Wineries. The idea is to try new-to-you grape varieties, wines, and wineries. With over 80  varieties grown in Washington State, and a proliferation of tasting rooms in Seattle there is a lot to investigate. Make it even more entertaining and turn wine tasting into an inspired scavenger hunt of sorts. The resources below make it easy.

Disclosure: I am an associate member of Seattle Urban Wineries and a volunteer board member. My idea for the challenge was devised as a way to help wine consumers experience some fun during what can often be a dreary month. At the same time, my hope is to aid the wineries and locals employed by them in the often painfully slow month of January. I am not paid for my work on this. Thank you for all you do to help the local wine industry thrive!

Explore Alternative Varieties

Use the graphic below for inspiration to try some new-to-you varieties. By the way, these unsung heroes are typically priced less than the ever prevalent Cabernet Sauvignon. So if you discover a new wine that you want to take home, it might actually save you money!

For a closer glance at some of these selections take a look at Twenty Fun Red Washington Wine Varieties You Need to Try.

Visit Different Tasting Rooms

With locations from the Ravenna/Roosevelt area down to South Park and in between, there are a number of destinations in which to find some new to you wines or wineries!

Taste Different Wine Styles

While many wineries age their most prestigious bottlings in oak barrels or their crisp whites in stainless steel, some are using vessels such as clay amphorae or concrete tanks. Why not learn more about various winemaking practices and explore some different wine styles?

About Seattle Urban Wineries

When Paul Beveridge founded Wilridge Winery in 1988 his operation in the Madrona neighborhood was the first of its kind. Since 2000 an evolution in Washington state laws led to increased numbers of permissible satellite tasting rooms for wineries. The winning outcome is a proliferation of wine tasting venues in Seattle. That’s great news for us city slickers who want a closer to home option beyond the drive to Woodinville Wine Country in order to spend a day exploring the region’s wine scene.

Did you know???

• Seattle Urban Wineries is a non-profit organization.
• The collective membership is comprised of more than 20 wineries and tasting rooms.
• Many recognize SODO Urban Works as a great place to experience multiple wineries in one day. However, it is by no means the sole wine destination in the city.
• There is a full list of Seattle Urban Wineries on the website.

Plan Your Visit

An itinerary for “How to Spend a Day Wine Tasting in West Seattle” by yours truly is available via Explore Washington State.

“How to Spend a Day Wine Tasting in Pioneer Square” is due to be published soon.

Of course, more winery and tasting room visits can be found on my Instagram account.

Meanwhile, explore Seattle Urban Wineries on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter.

No matter which winery tasting rooms you visit, share your experience on social media and use the hashtag #SeattleUrbanWineries. That way others can also be introduced to your finds. I can’t wait to see what you discover!!