Walla Walla Enchants Wine Lovers

A thriving wine region combined with a picturesque downtown, art galleries, a prestigious college, and cosmopolitan restaurants make Walla Walla, Washington a must-visit for wine lovers.

“There’s just something about Walla Walla.”

This is an assertion we would hear again and again from the locals during our 4-night stay in Washington Wine Country. We heard first-hand accounts from several people who came to visit the town years back and never left.

And, as we walked around and got to know the town, we realized: There is something about Walla Walla.

Every preconceived notion we had about the place was forgotten the minute we pulled into town.

It’s beautiful and charming. Why didn’t anyone ever tell us about this place?

An Overview

The semi-quaint main street is lined with trees and the occasional sculpture. Most importantly, about a dozen or more vineyards have set up their tasting rooms in downtown and the restaurants are delicious, as in cosmopolitan-food-snob-gourmet-good.

Drive around Walla Walla and you’ll soon come across the intellectual heart of Walla Walla, Whitman College. Giant, lush trees and well-preserved Victorian homes surround the campus.  This, without a doubt, adds to the charm and the je ne sais quoi that only a town like Walla Walla could possibly possess.

Ah, the marks of a great wine region!

The Wine

Today, Washington State has over 600 wineries and is the second largest producer of wine after California.

Main building of L'Ecole 41

Located in the southeastern corner of the state, Walla Walla has seen tremendous growth in the wine industry these past 10 years, producing some of the finest wines in the United States.

The reason for this is not only adequate soil and climate, but also the efforts of entrepreneurs who have put all their love and passion into winemaking.

Leonetti, Woodward Canyon, and L’école 41 were the pioneers, starting their wine production in the 1970s and 1980s.

Walla Walla is known for some great reds including (but not limited to) Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah. Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay make deliciously frequent appearances as well, among other white varietals.

Fine Rosé by Reininger Winery

There’s clearly something for every palate whether you’re red or white, sweet or dry. Don’t even get me started on those crisp, dry, fruity rosés that are pressed to impress.

So many wines, so little time. We promise to write about more great wineries and wines very soon. In the meantime, check out Reininger, Sinclair Estate, DaMa Wines, Foundry Vineyards (great art as well), Basel Cellars, Dusted Valley, Skylite Cellars, and L’école 41. And so many more…

The Restaurants

T. Maccarones is somewhat of an established brand in Walla Walla and they own two of the best places to eat in town.

Olive Marketplace & Café is clearly the place to go for lunch. Enjoy a fresh salad on the outdoor patio as you watch the town go by or order a boxed gourmet sandwich to enjoy with a bottle of wine on-site at your favorite vineyard.

T. Maccarones itself serves amazing Italian food with fresh, local ingredients. I wouldn’t be surprised if people drive all the way from Seattle just to eat dinner here. It’s really that scrumptious.

Or, for the “real deal” just off Main Street, visit Salumiere Cesario, Walla Walla’s Gourmet Grocery.

They feature the only walk-in cheese closet in the Pacific Northwest as well as an amazing assortment of true hand cured meats from around the US, made without added nitrites. Did we mention the best Prosciutto di Parma you’ll ever find outside of Italy?

Places to Stay

When visiting Washington Wine Country, you have two lodging choices: a Bed & Breakfast or hotel.

The Marcus Whitman Hotel is the tallest building in Walla Walla and located at the heart of downtown. You can easily walk to any of the shops or tasting rooms.

However, if you’re looking for romance or charm, the Vine & Roses Bed & Breakfast is just a short 5-minute drive from the main drag.

Not only will you enjoy your luxurious suite with a private Jacuzzi tub and a romantic fireplace, but your can rest assured that your wine has a good home in the temperature controlled cellar.

Read all about our stay at this fine B&B.

Honestly, we have mixed feelings writing about Walla Walla. On the one hand, we yearn to tell the world about this gem on the outer reaches of Washington State. But on the other hand, we like the fact that it’s somewhat of an undiscovered secret.

So shhhh… don’t tell everyone!

Do you have a favorite Walla Walla destination or secret to share? Leave a comment!