Walla Walla Itinerary - 1/30
Walla Walla was once the Washington Territory's capital stretching from the Olympic Peninsula and Puget sound, over the Cascade Mountains to the dry Columbia Plateau and rolling Palouse Hills. Walla Walla has been home to tribes, missionaries, fur traders, the Hudson's Bay Company, Idaho gold rushers, U.S. cavalry, and briefly by Lewis & Clark and the Corps of Discovery.
Walla Walla (named by local tribes as the land of many waters) is nestled into a valley in the Blue Mountain's foothills. It features rich fertile soils from years of glacial flooding, which suits many fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Italian immigrants planted vineyards four generations ago, and one of those descendants started the first winery. The first Walla Walla wine was released in 1977 by Leonetti Cellar.
Saturday, January 30th - Southside Vineyard District
10: 30 a.m. pick-up from the Haven
11 a.m. Canvasback (5)
1825 J.B. George Rd. — Fee: $15pp (waived with 2 bottle purchase)
Napa Valley put American Cabernet on the map and Canvasback is trying to do the same for the Red Mountain AVA Cabernet. The hot appellation produces full-bodied wines, expertly handled by Washington native and winemaker, Brian Rudin.
Depart at 12:35
12:45 p.m. Rotie Cellars (5)
84328 Trumbull Ln, Milton-Freewater — Fee $10 pp.
If you want funky, terroir-driven, Rhone-style wines, you need look no further. Set in the Rocks Distric AVA vineyards, you can enjoy a great variety of distinctive wines all with the same earthy character.
NOTE: This will not be a tasting, but a quick stop to have one glass of unique wine in one of the most distinctive wine producing areas in Walla Walla (and arguably the United States). Those who would like to do the tasting may choose to do so if they agree to taste very quickly. The tasting fee is $30 per person, waived with a $50 purchase.
Depart at 1:20
1:30 p.m. Amavi Cellars (5)
3796 Peppers Bridge Rd. Fee: $15 pp (60-90 mins, $5 with purchase)
Perched on a ridge with sweeping views of the vineyards of Walla Walla, Amavi features consistent and sustainable estate wines. They are one of the few producers who deal with exclusively Walla Walla Valley wines. Add a 3-vintage vertical of Syrah to your tasting (Adds 30 minutes).
Depart at 2:55
Curated picnic lunch from our local farms and artisans:
D’Olivo ~ Dixie Acres Farm
Hidden Valley Bakery ~ Monteillet Fromagerie
TMACS Epicurean Kitchen
Walla Walla Bread Company
3:00 p.m. Grosgrain Vineyards (5)
2158 Half Acre Ln, Walla Walla — Fee $15 pp. (waived with purchase)
Grosgrain Vineyards is one of the new kids on the block and boy are they fresh. They offer a diverse array of wine varietals including sparkling, rose, white and red. They do a range of small-batch wines that sell out very quickly—especially their Pet-Nat! From their tastefully appointed facility look out over the rows of Nebbiolo, Aglianico, Grenache and Carignan. Can you tell one of the owners is a designer? Yes!
Return to the Haven
