Tammy Fricke, party of 8, August 25
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
Your driver and guide for the day is Jamey. (208) 867-8261
~10:30 a.m. pickup at 341 E Alder.
11:00 a.m. — Woodward Canyon
11920 W. Highway 12, Lowden, WA — Tasting Fee: $15 pp (waived with purchase)
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.
1:00 p.m. — Valdemar Estates
3808 Rolling Hills Lane — Fee: $15 flights, lunch menu available
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.
2:45 p.m. — Saviah Cellars
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.
At the end of the tasting at Saviah, we can drop you at one of our favorite tasting rooms downtown, or deliver you back to your lodgings.