When asking yourself about something to do near me in Seattle with a group of friends or family, consider
Cadence Winery
Why Cadence Winery is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
Cadence Winery, located in the Seattle suburb of South Park, offers an intimate and elegant setting for wine lovers to meet up with friends and enjoy world-class Bordeaux-style blends. Founded by winemaker Ben Smith and his wife, Gaye McNutt, Cadence crafts wines that express the distinct character of Washington’s Red Mountain vineyards, including their own estate, Cara Mia Vineyard. Despite its small size—with annual production of around 2,000 cases—the winery delivers powerful yet refined wines known for their structure, elegance, and capacity to age gracefully. Visitors to the tasting room can expect a warm welcome, such as that from Sue, a notable staff member praised for her pleasant hospitality. The tasting experience highlights the winery’s dedication to quality through wines that develop richness and complexity with time, making it an ideal place for friends seeking both a relaxed atmosphere and a sophisticated wine experience. Cadence’s focus on terroir and elegant textures combined with its boutique scale provides a unique and personal environment perfect for memorable gatherings.
Here's what people think of Cadence Winery
As of recent, Cadence Winery holds a 5-star rating based on 6 reviews.
Reviews from visitors and wine enthusiasts consistently praise Cadence Winery for the exceptional quality of its wines and the welcoming atmosphere of its tasting room. Positive feedback commonly highlights the meticulous craftsmanship of the Bordeaux blends, especially their elegance, tannin quality, and balanced complexity, with particular accolades for the 2020 ‘Bel Canto’ and the 2021 ‘Coda’ wines. Visitors have also commended the friendly and knowledgeable staff, including Sue, for creating an enjoyable and personalized tasting experience. On the other hand, while no significant negative reviews dominate, some may note the boutique scale and limited production might mean availability can be somewhat exclusive, which could be viewed as limiting for some consumers seeking broader access. Overall, the consistent 5.0 rating across several reviews underscores Cadence Winery’s reputation as a stellar destination for serious wine enthusiasts and casual visitors alike, who appreciate both outstanding wines and an inviting ambiance.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Keith vassallo
Share in the knowledge and fellowship of award-winning winemakers Ben Smith and Gaye McNutt then share a bottle of their amazing Cabernets and red blends. One of Seattle's hidden gems.
John Hoover
Got a special tour, was great, great wine release
Hazel Singer
Fabulous wines, great winemakers/owners.
trisha benda
If you haven't tried Cadence, you're missing out!
Michael Parker
How to reach Cadence Winery
None
Website: None
Why Cadence Winery may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at Cadence Winery with your friends?
Gathering with friends or family at Cadence Winery in Seattle offers a uniquely satisfying experience for those who appreciate fine wine crafted with deep passion and elegance. With a perfect rating of 5.0 from multiple glowing reviews, Cadence stands out as an exceptional venue to host a meetup where the focus is on quality, camaraderie, and immersive wine tasting. The winery specializes in Bordeaux-style blends, produced from estate-grown grapes in the renowned Red Mountain AVA, promising a rich exploration of flavor and aroma that invites meaningful conversation and shared enjoyment. The intimate scale of the winery, run by winemakers Ben Smith and Gaye McNutt, allows guests to feel a personal connection to the craft, often with opportunities to meet the creators themselves and learn about their dedication to terroir-driven wines. Beyond wine, Cadence provides a warm, relaxed ambiance perfect for groups seeking a meaningful outing to savour premium wines alongside good company. This combination of exquisite wine, intimate setting, and knowledgeable hosts makes Cadence Winery a top pick for rallying friends together for an elegant yet approachable tasting experience.
What activities can you enjoy at Cadence Winery?
Cadence Winery, although not open every weekend, offers several memorable activities suited for a group meetup. Primarily, the centerpiece is its wine tasting sessions, where guests can sample an exquisite range of carefully crafted Bordeaux blends such as the renowned ‘Coda’ and the ‘Bel Canto.’ Tastings are often hosted by the winemakers themselves or knowledgeable staff, providing insightful stories behind each wine’s development and seasonal vintage nuances. The wines, characterized by rich dark fruits, elegant tannins, and capacity for long-term aging, are perfect for those who appreciate complex, refined wines that improve with time. Visitors can engage in educational discussions on blending techniques, vineyard management, and ideal decanting approaches that help showcase the wines’ full potential. Additionally, the winery’s setting allows for relaxed socializing, where groups can take their time enjoying their wine flights, making it an ideal place for connecting over shared interests in wine culture. While Cadence is appointment-only for visits, this exclusivity adds to the personalized feel and ensures groups receive detailed attention and a curated experience.
Why is Cadence Winery perfect for a group meetup?
Cadence Winery’s boutique scale and personal approach create an inviting atmosphere exceptionally suited for groups seeking a memorable event. Unlike larger, commercial wineries, Cadence offers a sense of exclusivity and intimacy which encourages deeper engagement with both the wines and the winemakers. The team’s dedication to producing wines that balance power and elegance means there is a wide range of tasting notes and styles to discuss and enjoy collectively, stimulating rich conversation among friends. The winery’s location in a Seattle suburb is convenient for urban dwellers looking for a nearby escape without sacrificing the authenticity of a vineyard-grown wine experience. For groups interested in discovering new age-worthy wines, Cadence’s offerings from their estate’s Cara Mia Vineyard bring a taste of Red Mountain’s renowned terroir right to the tasting room. Moreover, Cadence’s commitment to small-batch quality over mass production ensures every sip encourages appreciation and thoughtful sharing, making it a perfect backdrop for bonding over a shared passion or a casual celebration with loved ones.
What makes Cadence Winery’s wines special?
What truly sets Cadence Winery apart is its focus on crafting premium Bordeaux-style blends that marry elegance with structure and have significant aging potential. The founders, Ben Smith and Gaye McNutt, source grapes primarily from their estate Cara Mia Vineyard in Red Mountain, one of Washington State’s most prestigious AVAs known for its powerful yet balanced fruit. By utilizing careful vineyard management and spending only about a year in French oak barrels, the winery preserves vibrant fruit characteristics like red and blue berries, while also adding nuanced oak complexity. These wines exhibit deep, dark fruit flavors with polished tannins and acidity that allow them to age gracefully over decades. Fans of Cadence often highlight how the wines develop additional layers of complexity when cellared, rewarding those who purchase for both immediate enjoyment and long-term collection. Whether opening a bottle with friends for a joyful occasion or exploring the subtle evolution of a well-aged blend, Cadence’s portfolio offers versatility and sophistication that impress even seasoned wine enthusiasts.
How accessible is Cadence Winery for visitors?
Cadence Winery is located in Seattle’s South Park neighborhood, making it readily accessible to residents and visitors in the greater Seattle area. Being a boutique winery, visits are typically by appointment only, which ensures personalized service and a relaxed environment tailored to the needs of each group. These scheduled tastings allow guests to plan their experience according to Cadence’s opening schedule, which is not every weekend but certainly worth anticipating. The winery’s modest production size, about 2,000 to 2,400 cases annually, makes visits intimate and focused on quality over quantity. Because Cadence is family-run, visitors can expect a warm welcome and detailed information about each wine, growing season, and winemaking philosophy. For groups coming from afar, the winery is within convenient distance of Seattle’s urban center, allowing for easy day trips or combined outings with other Seattle attractions, enhancing the overall appeal as a meetup destination.
How does Cadence Winery enhance group social experiences?
The social dynamic at Cadence Winery is enriched by its distinctive offerings and the atmosphere cultivated by the owners and staff. The intimate tasting setup encourages dialogue and sharing of impressions, which is ideal for groups wanting to celebrate friendship or family occasions in a setting that fosters connection and discovery. As guests sample wines that are not mass-produced but lovingly crafted in small batches, there is a sense of exclusivity and shared appreciation that naturally bonds a group. The opportunity to interact directly with the winemakers or informed staff offers educational value and storytelling that enhances the tasting, making the experience memorable. Additionally, since Cadence wines benefit from aeration and often a long decanting period, groups can leisurely enjoy their time together without rushing, creating an unhurried, festive mood perfect for socializing. This facilitates meaningful conversations about wine, food pairing, and personal tastes, making it a top choice for a relaxed yet refined group outing.
What should a group know before visiting Cadence Winery?
Groups planning a visit to Cadence Winery should be aware that it operates primarily by appointment and is not open every weekend. Planning ahead by checking availability on Cadence’s website or contacting the winery directly helps ensure a smooth booking process and a tailored experience. Because of the winery’s boutique nature and limited production, tastings can feel exclusive but intimate, so large groups might need to coordinate with the staff for accommodations. The winery emphasizes red Bordeaux-style blends with a focus on wines that improve with age, so visitors might want to prepare for a tasting that includes complex wines requiring aeration or decanting to reveal their full character. Bringing along some light food or arranging catering can enhance the experience, as a well-matched meal or small bites complement the richness of the wines. Finally, visitors should carve out ample time to fully enjoy the wines and the welcoming atmosphere, as the Cadence experience is as much about savoring each moment with friends as it is about appreciating remarkable wines.
What makes Cadence Winery stand out in Seattle’s wine scene?
Within Seattle’s diverse and growing wine scene, Cadence Winery stands out due to its dedication to small-batch, estate-driven Bordeaux blends that focus on both elegance and aging potential. Unlike many urban tasting rooms that feature a wide variety of brands or mass market wines, Cadence offers a deeply curated portfolio with roots in the prestigious Red Mountain AVA. The hands-on approach by winemakers Ben Smith and Gaye McNutt, who also own and manage their own vineyard, ensures consistency and quality rare in city-located wineries. Their commitment to producing wines that balance power with silkiness creates offerings that attract discerning wine lovers who seek refinement rather than just casual drinking. Moreover, the winery’s intimate setting, excellent customer service, and strong reputation for producing wines that cellar beautifully position Cadence as a must-visit for groups wanting a distinctive, informative, and delicious wine tasting experience in Seattle.
How can a group maximize their experience at Cadence Winery?
To get the most out of a group visit to Cadence Winery, plan ahead by reserving a tasting appointment, ideally selecting a day when the full range of current releases is available. Arriving with a spirit of curiosity about Bordeaux blends and winemaking techniques will enrich the experience, especially when engaging with the knowledgeable staff or winemakers. Since Cadence wines benefit from decanting, scheduling time to savor each wine slowly allows the group to appreciate the development of aromas and texture fully. Bringing a small group notebook or sharing tasting notes can turn the visit into a fun educational event. Pairing the wines with artisan cheeses, charcuterie, or a casual meal either on-site if allowed or nearby enhances the flavors and keeps the palate refreshed. Finally, consider purchasing several bottles to bring home or ship to friends, creating lasting memories beyond the visit and enabling future sharing of the Cadence experience. This thoughtful approach ensures the best combination of learning, socializing, and savoring during a memorable meetup at Cadence Winery.