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Adams Bench Winery
WOODINVILLE
Driving up to Adams Bench Winery, one is immediately struck by the sense it
is unlike any other. The pastoral setting about 20 miles northeast of downtown
Seattle looks like the pages of a beloved collection of fairytales. Crisp white
fences cut through gently rolling hills, majestic elms soar overhead, and a
weathervane gently moves with the breeze atop the winery's main building.
Here, with views west toward the Olympic Mountains, Owner-Winemakers
Tim and Erica Blue live their passion for wine. Tim, a Seattle trial lawyer and
Erica, OB/GYN and Medical Director, developed a deep appreciation for
wine and wine travel after many trips to Northern California, Oregon, Eastern
Washington, and later France, Italy, and beyond. That blossomed into a
second career on the 3.27-acre property where they live on Hollywood Hill
in Woodinville, as well as the establishment of Adams Bench Winery and its
first harvest in 2005.
In the winery's first public event two years later, the barrel tastings led to a
pre-release sold-out 2005 vintage. It was clear the Blues knew how to make
exceptional wine, and the critics quickly agreed. In October 2009, Robert
Parker's Wine Advocate hailed Adams Bench Winery a "Rising Star" on the
Washington wine scene, and rated their 2006 wines 93, 91. Since then, Adams
Bench wines have been consistently rated 90-plus points in Wine Advocate,
FACING PAGE: Flowers in bloom in the gardens and beautiful
landscaping greets visitors as they approach the winery.
TOP LEFT: A relaxed pastural setting makes for a relaxing
day tasting wine at Adams Bench Winery.
TOP RIGHT: Erica Blue inspects the crop in the vineyard
during harvest.
Photographs courtesy of Adams Bench Winery