Denise and Julie, party of four: the perfect weekend
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.
Thursday, Sep. 19
Your driver and guide for weekend is Jamey: (208) 867-8261
~12:45 p.m. pickup at your AirBnB, Palouse and Whitman (send me the address when you can, please!)
1 p.m. — Seven Hills 212 N 3rd Street
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.
You have a winemaker lunch scheduled here!
3:00 p.m. — Dossier
8 W Main St. Tastings $35/guest, waived with 2-bottle purchase per guest or wine club signup
Dossier offers a modern approach to luxury wine inspired by the region’s great potential, incredible local talent, and distinctive terroir. We are pursuing world-class wines, built from the ground up, with the intent of creating an elevated and engaging experience for sophisticated wine enthusiasts.
5:00 p.m. — Passatempo
215 W Main Street
Pasta to perfection in this Italian eatery. Beautiful concept, craft cocktails and expert hospitality. Kale caesar, housemade focaccia and a classic bolognese.
You have a reservation for four under Jamey Lamar
Friday, Sep. 20
7:20 a.m. — Pickup at your lodgings for a 7:45am Tee time at Wine Valley
Jenna will get your group to the golf course!
12:00 p.m.- Woodward Canyon
11920 W. Highway 12, Lowden, WA
Located adjacent to the historic Lowden School House 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.
Your group has a library tasting scheduled here — Jamey will put your order in at Graze and bring it with for lunch.
2:30 p.m. - Rasa
38 E Main St #103. Choose between foundations flights ($30) or reserve flight ($40)
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.
After Rasa, Jamey can get your group back to your lodging for some downtime before dinner.
7:00 p.m. — Brasserie Four, reserved in the dining room under Jamey Lamar
A friendly French bistro with amazing steak frites, salad and house-made pâtés. Select a bottle from their well-stocked wine wall with amazing French and local selections. Very affordable wines by the glass and not to be missed is the classic crepe suzette.
Saturday, Sep. 21 -Oregon and the Cave!
11:00 a.m. — Mongata Estate Winery
81768 S Fork Walla Walla River Rd, Milton-Freewater, OR 97862
There is something special about this place, maybe it is the beauty.
Maybe a whisper of the ancients who traveled and followed the moon along the Walla Walla River. Maybe it is the unique and complex terroir which winemakers seek and that will dance with the vines. It is always an experience to remember.
You have a picnic with wine specially arranged for your group here, and the winemakers will be on hand.
54211 Turbyne Rd., Milton-Freewater, OR. Fee: $20 pp, waived with purchase
Husband and wife winemakers Toby Turlay and Chris Dukelow combined their families fifteen years ago, and have embarked on a winemaking adventure in the Walla Walla Valley fearlessly. They bring a warmth and joie de vivre to their enterprise, and the wines — all based on Rocks-district Chateauneuf varietals — show this spirit beautifully.
Figgins: The Caves—An Exclusive Tour & Tasting
While Leonetti Cellar is no longer open to the public, FIGGINS, the second generation of the family estate is offering an all-new tasting experience at caves facility up Mill Creek Road.
Explore the first wine barrel caves in the State of Washington that have been hewn into a hillside of 15-million-year-old basalt. See first-hand the spectacular geology and soils of the Walla Walla Valley, at a maximum depth of 35 feet below the Petit Verdot vines of the picturesque Figgins Estate Vineyard. Your exclusive 2-hour reservation is led by the Estate’s Hospitality Manager and paints a portrait of the premium winegrowing and winemaking Chris Figgins and his family have pursued in the Pacific Northwest for over 40 years.
Dinner this evening is hosted at your lodgings, with winemaker pairings from Valdemar Estates.
This two-and-a-half-day package has been curated with great care in collaboration with Denise. Your price includes an industry discount and the most gracious and joyful service in the Valley.
We are so excited about your fun-filled weekend!