Bente Weitekamp, party of 6, October 16
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 Michael (509) 520-3964.
~10:00 a.m. pickup at 408 E. Rose St.
10:30 a.m. — Echolands Estate Winery
3281 Mill Creek Rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Tasting $20pp, waived with purchase of 2 bottles
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.
Your visit will start with a VIP tour of the winery, followed by a tasting and lunch at 11.
1:00 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.
3:00 p.m. — Ducleaux Cellars
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.
At the end of the tasting at Saviah, we will drop you back at your lodgings.