If you haven’t yet visited Walla Walla, Washington, then you’re missing out! Walla Walla is a charming, unpretentious wine destination in the southeastern part of Washington, about 4 hours from Seattle and a stone’s throw from the Oregon border (the Walla Walla AVA actually spills over into Oregon). Although it may seem like a quaint and quiet town, there’s no mistaking that Walla Walla is a burgeoning wine destination with great restaurants and awesome wineries producing award-winning wines.
A lot has changed since Walla Walla’s first winery was established in the late 1970s, as evident by the sheer number of wineries in the area now (there are over 100), which produce everything from Cabernet and Merlot to Sangiovese and Barbera. But with so many options, where to start? Just follow my guide to Stay, Eat and Drink your way through Walla Walla!
Where to Stay
The Marcus Whitman, a historic hotel built in 1928, is the most well-known and nicest of the places to stay downtown. The old world interior evokes a sense of stepping back in time, and afternoon cookies and a complimentary breakfast add to its appeal. Just a few blocks away is the Courtyard by Marriott, which is clean, modern and won’t break the bank. If you’d prefer more peace and quiet outside of town, check out The Inn at Abeja, a beautiful inn located on a 32 acre property. It’s luxe without being over the top, with guest suites that are as inviting as they are unique. The gourmet breakfasts are definitely a highlight, in addition to the wine, which they make on-site.
Read about my experience at The Inn at Abeja here.
Brand new, but outside of town is the Eritage Resort, where guest rooms feature private patios overlooking the (man-made) lake, offering views of the Blue Mountains. Soon, a new boutique hotel, The Finch, will be opening its doors in downtown Walla Walla. Here, 80 rooms will highlight artwork from Pacific Northwest artists.
Where to Eat
As small as downtown is, there are actually plenty of great options for a delicious meal — casual or more upscale.
For Breakfast
One of my go-tos in town is Bacon & Eggs, a popular spot for locally sourced and seriously delicious Mexican-influenced breakfast items. The spicy chorizo eggs are perfect, but don’t miss the breakfast cocktails, too! If you’re looking for a more mellow place to sip an espresso and nosh on coffee cake, check out Olive Cafe & Marketplace. Or head to The Maple Counter Café for comfort classics, like fluffy pancakes or biscuits and gravy.
For Lunch
When I go to Walla Walla, I usually just grab a sandwich from Graze to take wine tasting. Their hefty sandwiches are made fresh and they cure their own meat. I’m a fan of the Pulled Pork Torta, but I hear the Sexy Time sandwich is a must. That said, my new favorite is Andre’s Kitchen, which is located in a gas station. From Gyro sandwiches to Short Rib Tacos, Middle Eastern-spiced chicken to Seattle-style hot dogs, you can’t go wrong with anything from the eclectic menu. If you’d prefer to sit down and enjoy a nice meal, head to Brasserie Four for salad niςoise and French onion soup in this comfortable French style bistro.
For Dinner
If you don’t visit Brasserie Four for lunch, it’s certainly worth going for dinner and trying the steak frites and housemade pâté. Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen has an interesting and delicious selection of Mediterranean-inspired food, from paella to house-made pastas. I love to start with the perfectly spicy patatas bravas. There’s also the newish Passatempo which has an inviting ambiance with a bustling bar and cozy booths perfect for noshing on their housemade Italian fare. For fine dining, check out Whitehouse Crawford, which is set in a renovated old wood mill. From the dining room, you can look into the Barrel Room of Seven Hills Winery next door or sit at the chef’s counter to watch the chefs in action. For something more casual, check out the lively Public House 124 for slightly elevated pub food — think truffle fries, burgers and fried chicken.
Where to Taste
Walla Walla is divided up into a few main areas, so it’s easiest to stick to one general area for wine tasting. Downtown is chock full of tasting rooms which makes it easy to walk and sample wines, do some shopping, then try some more wine. Definitely stop into Rotie Cellars for wonderful Rhône style varietals (psst – they’re opening up a larger tasting room in the coming months). Mark Ryan has a variety of red blends to taste in his popular tasting room, and Kontos Cellars, owned by two brothers who hail from Walla Walla, is a great spot for nuanced reds. One of my favorites is Gramercy Cellars, located just a few minutes from downtown. The wines are fantastic, and the ambiance is pretty cool, too. Nearby is Foundry Vineyards, a must-visit if you like art (they have a full-fledged art gallery). Their small-lot wines, including their limited Pét-Nat offerings, are made with minimal intervention.
Read more about my visit to Gramercy Cellars here.
If you are willing to drive, head East where there’s a cluster of wineries, such as Dunham and Buty, located in an old WWII Army air base near the airport. Further east down Mill Creek Road is a more rural area where beautiful wineries, such as áMaurice and Walla Walla Vintners, are located.
Driving South 15 minutes from town is where many larger wineries are located, near or across the Oregon border. A few popular places include Saviah Cellars (for their crisp Chardonnay and popular Syrahs), Balboa Winery (for great red blends in a dog friendly winery), Sleight of Hand (for sought-after wines in a cool tasting room) and Pepper Bridge (don’t miss their high-end Merlot).
You can read more about my experiences at Balboa Winery or Sleight of Hand here – both are great wineries to visit.
Just off Hwy 12 heading West out of town are a few more wineries, including one of Walla Walla’s founding wineries, L’Ecole. It’s located in an old schoolhouse originally built in 1915, and offers several great wines, including a refreshing Chenin Blanc perfect for summer. Nearby, Reininger Winery‘s tasting room is bright and open, where you can taste their selections of Chardonnay and Carmenère. Read more about Reininger here.
So there you have it, the Ultimate Guide to Eating and Drinking in Walla Walla. Cheers!
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