Walla Walla Itinerary - 6/4
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, June 4
10:15 a.m. pickup from Bonnie Brae Street
10:30 a.m. - Grosgrain Vineyards (7)
2158 Half Acre Ln, Walla Walla — Fee $20 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!
Scenic Drive
Enjoy a scenic drive through the foothills of the Blue Mountains on the way to our next stop!
12:15 p.m. - SMAK (7)
594 Piper Ave — Tasting Fee: $20 pp, waived with $20 purchase
A delicate tribute to the apex of summer. Owner-winemaker Fiona Mak is focused on all things pink, but this is no girlish affair. Savvy sippers will love the acidity and freshness of this lineup of rosé.
She’s a recent graduate of the Walla Walla Community College Enology & Viticulture program, but not new to hospitality, with an impressive CV in some of the greats of NYC. She brings her love of food into her operation by providing pairing suggestions.
1:15 p.m. - Runway Sparkling Wine Bar (7)
455 B Street — Fee: Flights and bites
The grab and go market and sparkling wine bar has helped fill two serious needs in the Walla Walla Valley: food options in the airport district and flights of local sparkling. Featuring wines produced in Washington state in multiple different styles, there’s something for everyone. This is a great stop for lunch, snacks and gifts.
Lunch will be provided courtesy of Curated Walla Walla.
3:00 p.m. - Foundry Vineyards (7)
1111 Abadie Street — Fee: $10pp, waived with $25 purchase
Foundry Vineyards was created with the premise that art and wine are a perfect pairing. Art gallery and wine are blended together in a modern and chic space. Producing a great variety of wines included sparkling, white and red. A great experience surrounded by beautiful designs—don’t forget to take time to check out the current art exhibition and artisan gift shop.
Return to Bonnie Brae ~ 5 p.m. to relax before dinner
Additional evening transportation can be provided at $25 per trip or $40 roundtrip (with advanced notice). Uber is often, but not always available.
