Walla Walla Itinerary - 8/22
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 Evening Tasting Suggestions
Seven Hills Winery
212 N 3rd Street - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Just behind the Marcus Whitman Hotel is the Whitehouse-Crawford Building. On the National Historic Register, the former planing mill has been home to Seven Hills Winery since its renovation in 2000. Sourcing from the oldest blocks of the Seven Hills Vineyard, the selection of Bordeaux wines offered are consistently smooth and elegant. Reservations recommended.
Mark Ryan Winery
26 E Main Street - 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Offering a fabulous selection of bold premium red wines from Washington State. Next door to Starbucks with a small outside seating area. Tasting room manager Carolyn is very knowledgeable about the local wine industry. Reservations recommended, not required.
Kontos Cellars
10 N 2nd Ave - 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Winemaker-owner Chris Kontos has found farming to be foundational to their production. With deep roots and family ties to the Walla Walla Valley you can learn a lot about the history of the valley and the rise of the local wine industry through the family history. Reservations encouraged, not required.
Sunday, August 22, 2021
The Perfect Day
9:40 a.m. pick-up by Curated Walla Walla at the Haven
10:00 a.m. Canvasback (4)
1825 J.B. George Rd. — Fee: $20pp (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. You will be enjoying a comparative Walla Walla wine tasting.
11:30 a.m. - Doubleback (4)
3853 Powerline Rd. Fee: $50 pp (90 mins.; waived with purchase)
Doubleback is a lifelong dream of retired NFL player, Drew Bledsoe. He has “doubled back” to his hometown of Walla Walla, WA. He’s producing premium Cabernet Sauvignon in a gravity-flow production facility with a stellar team of wine and hospitality professionals. The tasting fee includes a tour of the facility, flight of current releases and a barrel sample paired with charcuterie plate.
1:00 p.m. - Garrison Creek Cellars (4)
122 Hood Road, — Fee: $50pp (waived with purchase)
A family-owned winery located in the heart of the 220-acres Les Collines Vineyard. An historic barn was renovated into a gravity-flow winery, complete with cellar. From the site in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, estate wines are bottle-aged for an extra year beyond the typical annual releases of the Walla Walla wineries. Nothing typical about Garrison Creek Cellars, you will be transported by the amazing views, smooth reds and friendly hospitality. The family estate is currently sold out of the current release wines. You will be enjoying selections from their library selection.
3:00 p.m. - Rasa Vineyards (4)
4122 Powerline Rd. Fee: $20 pp (90 mins.; waived with 2 bottle purchase)
Rasa Vineyards is the realization of passion, vision and commitment to create a world-class winery focused on producing ultra-premium, terroir specific wines from Eastern Washington and Northeastern Oregon. Bordeaux and Rhone varietals are available, including library offerings.
Return to the Haven ~ 5 p.m.