Columbia Winery

Columbia Winery is one of Washington State's founding estate operations, established in 1962 by a group of University of Washington professors, including the legendary Associated Vintners collective that helped prove the Columbia Valley could produce world-class wine. Originally operating as Associated Vintners, the winery was renamed Columbia Winery in 1984 and moved to its current Woodinville location, becoming one of the first tasting rooms in what would grow into Washington's premier wine village.

Under the pioneering leadership of Master of Wine David Lake, who served as head winemaker from 1979 until his passing in 2009, Columbia Winery earned a reputation for introducing Washington drinkers to varietals they'd never considered, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Gris among them. Lake was among the first to recognize the potential of Red Willow Vineyard in the Yakima Valley for Syrah, planting what became some of the state's oldest and most celebrated Syrah vines. His willingness to experiment across dozens of grape varieties set the template for Washington's famously diverse wine industry.

Today Columbia Winery continues to honor that pioneering spirit from its Woodinville tasting room, offering visitors a portfolio that spans the breadth of Washington winemaking, from crisp Chardonnay and aromatic Riesling to structured Cabernet Sauvignon and spicy Syrah sourced from premier vineyards across the Columbia Valley. The tasting room provides a welcoming, no-pretense experience with both seated tastings and a wine bar, making it an ideal introduction to the state's wine scene. For anyone interested in understanding how Washington wine began, Columbia Winery is where the story started.