Long Shadows Vintners

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
LOCATION : Hollywood District / West Valley
HOURS (as of May 2025): Friday–Saturday 12–6pm, Sunday–Thursday 12–5pm
TASTING FEE (as of May 2025): $30 (mixed flight), $35 (reds only)

The name Long Shadows might sound like the start of a ghost story — and in some ways, it is. The winery was founded by Allen Shoup, former CEO of Chateau Ste. Michelle, and intended as a kind of “dream team” label: seven world-class winemakers, each creating a single, signature wine using Washington fruit. It’s a concept that could easily have turned into a gimmick. Instead, it helped define the next chapter of Washington wine.

These days, Long Shadows operates a spacious, chandelier-lit tasting room in the old Red Hook Brewery complex in the Hollywood District, where guests can choose between a mixed flight or a reds-only lineup. My advice? If you’re even slightly Cabernet-inclined, don’t skip the reds.

Washington’s AVAs are all over the map here — quite literally. The winery sources from all over the Columbia Valley, depending on what each winemaker is after. This makes for a tasting experience that feels more like a tour of the state than a single estate — and a great orientation for visitors who want a broad view of what Washington is capable of.

On my last visit, the mixed flight started with the 2023 Poet’s Leap Riesling (aromatic and bright, with a touch of sweetness that doesn’t overwhelm), followed by the 2021 Dance Chardonnay (a creamy, lightly tropical number with restrained oak). Things got serious with the 2021 Saggi (a Sangiovese blend with velvety cherry and a savory edge), then moved to the Pirouette (a refined, earthy Bordeaux-style red blend), and wrapped with the 2021 Feather — a showstopping 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that lands with grace, structure, and zero pretense. If you like a wine that struts without shouting, Feather might just be your bird.

There’s no weak link in the lineup, but for me, the Feather Cabernet was the standout. Made from grapes sourced within Wahluke Slope, White Bluffs, and Horse Heaven Hills, this signature offering was expertly designed by Napa-based winemaker Randy Dunn, and drives home the true potential of Washington wine; approachable, bold, enticing and — above all — delicious.

Bottle prices range from $20–$85 for standard formats, with magnums available at higher tiers. If you’re looking to take the plunge, Long Shadows’ Cellar Key Club offers access to limited releases and preferred pricing. Small bites (charcuterie, flatbreads, etc.) are available on-site for your snacking pleasure between sips.

While kids and pets aren’t the focus here, the tasting room team was gracious, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming — the tasting room staff brought warmth and story to every pour. If your group includes true lovers of Washington wine — or someone ready to be converted — Long Shadows is a must. This is Washington at its most polished: vineyard-driven, serious without being stiff, and willing to cast a long shadow indeed.

Salut, and enjoy Woodinville!