Winery fans toast top choices for tours

We asked readers what Northwest wineries they most like to visit.

• "You have to check out Woodinville Wine Cellars (17721 132nd Ave. N.E., Woodinville; www.woodinvillewine.com). I've never had so much fun tasting wine. The winery is totally off the beaten path with a beautiful stream and a grassy field with picnic tables. The people were so vibrant and enthusiastic about the wine it really made me get excited about it, too. ... It was such a beautiful day, we took one tasting outside and the tasting room staff didn't hesitate to come out and pour for us!" — Cindy Huggins, Edmonds

• "Tsillan Cellars Winery (Chelan; www.tsillancellars.com) for the location; Novelty Hill Winery (14710 Woodinville-Redmond Road N.E., Woodinville, www.noveltyhillwines.com) for the wines, people and building; Lake Chelan Winery (Chelan; www.lakechelanwinery.com) for the wine and incredible barbecue; King Estate Winery (Eugene, Ore.; www.kingestate.com) for the incredible building and great wines." — Roderick Simmons, Seattle

• "Lost Mountain Winery (Sequim; www.lostmountain.com) is a neat little place; nice people, great wines, interesting history, small porch setting for lunch. Family operation originally from California." — David Caley, Redmond

• "I've been a wine lover and collector for over 30 years. When in the Yakima Valley, I never miss Thurston Wolfe Winery (Prosser; www.thurstonwolfe.com). ... Delicious wines and a warm welcome in intimate surroundings. For me, this is as good as it gets!" — Jeffrey Berger, Bremerton

• "Three Rivers Winery (Walla Walla; www.threeriverswinery.com) has the best tasting room with a fabulous gift store. And for your added pleasure, you can grab a golf club and ball and play a round of golf ... We vacationed in Washington in 2006 and 2007. I could do it again next year, too!" — Bobbie Dusenberry, Safety Harbor, Fla.

• "My favorite place is Columbia Winery (14030 N.E. 145th St., Woodinville; www.columbiawinery.com). Besides the amazing wine to sip, the staff is friendly and laid back. They love their jobs and make guests feel welcome. The tours are incredible, allowing guests to walk amidst barrels and get right up to the bottling line." — Jennifer Hope, Snohomish

• "Favorites are winetasting at Barnard Griffin Winery (Richland; www.barnardgriffin.com), Isenhower Cellars (Walla Walla; www.isenhowercellars.com) and Bunnell Family Cellar (Prosser; www.riveraerie.com)." — Jim White, Richland

• "My favorite place to take out of town guests is Barnard Griffin Winery. The staff is friendly, tasting is still free (except for reserve wines), and the wine is outstanding." — Rita Sevcik, Kennewick

• "A recent trip to the Tri-Cities wineries was delightful. Amazing growth and sophistication to the area. Bookwalter Winery (Richland; www.bookwalterwines.com) or Targaris Winery (Richland; www.tagariswines.com) bistros are very romantic. But outdoor rooms, lovely garden and live jazz at Bookwalter makes it our favorite. Exceptional tapas-style menu with artisan cheeses and other locally produced goodies." — Mechele Sarieddine, Bellevue

• "Bonair Winery (Zillah, www.bonairwine.com) features unoaked chardonnay as well as many other upscale vintages. Attractive château architecture, a duck pond, and tables for picnics enhance the winetasting experience. The grounds and château are accessible for walkers and wheelchairs." — Wanda Nadal, Fircrest

• "Recently we went to Red Mountain and visited the new Kiona Vineyards Winery building (Benton City; www.kionawine.com). Kiona is one of the first wineries on Red Mountain and they do a great job with their estate grapes. The new building is worth the trip across the mountains." — David Koenig, Everett

• "Wedge Mountain Winery (Peshastin; www.wedgemountainwinery.com). We discovered this award-winning winery four years ago and [its wines have] become my flagship presentation for fine foods. ... The lovely setting is a venue for small family and business gatherings. Fun, friendly owners greet you for a tasting you'll not soon forget." — Susan Penning, Seattle

• "Here in the Lake Chelan Valley we have many beautiful wineries with more opening every day! But our new favorite is the Tunnel Hill Winery (Chelan; www.tunnelhillwinery.com). The granite stones used to build the winery came from the Knapps Hill Tunnel just above Lake Chelan on Hwy 97A. Unpretentious and charming — we love it!" — Jim and Karen Phelps, Chelan

• "My husband and I love doing wine tours. In Woodinville, our favorite winery is Page Cellars (19495 144th Ave N.E., Suite B235, Woodinville; www.pagecellars.com) They have an amazing cabernet, "Preface." In Eastern Washington, we always stop at Château Faire Le Pont (Wenatchee; www.fairelepont.net). It is a renovated train station with vineyards out front. The wine and atmosphere are great and the owners are very friendly." — Megan Droz, Seattle