To all the oenophiles out there!
Wish to visit Walla Walla? Then top your to-do list with the Walla Walla wineries! Do you ever ask how the bottled wine you bought is processed? Do you ever care to look at how it reaches your glass?
Well, each winery allows you to learn their unique winemaking processes and history, taste their craft in their own wineries’ tasting rooms, and enjoy! Yes! It is an art which is as old as 80 centuries!
What can make your trip to this scenic place more enjoyable than a glass of wine, stunning vineyards, and intriguing interactions!
Top 8 Walla Walla Wineries
1. Walla Walla, Washington
Located in the southeast of Washington, the United States’ capital, it is the largest city in Walla Walla county. It is a sparsely populated, beautiful place. Walla Walla takes its name after the native American Indian Walla Walla tribes who lived near the river (present-day Washington and Oregon), which was named after them.
Walla Walla meant many waters. As the name suggests, the county is genuinely drained by many rivers and creeks, namely the Snake River, Touchet River, Columbia River, etc., among other blessings of nature.
It has a moderately hot and dry climate during summer and winter is mild. This ideal climate and apt soil work together to create a perfect environment for top-notch vineyards.
Washington, the hometown of Walla Walla Valley, is the second-best wine producer in the US! The industry has been flourishing since the 60s, and its exports enrich over 40 countries. Walla Walla Valley, one of America’s best wine regions, is a significant contributor to the exports of wine from Washington.
So let’s take a look at the great ones among the 120 spirited Walla Walla wineries, most offering a fun trip through parts of the splendid 2,800 acres of wine paradise.
But before that, let’s get you ready
What to Wear to a Winery: 7 Stunning Outfit Tips For You!
2. Westside Walla Walla Wineries
2a. L’ecole no.41: Walla Walla Wineries
This is one of the best and famous wineries with breathtaking vineyards in Walla Walla. This artisan winery is founded by the Ferguson family. Established in 1983, it is the third winery in Walla Walla and is located on the French town school. Now you get it? L’ecole in French means school!
The grapes that are used to make wine are imported from their mineral-rich Estate vineyards of Ferguson and Seven Hills. Ferguson is famous at an international level (and the soils are enriched by ancient volcanic lava.) Seven Hills are their oldest and famous vineyards of Walla Walla.
They also obtain fresh grapes from Pepper bridge vineyard and Columbia valley vineyards through contract. Their wine has different exotic flavors particular to each of the vineyards and is considered to be of the finest quality.
Some of their unique red wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and white wines include Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Semillon, and Rosé. The uniqueness is stamped on everything, including their handcrafted bottles.
A membership to their wine club is a boon since it offers excellent wine at varied prices and discounts. It also holds several events and picnics to explore the whole gamut of wine while having fun.
They have been the recipient of many national and internationally acclaimed awards and are also recognized by Decanter. They have also been featured in the wine and spirits magazine several times under the top 100 wineries category.
Click here for more details regarding the wine and dishes served at l’ecole No.41
2b. Woodward Canyon: Walla Walla Wineries
Loved l’ecole No.41? Would you like to try some more?
Well, walk to the nearby Woodward Canyon, a1981 startup by the fifth-generation Rick Small and his wife Darcey, descendants of dedicated farmers. It is the second winery in the valley. The winery treasures an estate vineyard of 42 acres.
It is famous for its intense Chardonnays, Merlots, Cabernet Sauvignon. They are amazingly balanced and have excellent aromas. Their artist series is the highlight. It was started in 1992, producing one of the tastiest Cabernet Sauvignon in Washington. Washington holds this ancient vintage in high respect. Their label artists keep changing annually.
The tasting room, a farmhouse in the
past times, is small and has a vast outdoor space to taste wines. A large winery, it offers lawns to relax and picnic.
Related: Read in detail about red wine here.
3.Southside Walla Walla Wineries:
Most of the Walla Walla vineyards are concentrated in the Southside. This means the wineries here open windows to magnificent views of their vineyards.
3a. Northstar Winery: Walla Walla Wineries
Northern Winery is the best choice for Merlot.
One of the oldest wineries in Walla Walla offers pleasant scenes of its extensive vineyard to give you a wine vibe. It has excellent spacious patios with live music.
The tasting room is classy and offers outdoor tastings provided you book in advance. You also have delicious lunch and snacks selectively selected to go along with your wine!
They also provide you with a fun blending experience! You get to help yourself with your favorite wine combination from a tasty choice of red and white wines. You even choose your wine label. Assess your creativity level!
The man behind Northstar’s wine is David Merf Merfeld, who became the much-admired winemaker of Northstar in 2005. The ambience is great, and you would have loads of information to take home with you.
3b. Saviah Cellars: Walla Walla Wineries
Cradled at the center of Walla Walla valley’s Washington wine country, traditionally processed wine of the pretty Saviah Cellars is worth giving a sip. Richard Funk and his wife own it. Their family heritage is reflected throughout the winemaking process.
The winery is given their family name, but their special wines are also baptized with names related to their roots. Some of them are Star Meadows White wine, Big Sky Cuvée, and one Vallée Red Wine and favorite The Jack.
Opened in 2000, Saviah has been in the business for 20 long years. Saviah Cellars produce distinct varieties of wines such as Cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petit Verdot, syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Viognier.
They mingle the unique flavors and characteristics of Saviah Estate Vineyard, Mcclellan Vineyard, Funk Estate Vineyard, Dugger Creek Vineyard, Anna Marie Vineyard, and partnered Vineyards.
A refreshing patio and well-decorated tasting room create an apt atmosphere for wine tasting. You also get a magnificent view of the blue mountains. It provides a homely experience with friendly and knowledgeable servers.
It has won several titles too and has been rapidly growing over the years. Today it is one of the major producers of wine in the Walla Walla valley.
Related: How Drinking Wine Could Be Beneficial
4. Downtown Walla Walla Wineries:
4a. Canoe Ridge Winery: Walla Walla Wineries
What sets this winery stand apart from the rest is its distinctive building structure and quirky snug atmosphere.
This 26-year-old winery, owned by a corporation, has an exciting history. It gets its name from a ridge along the Columbia River, which looked like a canoe. The river flowed through the land eaten up volcanic lava.
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay top the canoe ridge list. The grapes arrive here from their picturesque sustainable vineyard in the horse heaven hills AVA, which spreads over 559 acres of low fertile soil.
The service and wine make it worth a visit.
4b. Cayuse Wineries: Walla Walla Wineries
Cayuse wineries was a special birth. You can find it in its name. Cayuse in French means stones (les cailloux). Yes, it was set up in a rocky area in 1977.
Christoper Baron from France liked the seemingly unproductive huge stony farmland. This may sound crazy at first, but he had faith in the land’s worth.
Today it takes a proud position among the other Walla Walla Wineries. How? The stones pressurize the vines, making them produce richer grapes. The grapes are grown through biodynamic farming methods. This is the first such undertaking in Walla Walla.
Syrah is the hero of our winery here.
Moreover, this efficient winery depends on none other than its Syrah sprouted from its own Cayuse vineyards. Thus, Syrah, which possesses an authentic and unique taste, has turned many heads.
Related: Everything You Need To Know About Syrah/Shiraz Wine
Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Tempranillo, Viognier are some varieties raised in the five Cayuse vineyards. Their signature specials from these fruits include Rose, Flying Pig (blend), Camaspelo, Widowmaker, Impulsivo, Syrah ‘en Cerise’, and God Only Knows.
The reds also have an excellent spiriting capacity. After all, it is stubborn minds that prove right their crazy ideas, keeping at bay all those who say “it’s impossible.
Related: To know more about biodynamic farming methods and other vineyards employing this technique, click here.
4c. Seven Hills Winery: Walla Walla Wineries
Seven Hills Winery is the downtown Walla Walla’s historic wine producer. It replaced a 1904 mill in 1988. Seven Hills estate is deeply rooted in the Walla Walla valley as it is one among the earliest estates established in the valley, realizing its worth.
They brought in Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon for the first time in Walla Walla. So, it is not a secret that it has ripened friendships with other wine-growing peers. The interior is blessed with a delightful and spacious tasting room.
You can ponder over the local photographs and paintings put up on the wall while enjoying great wines served at great prices. Each of the reds and the whites capture the peculiarity of their sources in them. A tour of the winery and its environs is productive.
Related: 10 Most Expensive Wines
5. Eastside Walla Walla winery
5a. Walla Walla Vintners: Walla Walla Wineries
This is the 8th member of the Walla Walla wineries established in 1995. This favorite is nestled at the Mill Creek valley, protected by the scenic blue mountains.
Gordy Venneri and Myles Anderson, people responsible for this beautiful establishment, handed it over to the Haladay family. The family, great wine enthusiasts, left their previous life behind to start a new chapter in this gem of a place. Walla Walla Vintage continues to flourish in their hands.
Quirky and perky, the winery is elegant and interactive. The team is easy going, and the winery is on friendly terms with the surrounding hills. You can find a place anywhere on the grass outside or sit comfortably on the patio.
It has one of the finest quality wines of the regions, which has a bold and dry taste. They are served at moderate prices. The red wines here are much acclaimed. Merlot is the leader of the house. They offer excellent food too, perfect for the wines.
Related: Guide to wine and food pairing
If you haven’t been to wineries yet, Walla Walla wineries would be the best start if you took a Washington trip. If you have, these will give you a different feel among others in this scenic countryside.
What more is needed to make your day stamped in your memory as a happy memoir! What do you think about wineries in general? Please share your opinions with us in the comment section below.
Last Updated on by Nitisha Upadhye
