The San Juan Islands are a popular vacation destination for many reasons: stunning northwest scenery, abundant wildlife, charming bedroom communities, and a welcoming atmosphere. In addition to these attractions, there’s a handful of San Juan Island wineries to add to your itinerary for fantastic wine tastings in this picturesque setting. Wine tasting is among the top activities in the San Juan Islands, right up there with whale watching, kayaking, hiking, birdwatching, boating, biking, and kicking back.
One of our favorite San Juan Island wineries is just under a ten-minute scenic drive or about 20 minutes by bike from downtown Friday Harbor, San Juan Island Vineyard. Perhaps the most well-known choice of San Juan Island wineries, you’ll love the beautiful location with a historic white steepled church and modern remodeled schoolhouse turned wine-tasting room with outdoor seating. They produce two lesser-known varietals, Siegerrebe and Madeleine Angevine grapes, for an authentic taste of the island viticulture.
Before you start planning your wine tasting adventure, you’ll want to secure your San Juan Island lodging, and our Friday Harbor Bed and Breakfast is one of the best places to stay for any style of getaway. Our Inn collection offers the perfect space for those heading to the northwest for a romantic getaway, family vacation, friend’s trip, or solo retreat. We have cozy rooms, multi-room suites, and stand-alone cottages for a particularly private stay. For those staying in the rooms and suites, you’ll be treated to a hot breakfast delivered to your door each morning of your stay. Check our upcoming availability and book your accommodations today!
The Best San Juan Island Wineries & More
There are more than 40 exceptional Washington wineries in the Puget Sound AVA, which includes the San Juan Islands. Three of which are right here on San Juan Island, with two on the neighboring islands of Orcas and Lopez. These San Juan Island wineries offer cooler-climate varietals that pair perfectly with island cuisine, including Riesling, Siegerrebe, Madeleine Angevine, and Müller-Thurgau.
Three San Juan Island Wineries Not to Miss:
- San Juan Island Vineyard: Located in the idyllic countryside, this local winery offers award-winning estate-grown wines and lovely outdoor seating for a self-guided flight or glass. The tasting room is housed in a renovated 1895 schoolhouse surrounded by rolling green hills and a 30-acre vineyard. The winery specializes in two cool-climate varietals, Siegerrebe and Madeleine Angevine, and also partners with some eastern Washington wineries for their big blend: The Cattle Point Red. This is one of the San Juan Islands wineries you must add to your list!
- Madrone Cellars & Cider: This winery, owned by a local family, sources grapes from the islands and sustainable fruit grown in Eastern Washington. Their wines reflect the terroir they were grown in. Their tasting room in downtown Friday Harbor offers intimate seating inside and a quiet outdoor wine garden out back. They serve European-style wines, hard cider from local island apples, and beautiful meat and cheese boards with local products and accompaniments.
- Archipelago Wines: You can schedule a private wine tasting at this local production facility in Friday Harbor. However, we often feature these wines at Coho Restaurant on the wine list. The sparkling wines are indeed a treat, as they are one-of-a-kind due to low intervention methods and are light and bright on the palate.
Washington Wineries on Neighboring Islands:
- Lopez Island Vineyards: Hop on the inter-island ferry and check out our neighboring Lopez Island. As the oldest vineyard and winery in the San Juan Islands, they specialize in various wines, including Madeleine Angevine and Siegerrebe. Like other local Washington wineries, they also feature delicious red wines from grapes grown in Eastern Washington. While the tasting room remains closed at this facility, you can find wine tasting at the Lopez Island Farmers Market from May to September.
- Orcas Island Winery: Take a ferry to Orcas Island and visit a modern farmhouse tasting room and wine garden located at the base of Turtleback Mountain—the surroundings are absolutely beautiful here. The tasting room features up to ten locally produced wines, including reds, whites, rosé, and pétillant naturel.
- The Orcas Project: If you want to try some fantastic wines from a collection of Washington winemakers, the Orcas Project is just the ticket. Owner and sommelier, Cole Sisson, brings together the best of the best. He also has unique art on each vintage from a local island artist!
- Doe Bay Wine Company: This bottle shop and tasting room is an excellent stop on Orcas for wine tasting. They offer a selection of local Washington wines and international finds for your cellar.
Elegant Dining at one of the Best Friday Harbor Restaurants
After your adventure exploring the nearby San Juan Island wineries, you’ll be ready to eat! As a guest at our Friday Harbor Bed and Breakfast, you’ll be just a few blocks from one of the best restaurants on San Juan Island. Coho Restaurant is classic farm-to-table dining, with a chef-driven, seasonal menu featuring seafood, proteins, and produce from the island’s farms. Our award-winning wine list always features selections from the nearby San Juan Island wineries, and our knowledgeable staff members are always more than happy to chat about these stunning bottles.
Save room for dessert; everything at Coho Restaurant is house-made and elegantly plated. After dinner, you’ll only be a quick walk back to your cozy guest room or spacious suite. If you’re feeling like a romantic evening, perhaps open a bottle from one of the San Juan Island wineries to enjoy in your room by the fire or in the hot tub (choice rooms.) In the morning, we’ll deliver a hot breakfast to your door—one less thing to have to plan for during your stay! Our morning meals are prepared with the same mentality as the chefs at a Coho Restaurant.
With our Friday Harbor Bed and Breakfast as your home base, you’ll have everything you need for a restful and relaxing stay. Feel free to take advantage of our concierge service; we are happy to set up wine tastings at the local San Juan Island wineries, help with transportation concerns, and reserve local tours and excursions. Head over to our availability calendar and get your reservation on the books today!
