Walla Walla Itinerary - 5/10
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.
Tuesday, May 10
10: 00 a.m. pick-up from the Finch by Curated Walla Walla
10:15 a.m. - Private wine tasting and tour at the Squire Broel Gallery
Enjoy a line-up of four stunning Walla Walla wines while you receive a guided tour of the downtown loft of local artist, Squire Broel. Broel's work is in numerous private and public collections throughout the US and he has participated in solo and group exhibitions throughout the Pacific Northwest, Canada, Austria, Vietnam, China and Indonesia.
While his work is exhibited internationally it is featured prominently in Downtown Walla Walla, as well as campuses and parks throughout the community. Broel dives deep into his subject matter, in materials as diverse as canvas, wood, bronze, fabric and glass.
Curated Walla Walla will provide a Walla Walla wine tasting seminar. The focus will be on library wines from Walla Walla and other notable vineyards. Wine tasting fee is $50 per person.
12:00 p.m. - Aluvé (5)
100 Aluve Ln. — Tasting Fee: $30 pp, waived with $100 purchase
J.J. and Kelly Menozzi have dedicated their lives to the production of estate wines. Outside their doorstep, nestled on a ridge in the foothills of Walla Walla, is the Menozzi Estate Vineyard. Featuring Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot with true to the varietal winemaking styles. The vineyard is just on the doorstep of Chris Figgins’ newest vineyard project nestled in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. This is a private tasting with the owners.
Lunch from Graze-A Place to Eat will be served courtesy of Curated Walla Walla.
1:30 p.m. - Abeja Winery (5)
2014 Mill Creek Rd. — Tasting Fee - $45 pp, waived with purchase
A lovingly restored family farm is home to the winery and Inn at Abeja. Perched on a ridge near the Mill Creek River, large Poplar, Willow and Oak trees give way to an immaculately cared-for grounds. Sample a line-up of stunning whites and reds from the estate.
3:30 p.m. - The Walls (5)
1015 W Pine Street — Tasting Fee: $35pp, waived with $75 purchase
The Walls was originally meant as a play on the Washington State Penitentiary, Walla Walla’s least talked about but perhaps most notorious landmark, and one that looms just down the street from their production facility. The Walls’ modern tasting room features a selection of premium wines from rosé to highly scored Cabernet. Ask for a flight of their second label, Pâšxa. These wines highlight the Rocks District Vineyards of the Walla Walla Valley. A small cheese and charcuterie plate will be served to pair with the wines.
5:15 p.m. - return to the Finch Hotel