Chateau Ste. Michelle has done a real pioneering work in and for Washington State. Founded in 1934, and oldest winery in the region successfully combines traditional winemaking with innovative New World techniques. Chateau Ste. Michelle also one of the few wineries that strictly separate procedures for the vinification of white and red wines is added. While the reds in the River Ridge Winery, prepares the south of the Columbia Valley are vinified to the white wines in Woodinville, 15 miles northeast of Seattle. With a size of about 35 hectares (87 acres) of this winery is home to over 250,000 visitors annually who come on tours, wine tastings, dinners and open air concerts. As a "flagship Winery" Woodinville is also the headquarters of the company.