Hidden Gem Wineries in Woodinville You’ll Want to Sip Again and Again

Have you ever wondered what are some of the best wineries to visit in Washington?

I would highly encourage you to do some wine tasting in Woodinville and check out these Washington wine tasting rooms.

Woodinville’s wine scene is booming with over 130 wineries—but tucked among the big names and bustling tasting rooms are a few hidden gems where the wine is just as exceptional, the vibe is effortlessly cool, and the winemaker might even be the one pouring your glass.

That’s exactly what happened when I visited Darby Cellars, Damsel Cellars, and DeLille Cellars. Winemakers Darby English and Mari Womack, along with the welcoming team at DeLille, generously hosted us, took the time to chat, and shared wines with stories as layered as their tasting notes. These are the kinds of places that make you feel like you're in on something special.

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Darby Cellars: Unique Wine Tasting Experiences

Darby Cellars is tucked into Woodinville’s warehouse district. Step inside, and thanks to manager Teresa, you’ll find a well-designed speakeasy-style tasting room with serious wine credentials.

The Winemaker: Passion, Precision and a Little Concrete

Darby English is one of Washington’s pioneering boutique winemakers—completely self-taught and still deeply involved in every step. He hauls his own fruit, foot-stomps his Grenache, and has a love for concrete egg fermentation, which he swears by for the minerality and vibrancy it imparts to his reds.

Back in the early 2000s, when Darby began winemaking as a passion project, there were only a handful of tasting rooms in Woodinville. Now, with hundreds in the area, he’s stayed true to his roots—maintaining a small production (5,000–6,000 cases per year), selling only direct, and building a loyal fanbase with wines that are clean, focused, and full of character.

French Influence, Minimal Intervention

His winemaking philosophy is low-intervention, with a strong French influence, allowing the fruit to take center stage. The lineup focuses on Rhône varietals, Bordeaux blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Viognier, and a Roussanne rosé. While Darby is known for his reds, the whites are gaining serious momentum—and a 100% Marsanne is set to release later this year. (I’ll definitely be coming back for that!)

In the early days, the style leaned toward bold, high-alcohol reds—letting the fruit hang long for those big legs. But as palates have evolved, Darby is now picking a bit earlier to preserve acidity, creating more elegant, aromatic wines that feel a touch more feminine.

Fruit is sourced from nine vineyards across Yakima and Walla Walla, many of which Darby has partnered with for over 15 years. That long-term connection gives him a deep understanding of the grapes. Several of these vineyards are also certified sustainable—something Darby is passionate about.

A Warm Welcome with a Cool Twist

When we arrived, we were greeted by Teresa and Jeff with a glass of their Sauvignon Blanc. As we sipped this stunning wine, we explored the tasting room—and I’ve got to say, Teresa has curated an incredible space. It’s perfect for a Friday night with friends or a cozy date. There are comfy couches, casual seating areas, and a sleek tasting bar. But the real showstopper is the hidden speakeasy-style room behind the bookshelf. Pro tip: stop by on a Friday when they pour their library wines.

Mid-visit, Darby himself stopped by with his beautiful silver lab, Ash. As a former chocolate lab owner, I couldn’t resist the tail wags and puppy kisses—such a sweet bonus to the day!

What We Tasted

Big thanks to Jeff for guiding us through an unforgettable flight:

• 2022 Sauvignon Blanc – A stainless-steel standout with no grassy bite—just zippy citrus and clean mineral energy. Teresa recommends pairing it with oysters, fish, crab hush puppies, and even fried chicken. Challenge accepted.
• 2023 Viognier/Roussanne “le deuce” – A gorgeous white Rhône blend from the Columbia Valley, soft and round yet streaked with bright acidity. Perfectly balanced and oh-so drinkable. Can you guess how many bottles went home with me? 
• 2023 Club-Only Grenache – Just bottled the weekend before our visit. This beauty is 70% Stillwater Creek and 30% Stone Tree Vineyard, the latter adding a bit more earthiness thanks to its higher elevation. If you're a Grenache lover, you’ll want this bottle—joining the wine club is definitely on my radar now.
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  2022 Flip Side – A Mourvèdre-forward Rhône blend with a kiss of Grenache for lift. Aged in concrete egg for 10 months, it’s smooth, plush, and, as Jeff put it, “like a velvet hug.” Bonus: the label features Darby’s aunt and mom on the ‘flip side.’

• 2023 Cabernet Franc Rosé – Sourced from Stillwater Creek, this rosé stands out with a label featuring Darby’s iconic blue “power wagon.” Aged 12 months in neutral French oak to tame the natural tannins and earthiness of Cab Franc, it bursts with raspberry, cherry, pomegranate, dried herbs, and sage. It’s a natural match for paella or spicy dishes. Dry, balanced, and yes—this one came home with me.
• 2020 Bordeaux Blend “Chaos” – A rich, rounded blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cab Franc. It’s Jeff’s go-to bottle for a reason: approachable, dry but smooth, with nice complexity and a refined finish. Would pair perfectly with a ribeye.

Darby’s wines are unapologetically expressive. No fluff, no over-extraction—just beautifully made, honest wines from someone who’s been doing it right from the beginning. 

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Damsel Cellars: Mythology, Texture, and a Whole Lot of Soul

Just around the corner from Darby, stepping into Damsel Cellars felt like a whole new mood—in the best way. The tasting room was bright and comfortable with good energy, and winemaker Mari Womack greeted us with a warm smile and a lineup of wines that were just as thoughtful as they were drinkable.

Exploring Whites: Creativity and Practicality

Damsel sources fruit from seven vineyards across Eastern Washington, including Columbia Valley, Royal Slope, Red Mountain, and Horse Heaven Hills. While they work with a variety of grapes, recent growth has centered around their white wine program—driven by both evolving customer preferences and Mari’s creative spirit.

“It’s also where my fun, exploratory side wanted to go,” she shared. White wines come with their own challenges, but stainless tanks are assets—you don’t need to buy new barrels every year, which improves the economics. Capital requirements are lower, turnaround is faster, and they’re already selling their 2024 whites. It’s a smart way to bring in new customers through whites and then introduce them to the reds.

A Feminine Approach with Serious Structure

Mari trained under Darby English before launching her own label in 2013. She brings an intuitive, feminine lens to her winemaking, with a distinct aesthetic that blends mythology and storytelling—Persephone and Medusa all make appearances on her labels. But don’t let the whimsical branding fool you. These wines are structured and elegant, leaning on concrete and stainless steel to create clean, layered finishes.

The Story Behind the Name

When I asked Mari how she landed on the name “Damsel,” she laughed and shared that it came from her partner of 24 years after a flurry of name suggestions from friends. “Damsel,” he said—and it clicked. Mari didn’t want anything overly feminine; she was originally looking for something with edge. When she looked up the definition of “damsel,” she loved that it meant an unwed woman of royal birth—not the helpless figure we often picture. Greek mythology was a childhood obsession of hers, so the theme just kept unfolding. One of her first wines? “The Fates.” 

Wines for the Deck, the River, and Real Life

Mari’s mission is to make wines that “don’t have to wait for a dinner party.” These bottles are made for everyday life—picnics, patios, and even floating down the river. She works with vineyard partners certified for sustainability in Washington, and her use of screw caps speaks to both convenience and environmental impact. Great for camping, boating, or saving the rest of a bottle for later.

A Journey from Restaurant Floors to the Crush Pad

Mari’s wine journey started in the restaurant world. She began volunteering during harvest, and once she saw the production side, she was hooked. Determined to learn, she asked around and was introduced to Darby, who happened to be looking for someone to run his tasting rooms. It was the perfect fit—and a four-year collaboration that launched her career.

What We Tasted

• 2024 Sauvignon Blanc - Their most popular wine right now—and we could see why. My friend and I both went home with a bottle! Mari has been making this wine for about three vintages. It’s bright, citrusy, and super drinkable. Mari described it as “easy, fun, and flexible with a lot of different food.” She suggested pairing it with a watermelon, feta, and mint salad—or smoked salmon, which immediately had me thinking of my husband’s recent batch.

• 2024 Sémillon (Coming Soon) - A surprise addition! Originally intended for blending, the Sémillon was so strong on its own that Mari decided to bottle it solo. Fermented in stainless steel at cool temperatures (55–58°F), it’s crisp, friendly, and incredibly refreshing. Only about 70 cases were made, so keep an eye out—it won’t last long.

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  2024 Pinot Gris “Persephone”- Mari cracked open the first bottle of her new vintage—she hadn’t even tasted it since bottling! Made with 50% stainless steel and then blended after fermentation, this wine had a clean, slightly spicy aroma. Because Pinot Grigio clusters are so small, they foot-stomp the fruit to maximize yield before pressing.

• 2023 Boushey Vineyard Marsanne - A knockout. Not widely grown in Washington, this Marsanne had stunning aromatics—pear, apple, and apricot. It’s barrel fermented and finished in stainless steel, making it food-friendly and rich with texture. Mari painted the perfect picture: “Back porch, Dungeness crab or crab cakes.” She also recommends it with spicier dishes. A must-try.

• 2023 Knox Road Cinsault - A light, chillable red with notes of plum and spice—this Rhône varietal is typically blended, but Mari made it as a single-varietal expression. Great for summer grilling or casual dinners. She bleeds off about 10% of the juice during fermentation, giving it a deeper color and a higher skin-to-juice ratio. Think Italian plums, bright acidity, fruit-forward palate, and a lightly dry finish.

• 2022 Boushey Vineyard Grenache - 100% Grenache with depth and balance. Whole-cluster fermented, it builds up alcohol and tannin, but Mari gives it time to mellow before release. It’s fermented in stainless steel and finished in neutral French oak, keeping it fresh and lighter than you might expect—ideal with salads or warm-weather fare.

Wine with Soul, Made for Real Life

Mari’s approach to winemaking is refreshingly grounded. Her wines aren’t trying to prove anything—they’re crafted with heart, intuition, and a deep love of storytelling. They’re for everyday moments, made to be shared and savored without fuss.

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DeLille Cellars: Bordeaux-inspired, but uniquely DeLille.

After our visits to Darby and Damsel, we found our way to Delille Cellars, just down the road. We were hosted by Janee who walked us through their flight and gave us a bit of a back-stage view into their warehouse. This winery is not to be missed on your stop! And ask for Janee!

Where it all Began

Founded in 1992, DeLille Cellars is a Washington original with deep roots in Bordeaux tradition—but every bottle tells a story that’s unmistakably their own. Nearly all their grapes are sourced from premier vineyards in eastern Washington—including Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley, and the legendary Red Mountain.

With production now fully housed in their current beloved space, winemaker Jason Gorski leads the way, crafting standout reds and structured blends that define the DeLille style. Their flagship Grand Ciel Cabernet from Red Mountain is a showstopper: single vineyard, single varietal, single block—big, bold, and brilliant.

The reds are aged in ancient French oak barrels used just a couple of times, while whites stay fresh and expressive—think stainless steel for most, but the Chardonnay gets the VIP treatment: aged in stainless, French oak, and a clay egg. As they say, “she gets around,” and the flavor profile shows it—in the best way. Think French-style, not Napa butter bomb.

DeLille keeps things elevated without being flashy—consistently staying under 100k cases annually (around 60k), and letting the wine speak for itself. No need to boast when the quality’s this good.

The family name, once spelled “Lille” after the French city, dropped the “e” over time—but the old-world influence lives on.

What We Tasted:

• 2023 Rosé – 48% Mourvèdre, 46% Grenache, 6% Cinsault | Columbia Valley. I found this to be very light and crisp and enjoyed the gorgeous pink color with bright red berry flavors. A great wine to bring out and enjoy on a gorgeous spring day.

• 2020 Le Colosse – 100% Merlot | Yakima Valley AVA. I absolutely love a good Merlot! This Merlot earned 95 points and is sourced from several vineyards. Janee mentioned the smells of red and black licorice and I was immediately smitten. My favorite candy! It has a beautiful taste that is complex but inviting. Highly recommend this one.

• 2022 D2 – 56% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cab Franc | Columbia Valley AVA. A dark colored Bourdeaux-style blend with aromatics of berries like cherry and strawberry with soft oak flavors and a medium acidity. This beautiful red received 94 points from the International Wine Report. 

• 2021 Chaleur Estate
  
  – 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 9% Cab Franc | 2% Petit Verdot | Red Mountain AVA. I really enjoyed how aromatic this wine was. Very welcoming with black cherry and subtle espresso. It is a full-bodied wine with multiple flavor layers.

• 2022 Chaleur Blanc – 69% Sauvignon Blanc & 31% Sémillon | Columbia Valley AVA. This is my personal favorite of the line up. It has beautiful aromatics of apple and melon that transition into well balanced stone fruit flavors. It’s rich, smooth, and not overly sweet!

Ready to book a wine tour in Washington?

If you are looking for a wine weekend getaway to taste some small production boutique wineries near Seattle, definitely put Woodinville on your list! 

Whether you’re chasing bold Bordeaux blends or sipping your way through unexpected white wine gems, there’s something magical about discovering the lesser-known spots—the places where passion is poured into every glass and the story behind the bottle feels personal. While the wineries I visited on this trip aren’t on the typical tour route, Woodinville has so much to explore, and every adventure starts somewhere. If you're looking for an easy way to begin your own tasting journey, check out the Woodinville Wine Pass on Viator—it’s a great way to get a feel for the area and maybe uncover your own hidden favorites along the way. Cheers to the sips worth slowing down for.

Heads up: If you grab your Woodinville Wine Pass through my link, I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). It helps support the blog and more wine adventures!

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