Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery — Restaurant in Woodinville

Writing this review as a concert venue, not a winery:

This is my least favorite venue in the Seattle area, the vibes are always off and I would suggest artist at book at the paramount instead.

Reasons: I have been the several concerts here and the demographic always skewed the same no matter the artists. Its always a bunch of suburban rich white folks in their 40-60 who rarely know the artist and it effects the atmosphere of the show. These are the type of people who would rather sit and be entertained than engage. I think there is several reasons for this. 1 is the price point for non-lawn seat, this venue will price out the real fan. 2 the location is out in the suburbs, so i think some people just view these concerts as a weekend activity and aren't going for the artist. People just never seem very engaged at concerts here. I think its bc alot of them NEVER KNOW the artist. Going to a show where no one is familiar with the artist can kinda suck. Its fun when people are singing along, getting really into it and dancing with one another. Shows are for the fans by the way. These people could go get wine drunk somewhere else listening to live music and talk with their friends. Please don't do this at concert while taking up the prime seat from actual fans. There is a difference between live music at a social event and a concert where the music is the POINT of the event.

The front area is seating only and security is very adamant about people staying near their seat. Usually during a show, people can get up closer to the stage, move around and dance. However, the security team is very focus on making sure people stay in their assigned seats, not sitting in it, but standing near it. Seated concerts just kinda suck. You want people getting into the music. The best concerts are ones that have a floor general admissions area with NO seating. That way you can move around, dance, get close to the stage ect. But all the fun is sucked out of these concerts at the the Chateau. I think to the detriment of the artist. It seems like artists have a harder time hyping the audience up when they corralled by security to stay near their seat. Why would I pay hundreds of dollars for an artist I love to be up front, to then have security draining the energy of the show?

This venue is well outside of Seattle. During traffic it is a good 45 min drive. Also, due to the location, you are really FORCED to drive. There are no convenient buses or public transport out there. Also, there is only one (one lane) road that you have to take to get in or out. It gets BACKED up. Even if it takes 45 mins to drive you are gonna be in an additional 30 min stand still just to get in the venue. The venue then charges extra for parking that has to be purchased in advanced. So you are basically gonna be spending an additional 20-30 bucks to park. So add that on to the cost of the ticket. Or, you can park offsite and take a shuttle (still sitting in that 30min pileup) for 20-30 bucks. Its really a cluster F*. At least at a Seattle venue you can take the bus or link, even rideshare would be cheaper for that than the 1hr + hellscape it takes to get out to Woodinville.

All in all, small and midsized artists, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not book here unless you are looking for the vibes i described above. If you want your fans to show up and really engage with the show, book at a standing room only (or at least front standing room) location. The paramount is usually excellent bc they will remove the seats on the bottom floor and easy to get to with public transit. I understand that this is a large outdoor venue, but the vibes are awful. I have been to many other amphitheatre/ outdoor venues that do it better. You can have seating, but don't do it in the very front! Let people have the option to move around, especially when they already paid for close seats. (However, i think this would go against the wishes of the demographic they are going for - so i would suggest to just not book here). You will probably get better engagement...

Title: A Perfect Blend of Wine, Ambiance, and Entertainment at Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery

Review:

Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville, WA is a hidden gem that offers an exquisite experience for wine enthusiasts and leisure seekers alike. During my recent visit, I was impressed by the vast array of wines, the expansive estate, the fantastic indoor and outdoor spaces, and the lively ambiance created by the summer concerts. Moreover, the excellent food selection and the option to bring your own food for a picnic on-site, coupled with the absence of a corkage fee, added to the overall charm of the place.

The highlight of my visit to Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery was undoubtedly the incredible variety of wines they had to offer. From robust reds to crisp whites and delightful rosés, there was something to suit every palate. The winery's expert staff was more than happy to guide me through the tasting experience, sharing their knowledge and passion for the art of winemaking. It was evident that the winery's commitment to quality and craftsmanship shone through in each bottle.

Stepping onto the estate, I was immediately captivated by the grandeur and beauty of the surroundings. The winery boasts a vast estate that exudes elegance and sophistication. The well-maintained gardens and picturesque vineyards provided the perfect backdrop for a leisurely stroll or a romantic moment. Whether you choose to explore indoors or bask in the outdoor ambiance, you're bound to find a serene spot to enjoy your wine and take in the breathtaking views.

One of the highlights of my visit was the live concerts held during the summer months. Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery transforms into a vibrant hub of entertainment, offering an exceptional lineup of musical acts. The atmosphere is electric, with music filling the air and creating an unforgettable experience. It was an absolute delight to enjoy a glass of wine while listening to talented performers under the open sky.

When it comes to dining options, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery leaves no stone unturned. Their on-site restaurant offers a great selection of delectable dishes that perfectly complement the wines. From artisanal cheese platters to gourmet sandwiches and seasonal salads, the menu caters to various tastes. Alternatively, if you prefer to bring your own food, the winery welcomes picnicking on its grounds. This flexibility is a testament to their commitment to providing an enjoyable experience for all visitors.

To top it off, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery stands out by offering a no corkage fee policy. This allows guests to bring their favorite bottle of wine or purchase one on-site and savor it without any additional charges. This thoughtful gesture adds to the winery's welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for both wine connoisseurs and casual visitors.

In conclusion, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville, WA is a true gem that offers a delightful experience for wine lovers and those seeking a memorable outing. With its vast array of wines, expansive estate, captivating indoor and outdoor spaces, live concerts, great food selection, and the option to bring your own food without a corkage fee, this winery has something for everyone. I wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery for a perfect blend of wine, ambiance, and...

The Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville is a very large sprawling complex of buildings, open spaces and, the reason I went here, an outdoor concerts venue. I can't comment on the inside of the winery as I did not enter any buildings. The outdoor open space is beautiful and kept very well manicured. I went to the concert venue to see Blues Traveler, Spin Doctors and Gin Blossoms play in the middle of August on a day when it was sunny and 89 degrees. There are two entry gates to access the concert venue. The north entry opens right up to the side and front of the stage. The south entry is a few minutes walk to get to the seating area. I went to the north gate entry. For parking, you have to get there when they open the lots up to get good parking. Ideally, you want to park close to the north entry gate. There is ADA parking close to the north gate. Most of the parking spaces are in full sun, so bring a car sun screen for your front window. I got there when the lots opened, so I parked very close to the entry gate and in the shade of a tree. After walking a short distance through the grounds, I waited in a very sunny and hot line to go through security when the gates opened which was about an hour of waiting. There is also an ADA line. Most people brought their short lawn chairs and sat in a shady grassy area where the line would enter. Event security is very helpful and answered all my questions happily as this was my first trip to the winery. There are also many police and bomb squad personnel around the crowd and winery for your safety. Once inside the amphitheater, you pass by the merchandise table to buy concert merch while all sizes of t-shirts and other merch are available; waiting until the end of the concert gives you limited merch to choose from as much merch has been sold by then. My seat was near the back of the reserved seats and came with a high back folding seat already in place and with a great view of the stage. Those who brought low back short lawn chairs sat in the grassy area behind the reserved seats. The venue only seats 4500 people so it is a great small place to watch a concert. Sealed outside water bottles are permitted through security and there are water filling station to refill your bottle when empty. No outside alcohol is allowed. Inside the concert area you can purchase the winery's vintages from tables that also open the bottle for you and supply plastic cups. There are food options available at the back of the concert area with stalls selling BBQ (delicious!), Mexican food (got a small bone in my beef taco), cold ice cream among a few other types of food. The sound system at the concert is very good and powerful; you can actually feel the bass booming through your chest! The concert was absolutely incredible sounding with great views of the raised stage. The slope of the amphitheater is gentle not steep. Buy the reserved seats if you can afford them unless you want to bring a small blanket and picnic basket of food with you sitting in the lawn area. Outside food is permitted through security for your culinary enjoyment. The whole venue is in full sun and can be quite hot until the sun goes down behind the trees. Because the concert area is so relatively small, this place is a great way to enjoy a concert by some big name artists every Summer. I highly recommend coming to watch a...