Walla Walla Itinerary - 6/3+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, Part I — Saturday, June 3
10:30 a.m. pickup at The Courtyard by Marriot
11:00 a.m. — Rôtie Cellars
84328 Trumbull Ln, Milton-Freewater — Fee $30 pp. (waived with $50 purchase)
If you want funky, terroir-driven, Rhone-style wines, you need look no further. Set in the Rocks District AVA estate vineyards, you can enjoy a great variety of distinctive wines all with the same earthy character. In summers they show off their selection of crisp Rhone whites from Washington state, as well as their flagship red blends. Tasting room attendants here are some of the most knowledgeable in the AVA.
12:45 p.m. - Valdemar Estates
3808 Rolling Hills Lane — Tasting Fee: Flights vary
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.
Curated Walla Walla tour offers $25pp credit towards your lunch at Valdemar.
2:30 p.m. — Brook & Bull Cellars
1249 Lyday Ln Fee: $20 pp (60 mins; waived with bottle purchase)
Owned and operated by one of the U.S. top 40 under 40 winemakers, Ashley Trout produces big and bold red wines. She is known for Malbec, as she spent several harvests making wine in Argentina. She also makes phenomenal Rose and Chardonnay from one of the best vineyard sites in Washington State. Ashley also supports VITAL wines, which raises money for free health care services to the underserved.
3:45 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.
6 p.m. - Canvasback Winemaker Dinner
The Perfect Day, Part II—Sunday, June 4
10:30 a.m. pickup at The Courtyard by Marriot
11:00 a.m. — Pepper Bridge Winery
1704 JB George Rd ($20 per person)
Elegant wines sourced from estate vineyards. Run by my dear friend, JF Pellet. 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 the middle of the wine making process at the winery surrounded by the estate vineyards.
12:30 p.m. — Alton Wines
$30 per person, waived with 2 bottle purchase
Nestled in the Pepper Bridge Vineyard, Alton delivers on a scenic and charming wine experience. The small team is committed to quality wines with an elevated flair.
If we have time we can squeeze in Amavi Cellars.
Lunch from Graze-A Place to Eat will be served courtesy of Curated Walla Walla.
3:00 p.m. - Abeja Winery
2014 Mill Creek Rd. — Tasting Fee - $40 pp, waived with purchase
A lovingly restored family farm is home to the winery and Inn at Abeja. Perched on a ridge near the Mill Creek River, large Poplar, Willow and Oak trees give way to immaculately cared-for grounds. Sample a line-up of stunning whites and reds from the estate.
After Abeja we can jet over to the airport district to check out a brewery, a wine incubator or to hit up the Runway Sparkling wine bar.
Return to Airbnb ~ 5:30 p.m.