Spinnaker Chocolate Factory Tour — Seattle, Washington

Discover the Spinnaker Chocolate Factory Tour

Experience the art of bean-to-bar chocolate making at Spinnaker Chocolate, a celebrated craft chocolate producer in Seattle. Visitors can take a behind-the-scenes factory tour that explores how cacao beans are transformed into handcrafted chocolate — from sorting and roasting to conching and molding. The experience combines educational insights, tasting opportunities, and engaging storytelling about chocolate craftsmanship.

Why it’s special:
Spinnaker Chocolate is known for its small-batch, ethically sourced chocolate that celebrates flavor and sustainability. The factory tour gives visitors a closer look at the chocolate-making process, lets them connect with passionate chocolatiers, and includes plenty of opportunities to sample products and learn about bean origins and flavor profiles. onlyinyourstate.com+1

History / Story of Spinnaker Chocolate

Founded by craft-focused chocolatiers in Seattle, Spinnaker Chocolate quickly became a local favorite for its thoughtful, careful approach to bean-to-bar production. The company later expanded into a larger factory and café space in Wallingford, allowing room for public tours, tastings, and chocolate-making classes alongside its retail and café offerings. This evolution reflects a commitment to transparency, education, and community engagement in chocolate craft. PR Newswire

What You’ll See & Do on the Chocolate Factory Tour

• Observe cacao beans as they’re prepared for roasting

• Watch as beans are sorted, roasted, and ground into chocolate

• See conching, tempering, and molding processes

• Learn how flavor, origin, and technique shape the final bars

• Enjoy tastings of finished chocolates and limited releases

• Discover Spinnaker’s ethical sourcing and sustainability practices

Hands-On Elements: Guided chocolate tastings, interactive explanations of production steps, Q&A with chocolate makers.
Photo/Video Policy: Photography is encouraged in public and tasting areas; follow staff instructions in production-adjacent areas. onlyinyourstate.com

Pricing of the Spinnaker Chocolate Factory Tour

Price: Free — general tours and tastings are typically offered at no cost, though some special experiences and classes may be priced separately (e.g., premium tastings, chocolate-making workshops). Axios

Practical Info for Visiting Spinnaker Chocolate

Duration: 30–60 minutes (varies by tour or experience)
Format: Self-guided viewing and tasting or scheduled guided tour
Working Hours:

• Daily: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM (factory store & café hours; tour times vary) Spinnaker Chocolate

Audience: Families, chocolate lovers, foodies, travelers
Accessibility: Indoor facility; contact ahead for specific needs
Safety & Restrictions: Tours in production areas follow staff guidance; closed-toe shoes recommended for any extended factory viewing
Languages: English
Group & School Visits: Group tours and private classes available; reservation recommended
What to Bring/Wear: Comfortable shoes, camera for non-production areas
Facilities: Factory café, sampling stations, tasting area, retail store
Closures: Holiday hours may vary

Nearby

• Fremont & Wallingford Neighborhoods — Cafés, shops, and murals

• Gas Works Park — Scenic views over Lake Union

• University District — Nearby retail and restaurants

FAQs About Visiting Spinnaker Chocolate

Do I need a reservation?
Tours are sometimes available walk-in, but reservations are recommended for guided experiences, classes, or group visits.

Will I taste chocolate?
Yes — tours typically include samples of Spinnaker’s artisan chocolate.

Is there a café?
Yes — the expanded space includes a café offering hot chocolate, mochas, and drinks alongside chocolate products.

Can children take the tour?
Yes — chocolate tours are family-friendly, though children should be supervised near production areas.

Can I buy chocolate on-site?
Absolutely — a full retail selection of bars, truffles, and seasonal chocolates is available.