Hoodsport Winery
Hoodsport Winery’s label recently underwent a significant change as part of its distinctive “Orca” series of wines. It’s a dramatic change for a winery that has been a steady producer of fine wines for more than 30 years. Fortunately for consumers, only the label has changed—the quaint tasting room, friendly staff, and great views of the Hood Canal all remain the same.
Dick Patterson continues as Hoodsport’s winemaker even though the winery has recently inked a strategic marketing arrangement with Washington Wine & Beverage Company (parent company of Silver Lake Winery and Glen Fiona). Perhaps this new strategic relationship has updated its image but the bread-and-butter basics remain the same.
Hoodsport produces a unique red wine called “Island Belle” (part Labrusca and part vinifera). The vines for this varietal are found on Stretch Island near Olympia and are about 100 years old, as noted in the Wine Project Book by Ron Irvine and Walter J. Clore. It’s worth asking if Hoodsport has this wine available for tasting, because you will not find it anywhere else.
After you sample some of the vinifera varietals (e.g., syrah, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, gewürztraminer, chenin blanc, riesling, sauvignon blanc, semillon, and merlot), you might want to end your tasting experience on a “sweet” note with a taste of Hoodsport’s fruit wine. Hoodsport specializes in raspberry, rhubarb, and loganberry wines. The raspberry wine has made off with some top honors and can be enjoyed by itself or soaked up in pound cake accompanied by fresh raspberries.
With majestic views of the Olympic Mountains and Hood Canal, the Hoodsport Winery is a mandatory stop along Route 101.
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Order the book!
Hoodsport Winery was featured in WineTrails of Washington as part of the Bainbridge Island-Hoodsport-Shelton WineTrail on page 76!
