It’s nearly time for the annual TASTE Washington wine celebration showcasing the best of Washington State’s wines. From March 23–26, almost 300 wineries, more than 70 restaurants and a roster of top chefs will come together to mark the festival’s 20th anniversary. The festivities begin with the much-anticipated VIP Red & White Party, where Pacific Northwest ingredients are matched with wines in The New Vintage’s Rosé Lounge.
Popular seminars at the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle are led by prominent vintners, Master Sommeliers and respected wine experts. Attendees can choose from tastings and interactive sessions such as Hell and High Water: How Geologic Forces and Catastrophes Shaped Washington Wine; Breaking Barriers: What’s New and Hot in the World of Washington Wine; and Up Close with Karen MacNeil: What Makes Great Washington Wine Great?
Featured festival highlights include a two-day Grand Tasting where celebrity chefs prepare signature dishes on the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Chef’s Stage, plus guided excursions to Pike Place Market led by Savor Seattle’s professional guides. On the Farm tours run throughout the Seattle region and visit local shellfish farms in Puget Sound, fruit orchards and artisan cheese shops in the foothills of Mount Rainier. Each tour pairs a chef with a local farmer and a Washington wine producer, offering firsthand insight into regional ingredients and the wines that complement them.
Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or a culinary explorer, TASTE Washington provides a broad, thoughtfully curated program that highlights Washington’s diverse growing regions, culinary talent and sustainable producers. The mix of seminars, tastings, market walks and farm visits creates opportunities to learn from industry leaders, sample a wide range of wines, and experience the stories behind the grapes and dishes. Expect approachable education sessions alongside high-level technical seminars, making the festival appealing to both casual attendees and seasoned professionals.
Beyond the scheduled events, the festival atmosphere encourages discovery: smaller producer booths at the Grand Tasting offer chances to meet winemakers directly; interactive seminars let guests ask questions and taste side-by-side examples; and chef demonstrations showcase contemporary uses of local seafood, produce and dairy. The collaboration between chefs, farmers and winemakers on the On the Farm tours reinforces the connection between terroir and table, giving participants practical context for pairing choices.
Attendees planning their visit will find value in prioritizing a mix of large-scale events like the Grand Tasting and intimate experiences such as guided market tours or farm visits. Booking seminars in advance is recommended, as sessions led by renowned experts and Master Sommeliers often fill quickly. Comfortable footwear is a practical choice for market walks and farm tours, while a notepad can help capture tasting notes and pairing ideas for future reference.
TASTE Washington’s 20th anniversary promises an engaging, educational and delicious program that celebrates the region’s wine industry and culinary partners. With a lineup that spans seminars, celebrity chef showcases, market explorations and hands-on farm experiences, the festival highlights the depth and diversity of Washington’s food and wine scene while offering memorable experiences for visitors at every level of interest.