Mikala Johnson, Wed., September 4
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 Cheryl (206) 979-6489
~10:30 a.m. pickup at the Inn at Blackberry Creek, 1126 Pleasant St., Walla Walla
11:00 a.m. — Echolands Estate / Tasting $20pp, waived with purchase of 2 bottles
3281 Mill Creek Rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362
After a lot of excitement and buzz, the flagship Echolands Estate winery is finally open and serving expectant tasters from across the US. Echolands was created in 2018 by Brad Bergman and Doug Frost, two Kansas City residents who believed in the Walla Walla Valley AVA’s ability to offer a distinct style of wine, one that would benefit from aging. In 2023, Echolands was proud to announce Brian Rudin as head winemaker. The group crafts responsibly produced wines that reflect the potential for elegant and balanced wines from this singular place.
1:00 p.m. — Runway Sparkling Wine Market
455 B Street — Fee: Flights and bites
The grab and go market and sparkling wine bar has helped fill two serious needs in the Walla Walla Valley: food options in the airport district and flights of local sparkling. Featuring wines produced in Washington state in multiple different styles, there’s something for everyone. This is a great stop for lunch, snacks and gifts.
3:00 p.m. — Patterson Cellars
1564 Whiteley Rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Tastings $25 per person, waived with bottle purchse
Winemaker and Owner, John Patterson, creates approachable, new world style wines. Drawn to the science behind the art of winemaking, he considers the craft to be, “a unique puzzle as you approach harvest to produce wines that are consistent from year to year,” which speaks to the quality and caliber of the wines from Patterson Cellars.
At the end of the tasting at Woodward Canyon, we can drop you at one of our favorite tasting rooms downtown, or deliver you back to your lodgings.