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# Ste. Michelle Closes Northstar Tasting Room, Winery
- URL: https://bevnews.net/ste-michelle-closes-northstar-tasting-room-winery/
- Published: 2026-06-25T03:24:28.000Z
- Updated: 2026-06-25T03:24:28.000Z
- Author: Joel Whitaker

**Ste. Michelle Wine Estates** is closing its Northstar tasting room, which has been open for 25 years, and production facility in Walla Walla, Wash.

Production of Northstar brand wines will be relocated in a dedicated reserve cellar at SMWE's Columbia Crest facility in Paterson, Wash. “The premium quality and style of Northstar will remain consistent, with continued sourcing from top vineyards across the Columbia Valley,” SMWE said in a statement to **Sean P. Sullivan's *Northwest Wine Report***. “The brand remains an important part of our leading Pacific Northwest portfolio.”

Sullivan noted that WineBusiness reported earlier this year in its annual tasting room survey that winery visitation in the Pacific Northwest was down 13% last year. Visitation to Napa Valley was down 18%. . . . . Both declines a direct result of the economic squeeze in which the majority of Americans find themselves. . . . our opinion.