The holidays are quickly approaching and if you have a Washington Wine Lover on your shopping list, you might be struggling with what to buy. My guess is he or she already has a fancy wine key, plenty of stemware, and a drawer full of bottle stoppers. It could be a safer bet to buy wine, but sometimes it can be difficult to decide on a single bottle or even a year-long club membership.
What if there was a way to give the gift of more than 150 wines for less than $100?
Hang on to your corks because the Passport to Woodinville is THAT Christmas Miracle.
A two-pack of Passports, found at Seattle-area Costco stores, retails for $99. Each passport is valid for one standard complimentary tasting at more than 50 participating wineries. Most tasting rooms usually charge a small fee ($5-$20) to taste their wines, so if you visit fewer than a dozen tasting rooms over the course of 2017, it’s paid for itself.
The Passport is a genius gift for wine lovers who like to try before they buy and want to truly dive into the world of Washington wine. For sommelier students like me it’s a cost-effective way to train my palate and learn more about our local enologists.
But wait, there’s more! The Passport is also valid at a handful of Woodinville breweries and distilleries, too.
The Passport to Woodinville is located near the gift cards at Costco. Can’t find it? Check the end caps. Take the large cardboard cutout to the cashier to exchange it for the booklets and instructions. Passports must be activated online before first use and are valid the full year 2017.
Pro Tip: If you have a group of six or more using Passports, please call your selected tasting room(s) beforehand and make a courtesy reservation. You’ll get better service and the staff will appreciate the advance notice.
Last but not least, Passport owners receive special discounts at popular Woodinville Wine Country events throughout the year. I seriously can’t wait to start collecting all the winery stamps in January. Bubbles, anyone?
Salud!
Amy L. Dickson is a communications professional, freelance writer, and contributor to Rain or Shine Guides. She’s currently training at the NW Wine Academy for her Level 1 sommelier certification. Follow her at @amyldickson75.