Walla Walla Itinerary - Lindsey Jones, party of 2, 3/18
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.
The Perfect Day
~10:30 a.m. pickup at Courtyard Marriott . Your driver for the day is the inestimable, the one and only, the man in the hat, Michael Jaramillo. You’re going to have a lot of fun with Michael.
11:00 a.m. — Woodward Canyon
11920 W. Highway 12, Lowden, WA — Tasting Fee: $20 pp (waived with purchase)
Located adjacent to the historic Lowden School House (home of L’Ecole 41) is the second winery to be established in Walla Walla. Woodward Canyon is a family business with great wines and an easygoing attitude. First and second generation work side-by-side to produce stunning Chardonnay and Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon.
12:45 p.m. — Reininger
5858 Old Highway 12 — Fee: (waived because I’m a club member)
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 Carmenere. Helix is a second label which represents a fun collection of Columbia Valley wines. Affordable and approachable and 100% quality.
Lunch boxes from Foodscapes will be provides by Curated Walla Walla.
2:45 p.m. — Saviah
1979 J.B. George Rd. — Fee: $20pp (refundable with $40 minimum bottle purchase or Wine Club signup.)
Few wineries in Walla Walla have the range of wines offered by the crew at Saviah Cellars. From stunningly earthy Syrah from the estate Funk Estate to light and fruity Barbera, this is a crowd pleaser.
4:30 p.m. — back to Courtyard Marriott