Whidbey Island Tour

Looking for something fun to do on Whidbey Island? A tasting room tour may be just the adventure you’re searching for! Last weekend, Explore Washington State had the opportunity to host a group of giveaway winners on a tour of Whidbey Island for the afternoon in collaboration with Kraken Tours, owned by Nicholas Konopik. The group started out the day by taking the ferry over to Whidbey Island from Mukilteo, where we were greeted by Nick, the Kraken Tours pirate, welcoming us aboard the bright green bus. With a welcome like that, we knew this excursion would be anything but dull.





Spoiled Dog Winery

Our first stop was Spoiled Dog Winery, where we were treated to a private tasting on their patio. Their property, surrounded by vines and plenty of grassy areas to sit and sip wine, was absolutely stunning. It’s the ideal spot to bring a dog for the afternoon and just sit back and relax.

Wine Pairing

The interior of the tasting room was filled to the brim with barrels aging wine, giving a glimpse into the wine making process. We had the opportunity to try two whites and two reds, a great sampling of their wines. One of the highlights here was definitely their Pinot Noir, which was unlike any other Pinot I’ve tasted. It was paired with a robust dark chocolate for the perfect combo.





Whidbey Island Distillery Next we made our way to Whidbey Island Distillery, down into their tasting room fondly named The Bunker. We were lucky enough to get a quick tour of the small room where the stills are found, but even with such a small production space, the Distillery produces a number of different options. The group got to try their Bunker Rye Whiskey, along with four different fruit liqueurs using fruits harvested around the Puget Sound, all of which were ridiculously delicious and perfect for adding to a cocktail or sipping neat. We ended our tasting with a cocktail featuring the liqueur of our choice and lemonade.

Penn Cove Taproom Our last tasting stop was Penn Cove Taproom in Coupeville. The brewery isn’t on site just yet as they’re working on moving brewery operations there, but we were able to sample one beer from Penn Cove Brewing, along with beers from all over the Pacific Northwest and all the way to Quebec. It was a cozy taproom with a great looking food menu, and the staff was incredibly welcoming.





Captain Whidbey Our last stop was the stunning Captain Whidbey inn which has been recently acquired by new owners and redone. We enjoyed a charcuterie spread presented by Chef Eric in the chef’s garden, along with delicious cocktails and a tour of the grounds. The rooms are incredibly cozy, with stunning views, and everyone in the group couldn’t wait to book a stay there. With lawn games and a cozy fire pit, there are plenty of places on the property to relax and unwind, but the real highlight was the Captain Whidbey dock with views as far as the eye can see.







Kraken Tours

The group had such a fun time exploring Whidbey Island thanks to Kraken Tours, and we can’t wait to share more with you soon . Stay tuned for more detailed articles on a few of these fantastic stops! In the meantime, if you’re planning a trip to Whidbey Island and a tasting tour sounds like the perfect afternoon for you, add this trip to your list.