Walla Walla Itinerary - 7/30
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.
Friday, July 30
10:30 a.m. pickup from the Haven
11:00 a.m. - Brook & Bull Cellars (5)
1249 Lyday Ln Fee: $10 pp (60 mins; waived with one bottle)
Owned and operated by one of the U.S. top 40 under 40 winemakers, Ashley Trout produces big and bold red wines. She is known for Malbec, as she spent several harvests making wine in Argentina. She also makes phenomenal Rose and Chardonnay from one of the best vineyard sites in Washington State. Ashley also supports VITAL wines, which raises money for free health care services to the underserved.
12:30 p.m. Reininger Winery (5)
5858 Old Highway 12 — Fee: $15 or $25 pp depending on choice of flight.
Winemaker Chuck Reininger has built two wineries—Helix and Reininger. A family affair with four generations of farming in the Palouse. From wheat to wine, Reininger Winery is a celebration of Walla Walla Valley fruit sourced from the oldest blocks of the Seven Hills Vineyard. They are particularly known for their old-vine Walla Walla Carménère. Helix is a second label which represents a fun collection of Columbia Valley wines. Affordable and approachable and 100% quality.
Gourmet picnic lunch served courtesy of Curated Walla Walla.
2:00 p.m. Itä Winery (5)
600 Piper Ave — Fee: $10 pp (waived with purchase)
Itä is just one of just a handful of women-owned wineries in Walla Walla. Kelsey is focused on classic Walla Walla varietals grown in the cooler foothills of the Valley. One site is the Les Collines Vineyard (around Garrison Creek Cellars), as well as a Pinot Noir site just south of the Oregon border.
3:30 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
Saturday, July 31
Tasting Recommendations
Downtown and near downtown. Mostly walk-in friendly with reservations recommended where noted.
Seven Hills Winery (10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
212 N 3rd Ave. — Tasting fee: $25 pp, waived with $40 purchase
Just behind the Marcus Whitman Hotel is the Whitehouse-Crawford Building. On the National Historic Register, the former planning mill has been home to Seven Hills Winery since it’s renovation in 2000. Sourcing from the oldest blocks of the Seven Hills Vineyard, the selection of Bourdeaux wines offered are consistently smooth and elegant. Reservations recommended.
Truth Teller (open after 1 p.m. until ~ 8 p.m.)
47 E Main Street — Tasting fee: $15 pp, waived with purchase
Meet the owners and winemakers at this approachable downtown tasting room. Fantastic wines at all price points. Some of the best value wines in town coming from a small producer.
Result of a Crush (11 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
23 S Spokane St — Fee: $15pp, waived with purchase
Top producer, Reynvaan Family Vineyards, has a second label that just opened a downtown tasting room. Earthy and funky at an affordable price. This is one of my absolute favorites that is 100% Walla Walla Valley fruit that is estate grown.
Brasserie 4 (11-9) for elegant fare on a shady Main Street patio. Reservations encouraged for a classy and surprisingly affordable lunch.
Yamas Greek Cuisine is fantastic for, lunch, takeout and dinner. If it’s bearable on the patio, there will be live music playing in earshot after 5 p.m.
Mi Pueblito offers authentic Mexican food. It’s not in the downtown area, but it’s not far from the Haven. (Dine-in and Drive-Thru—so easy).
Drinks or dinner at Public House 124
124 E. Main Street
Walk-in option for cocktails or dinner at the locals’ favorite spot! Open 3pm until later, offering a fantastic local food program. Burgers, flatbreads, and salads with local ingredients and warm hospitality. Outside seating available. Food and cocktails are available for take-out as well!!!