The Grand Tasting 2025 Recap: Best Wines, Food Pairings, and First-Time Tips
FOMO Won. Wine Weekend Secured.
Lake Tahoe was calling my name for a ski trip, but the Grand Tasting by Taste Washington 2025 had other plans for me. Ads for the event were EVERYWHERE on my social media, and the FOMO got to me. Could I really miss out on the biggest food and wine festival in the state? Clearly not. So, in true Bev fashion, I made a last-minute decision… ski trip cancelled, and wine weekend secured 🍷. And honestly? BEST. DECISION. EVER.
As a wine enthusiast preparing for my WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 2, this wasn’t just about tasting wine. It was an opportunity to expand my palate, meet other wine lovers, and maybe even connect with a future mentor in the industry.
A Quick Look at Taste Washington’s Grand Tasting
Before diving into my experience, here’s a quick look at what makes Taste Washington such a big deal.
Taste Washington is the largest food and wine festival in the Pacific Northwest, bringing together hundreds of wineries, top restaurants, and food lovers for a weekend of tastings, pairings, and random encounters. This year marked its 25th anniversary, making it an even more special time to attend. It’s a dream for any wine enthusiast, and this year, I finally got to see what all the hype was about.
Stepping Into Wine Utopia
Fast forward to Saturday, the big event day for me. I stepped into the event space, grabbed my Taste Washington wine glass, and it hit me: Infinite rows of wineries, huge Taste Washington logos, and people with huge smiles on their faces. Everywhere I turned, people posed at photo ops, goodie bags on one shoulder, wine glasses halfway full on the other hand. Here’s a sneak peek of myself posing too:
My game plan was simple: try wine from as many wineries as possible. The reality? After about five tastings, I quickly realized that was a little too ambitious. Let’s just say I’m glad there were spittoons at every wine table to help me get rid of the excess wine that would make me tappy (tipsy & happy).
A Taste of the Best Wines & Bites
There were over 200 wineries and more than 70 food vendors, so I didn’t get to try everything (even though I definitely wanted to!). But here are some of the bites and sips that stood out from the ones I did get to enjoy:
Akadi (PDX): Perfectly ripe alloco (fried plantains) with a yummy dipping sauce.
Dichotomy: I had never tried a Nebbiolo (red wine) before, and I loved the unique shape of some of their bottles.
Grosgrain: their Ribolla Gialla was probably my favorite sip of the day. I paired it with a salmon bite from Caviarman Gourmet—an absolute match made in heaven.
The Capital Grille: Their wagyu slider was melt-in-your-mouth good. Did I go for round 2? Oui :).
La Mar: The best ceviche that instantly brought me back to Lima, Peru. I plan to go to La Mar in Bellevue next month and order their ceviche not once, not twice, but at least THRICE. Yes, it’s that good.
Los Hernández Tamales: A warm bite of tamale with their signature green sauce.
Seattle Samosa: Delicious Butter Chicken samosa with unique flavors served with a smile by the lovely owner.
We Rise: Their Moxy Mulle label caught my eye, and the sweet wine pleasantly surprised me.
Pintxo: Bacon-wrapped dates paired beautifully with a bold Syrah pour from Valdemar Estate.
Time & Direction : I went to Walla Walla back in December and met with Steve, the owner, so it was fun to reconnect in Seattle.
More food & wineries I enjoyed:
Maryhill Winery
Revelry
14 Hats
Evergreen
Smak Wine
WSU Blended Learning
Water from Wine
Fogo de chao
What I Didn’t Get to Try (But Totally Wish I Had):
Fox Island Oyster Co.
Gold Coast Ghal Kitchen
Chateau Ste. Michelle
Smack
Dossier
L’Ecole No 4
Post-Tasting Activity Break
After eating and drinking for over three hours, I needed a little break. That’s when I found the Stitch B*tch corner: a cozy, creative space that invited guests to sit down and try stitching. I ended up stitching for about a half hour, chatting with Jen, who was running the booth. She shared some great tips and tricks for starting simple stitch projects and even recommended a few places around Seattle where I could learn more or take a class.
Stitching ended up being unexpectedly calming, and it helped me recharge before going back for my last round of tastings and wrapping up my Taste Washington experience.
Taste Washington: My Favorites + Honest Feedback
Taste Washington 2025’s social media ads truly delivered. They went all in on the marketing, and honestly, attending it for the first time was everything I expected, and more.
What I Loved
The venue was vibrant, and I appreciated how well-organized the booths were. Lines moved quickly, and there were plenty of water stations to keep palates fresh between tastings.
I also enjoyed the event magazine they provided at the entrance. It listed all the wineries and food vendors, which made it easy to scan the options and plan out what to prioritize based on my preferences. There was a good mix of well-known wineries and hidden gems I had never heard of, which made it really fun to explore.
What Could Be Even Better
That said, there are a few things I would’ve liked to see done differently. Keep in mind, I had a general admission ticket, so some of this might already be included in the VIP experience.
I would have loved to see wine pairings suggestions for each food vendor, and vice versa. A little guidance could have made the tasting experience more intentional and fun.
Lastly, a few food vendors, especially the popular ones like the oyster stand and the Caviar Man, had long lines or only served samples at specific times. Having more booths, split lines, or signage showing when samples would be available would have helped guests better plan their time. But again, this is a General admission ticket holder complaint.
All in all, Taste Washington 2025 was a fantastic experience, and I’m already thinking about how I’ll do it better next year. Here's how I’d plan it out next time, and why I think this event is totally worth adding to your wine lover’s bucket list.
Final Thoughts: Would I Go Again?
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.
Next year, I won’t just attend—I’ll splurge on VIP tickets for both Saturday and Sunday to see if the extra perks are worth it. This year, I wish I had more time to explore additional wineries, so a two-day pass will be non-negotiable. I’m also planning to check out the pre-events and after-parties that happen during the week leading up to the Grand Tasting.
This year, I had the chance to volunteer with the SE Production team at one of the signature events, Pacific Standard at the Admiral’s House, and it was such a great experience. It made me realize just how much more Taste Washington has to offer beyond the main tasting event. Now that I know the full lineup, I’m officially blocking off my calendar for March 2026.
If you’re thinking about attending in 2026, here’s my advice:
1. Come hungry, come early, and pace yourself.
2. Use the spittoons!!! It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
3. Be open to new wines! Some of my favorites were from wineries I had never heard of before.
