Walla Walla Itinerary: Saturday, December 31
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.
1:15 p.m. - pickup from The Cropp Mansion. Your driver and guide for the day is Jamey. He can be reached at (208) 867-8261.
1:30 p.m. - Pepper Bridge Winery
1704 JB George Rd - Tasting Fee: $20, waived with purchase
Elegant wines sourced from estate vineyards. Run by my dear friend, JF Pellet he is the master of Walla Walla Merlot. Precise and true to the varietal, the team has produced stunning wines for more than two decades. Offering truly elevated experiences of wine in Walla Walla.
You will be seated right in view of the estate vineyards. If you have a chance to purchase older vintages, I would jump at the opportunity. Wines from the late 90’s are still showing beautifully.
3:30 p.m. - Yellowhawk Resort and Winery
2901 Old Milton Hwy — Wine flights $15-$20 per person
This lavish estate is the Southside’s newest Resort property, and Walla Walla’s only winery to focus exclusively on bubbles. Lunch and bubbles on the scenic patio here is an unforgettable, iconic wine country experience.
5:15 p.m. - Valdemar Estates
3808 Rolling Hills Lane — Fee: $15 flights
One of the best views of the Blue Mountains is on the balcony of Valdemar Estates. Relax and enjoy a flight of wines from Walla Walla or Spain. As the first internationally owned winery in Washington State, Valdemar Estates continues the family legacy of fine wine making. Bodegas Valdemar is owned by a 5th generation winemaking family from Oyón in Northern Spain. The Walla Walla winery features traditional Spanish tapas and flights by the glass. Valdemar Estates has the wow factor that one looks for in wine country.
Back to The Cropp Mansion by 6:45 p.m.