goose ridge
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
LOCATION : Hollywood District
HOURS (as of Nov 2022): Mon-Wed 11am-6pm, Thurs-Sat 11am-8pm, Sun 11am-7pm
TASTING FEE (as of Nov 2022): $25, four offered: white, red, mixed or cider
Situated comfortably in what used to be a fabric store, Goose Ridge is a warm, inviting tasting room offering a few unusual pours. In addition to their estate wines (a happy mixture of Rhone and Bordeaux varietals), Goose Ridge produces a rotating variety of hard apple ciders and has recently begun to expand into the world of spirits.
A $25 tasting fee will net you one of four tastings; red, white, mixed or cider. The wine tastings include five pours, the cider tasting 4 (still a generous offering at 3 ounces of each variety). At the time of my most recent visit the mixed flight included a unique varietally-bottled Grenache Blanc, a Rhone-style white blend, a Syrah, and two red blends (both Bordeaux style). The cider tasting (offered as a flight with all 4 pours delivered at once) comprised their most recent seasonal releases; pomegranate, blackberry, spiced apple pecan, and spiced cranberry.
Goose Ridge is no upstart newcomer to Washington wine; in fact, their estate vineyard is the largest in the state. In addition to producing their own wines, the winery sells grapes to some other brands, a common practice for those who own their own vineyards. Their winemaker comes from a prestigious background, having studied under Long Shadows’ Gilles Nicault and Forgeron’s Marie-Eve Gilla, and produces bottles ranging in price from $22-$65 (not including their forthcoming brandy). If you visit, ask your server if they happen to have the VIDO vodka open for a small taste; even if you’re not usually a vodka-neat sort, this grape-based neutral spirit may delight you. Their cider offerings (usually four flavors on a rotating set of taps) also provide a welcome refreshment for wine-exhausted palates, or those who don’t tend to wine in the first place. Growlers and bottles of Goose Ridge cider make a wonderful host/ess gift for a holiday party.
Reservations are recommended, but the lovely patio includes a multitude of heaters if you can’t secure a seat inside. Keep in mind that since Goose Ridge now serves hard spirits, minors are not allowed at the bar (observe the handy railing delineating the perimeter). Local cheesemonger Rachael Lucas offers a specially selected cheese board on weekends, but Village Wines next door will also deliver food to you in the tasting room. Dogs are welcome on the heated patio; they might even make a friend with the charming Golden Retriever who works the weekend shift at Chandler Reach next door.
If you’re interested in visiting Goose Ridge as part of your tour, let us know in the pre-tour survey and we will make arrangements with the tasting room staff.
Salut, and enjoy Woodinville!
