The 2nd annual Washington Wine Highway event is being held this weekend in Woodinville. This event is a great way to go beyond the bottle and connect with dozens of wineries and winemakers from around the state. I attended last year's gathering and found it to be one of the more enjoyable tasting events held in the Seattle area.

The venue on the grounds of Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville is a much better setting for a tasting event than being inside some cavernous exhibition hall. In fact, nothing beats being outside on a nice spring day tasting a broad selection of wine (70+ wineries) and sampling a variety of food (50+ restaurants). They have an impressive list of wineries and restaurants attending this year.

Spread out across a big field, the wineries are organized in tents according to the wine region they are located. This gives you the opportunity to "travel" from one area of the state to another as if you were driving east from Seattle to Walla Walla. It was a well executed layout last year, as you got to stretch your legs and experience something new in every tent.

Even better, at this event you can taste and then buy a bottle right there on the spot and take it home with you. Nothing is more frustrating than discovering a new wine at a tasting event, only to learn later you can't get it at your local retailer. You just can't beat being able to try and then buy wines from 70+ wineries in one place.

If you're looking for something fun to do this Memorial Day weekend, then head to Woodinville and give the Washington Wine Highway a try (maps and directions). The opportunity to taste such a broad selection of wine and food outdoors in a winery setting, rain or shine, cannot be beat. And connecting with the people and places producing Washington wine makes drinking it that much more enjoyable.

Hope to see you there!