Visiting Darby Winery in Woodinville's Hollywood District with Tonja

A few weeks ago I met up with my lovely friend Tonja for a much needed afternoon lunch / wine tasting trip to Woodinville, and we stopped into Darby Winery. This welcoming tasting room has been open in the heart of the Hollywood Schoolhouse District since 2012.

The tasting lineup was very impressive, and offered 7 pours for $10, which might be the best deal we have seen in town. Notice also, the offering of 2017 Rosé which really made us happy! Halfway into Novmeber, Rose sightings in Woodinville are something we get excited over. This one is a delicious Mourvedre and Grenache blend.

We kicked things off with a generous pour of a 2015 Le Duece. This was a blend of 55% viognier 45% Roussanne was lots of pear, melon and grapejuice flavors, aged in french oak.

We were there on a fairly quiet, mid-week afternoon and had a chance to chat with friendly tasting room manager John Emory. John was very cool about answering all my questions about Darby’s Woodinville wines and the interesting decor inside the tasting room. Isn’t this old schoolhouse desk amazing? When you visit, be sure to ask about the history behind some of the installations. They have some great conversation pieces!

Any guesses as to what the “SH” sign on the wall might stand for? I don’t want to spoil the surprise, so leave your guesses in the comment section below and I will follow up with you. I wasn’t able to guess it, but I am sure some of you will!

Winemaker/Owner Darby English produces a second label, called The Native to help support Wild Steelhead conservation (the state fish of Washington). Your purchases and membership in the Native Club help aid in the preservation of declining Steelhead runs. What a great way to help with an iconic Pacific Northwest legacy!

If you like Woodinville GSM’s, you have to stop into Darby and give this 2012 The Flipside a try. I am a fan of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre Rhone blends and enjoyed notes of pepper and licorice in this one from Darby. I think a may serve it with a spread of savory foods at our upcoming holiday party!

Tonja relaxed with her pour of the 2013″The Darkside”. I loved this 100% Syrah, which retails for less than $30 a bottle. It was super easy drinking, with peppery and meaty notes and a smooth finish. A must try for any Syrah lover!

John told us that they receive plenty of requests from guests of the tasting room to purchase this Buffalo painting and we could see why (It is currently not for sale). I love the use of mixed media in this painting, and I think it goes well with the other carefully selected items decorating the tasting room.

This was the favorite red of the day for Tonja and I and we each went home with bottles of the 2014 Choas. It’s a 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 16% Petite Verdot and 4% Malbec blend sourced from the Columbia Valley AVA. We thought it was very elegant and velvety on the palate with notes of blackberry. I’m laying a bottle down in my home cellar to age and serving one over the Christmas holiday season.

Another noteworthy favorite from the tasting lineup was the 2016 Malbec! It was delicious. All of Darby wines are produced in Woodinville’s Wharehouse District, and their tasting room is open Mondays, and Thursdays – Sundays. We advise calling ahead if you plan to bring a group of 6 or more, due to the popularity of this tasting room and Darby’s wonderful Woodinville wines.

The tasting room is located in Woodinville’s Holloywood Schoolhouse District, at 14450 Woodinville-Redmond Rd, Woodinville, WA 98702. Contact the staff at (425) 233-7879 if you would like to get more information about renting this gorgeous space for a party. For more info on their three wine clubs, visit the website here.

We had a fabulous time and look forward to our next visit! ~ Jen