Silver Lake Winery

Are you interested in owning a winery but need to keep your day job? Would you like to enjoy the benefits of winery ownership (e.g., discounts on wine, dibs on new releases, and hobnobbing with other wine owners at special events)? If so, put your money where your mouth is and buy some stock in Silver Lake Winery. It is one of the largest consumer-owned wineries in the U.S. and boasts more than 2,000 shareholders.

Silver Lake Winery is one of the top 10 producing wineries in Washington and relatively old in Washington-winery years. Starting in 1989, three University of Washington professors crushed their first vintage. As Silver Lake lore tells it, their “hobby got out of control” and today they produce more than 25,000 cases a year to diehard Silver Lake fans.

Silver Lake’s tasting rooms can be found in Woodinville, Leavenworth, and Zillah. Although the three locations are quite different from one another, they all offer the same line-up of exceptional wines sold at good prices.

The Woodinville tasting room is located on the main road near the Columbia Winery. It’s a rather modern, glassy-pointy structure, but don’t get too comfortable with this setting. Silver Lake is in the process of building a new tasting room, which will be a part of a large complex housing its winery and retail services. Once completed, the new complex will dwarf the existing tasting room. Shareholders will be very proud to show off this new setting, and there’s no doubt it will become a Woodinville destination.

On the other side of the mountains, in sparsely settled Zillah, is the Silver Lake at Roza Hills winery. Without doubt the highlight of this winery—aside from the delicious wine—is the view of the valley. One can easily imagine hosting a corporate event, a family get-together, or a wedding reception at this location. The view is overlooking the Whiskey Canyon Vineyard and the entire valley, and can be enjoyed from the “viniferanda.” (What a great new word! Don’t we all need a viniferanda?) Bring camera, picnic, and bottle opener to this location.

About 100 miles north of Zillah, in the Bavarian-inspired town of Leavenworth, is another Silver Lake tasting room. This quaint setting is a nice pit stop as you stroll around and visit the many shops and restaurants of Leavenworth.

If you are interested in being a co-owner of a very successful winery—and one that has a definite eye on the future—check out www.silverlakewinery.com/shareholder.htm.

Directions: From I-82 take exit 52 toward Zillah. Turn left on Cheyne Rd. Turn right on Highland Drive. Turn left on Vintage Rd and drive to the end of the paved road. The Silver Lake tasting room is on your left. (Note: Silver Lake also has Woodinville and Leavenworth tasting rooms.)

Addresses

• Woodinville WineTrail South

  Winery

  1500 Vintage Road, Zillah, WA 98953
  Hours: Daily 11–4 from December through March; daily 10–5 from April through November
  46.454996-120.240773
• Woodinville WineTrail South

  Tasting Room

  15029 Woodinville-Redmond Road, Woodinville, WA 98072
  Hours: Saturday 11–5; Sunday 12–5
  47.738018-122.156191
• Woodinville WineTrail South

  Satellite tasting room

  715 Front Street, Leavenworth, WA 98826
  Hours: Daily 11–5
  47.594421-120.663582
• Woodinville WineTrail South

  Satellite tasting room

  1500 Vintage Road , Zillah, WA 98953
  Hours: Thursday through Monday 11–4 from December through March; Daily 10–5 from April through November