"Sky River somehow makes mead approachable instead of a beverage you thought Medieval nobles swilled between bites of mutton. For starters, flights are only around $10, a far departure from the ritzier tasting rooms in town. Their honey wine is light, not overly sweet, and comes in flavors like blackberry and cherry vanilla that thankfully don’t taste like pie. The meadery has a few sofas and a little gift shop, but our favorite place to drink is out on the front slope, where you can sit on Adirondack chairs and take in the rolling views of Woodinville's countryside, as well as the steep driveway your group trudged up earlier. " - aimee rizzo