Walla Walla Valley AVA Winery Guide

Walla Walla wineries have been producing some of the Pacific Northwest's best big, bold red wines for years. But the Walla Walla Valley AVA, which straddles southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon, is also making a name for itself with outstanding white, rosé, and bubbles.

Our Walla Walla AVA wine guide takes a look at some of our favorite Walla Walla wineries and wine tasting experiences in the area.

We love Walla Walla wine country. Alain and I try to visit once a year, and every visit we find more to explore!

Established in 1984, the Walla Walla AVA is home to roughly 120 wineries, and it seems like new ones opening all the time. While many specialize in robust reds like Cabernets and Merlots, others take a different approach, focusing solely on Rosé or sparkling wine.

And other interesting varietals are also beginning to crop up, like Sangiovese, Mourvedre, and Tempranillo. That makes this AVA one of the most vibrant and exciting in the Northwest.

In this guide, we'll explore some our favorite Walla Walla-area wineries and provide some tasting notes on wines we loved.

About the Walla Walla Valley AVA

The Walla Walla Valley AVA is what's known as a Crossborder AVA: it straddles both Washington and Oregon state.

The location is ideal for wine enthusiasts from Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Washington, and Boise, Idaho, as it's located about 250 miles (or a 4 hour drive) from each of these cities.

The Washington side is home to many of this region's wineries. But just eight miles out from the city of Walla Walla and across the Columbia River, you'll find the warmest growing region in Oregon - The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater.

The area's climate makes it ideal for growing warm weather grapes like Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache, while diverse soil types and varied elevation contribute to the wide range of wines produced here.

Wineries in the Walla Walla Valley AVA

Alton Wines

While we have yet to visit the winery, I had the opportunity to try some Alton wines and meet owner/winemaker Joe Woodworth at a winemaker dinner on a recent press trip. I fell in love with the Mourvedre, and the Chardonnay.

Wines: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine tasting experience:
Wine flight: $30 per person (fee waived with two bottle per taster purchase)
7 guests max.
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Fri-Sun: 10:45am - 4pm
(private tastings for groups larger than 7 available Mon-Thu)

Wine Tasting Room:
3782 Peppers Bridge Rd
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 720-7136

For more info, visit the Alton website.

Aluve Cellars

Aluve owners & winemakers Kelly and JJ are former Air Force pilots who named their winery after the combination of Italian words meaning Winged Grape. They are two of the sweetest people you'll meet, and their passion for winemaking is clear. Their Primo Volo is a beautiful red blend that would be perfect for summer barbecues or with a rich red sauce pasta.

Wines: Chardonnay, Sangiovese Rosé, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec

Wine tasting experience:
Wine flight: $15 per person (refundable with a $30 wine purchase)
8 guests max. (for larger groups, call the winery)
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Fri-Sun: 10:30am - 4:30pm (March thru June)

Wine Tasting Room:
100 Aluve Ln
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 520-6251

For more info, visit the Aluve website

Full winery review coming soon

Brook and Bull

Winemaker Ashley Trout and team craft beautiful blends with low oak profiles. The Silent Ode is one of our faves: a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot. Lovely earthy, moody red blend with stewed strawberries and graphite.

Wines: Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Syrah

Wine tasting experience:
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Thu-Sun: 11am - 5pm

Wine Tasting Room:
1249 Lyday Ln
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 563-2191

For more info, visit the Brook and Bull website

Browne Family Vineyards

With a tasting room located on Main Street in downtown Walla Walla, Browne Family Vineyards is always a must-stop for us when we're in town. With a wide range of wines available to try, they offer a sweeping taste of what Walla Walla valley has to offer.

Wines: Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo Rosé, Brut Rosé, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, Merlot, Petit Verdot

Wine tasting experience:
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Daily: 11am - 5pm

Wine Tasting Room:
31 E. Main St
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 522-1261

For more info, visit the Browne Family Vineyards website

Read our review of Browne Family Vineyards (to be updated soon!)

Caprio Cellars

Caprio Cellars offers one of the best wine tasting experiences available in Walla Walla. Not only are the tastings free, but they are also paired with absolutely DELICIOUS small plates expertly crafted by Chef Ian Williams. These are some of the best food & wine pairings I've enjoyed at a winery anywhere, hands down.

The tasting room is modern and spacious, the wines are interesting and delicious (their grenache rosé is an elegant expression), and the staff are warm and welcoming.

Wines: White and red blends, Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine tasting experience:
Free tastings paired with seasonal small plates
6 guests max. (for larger groups, call the winery)
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Wed-Sun: 11am - 5pm

Wine Tasting Room:
1603 Whitely Rd
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 412-3054

For more info, visit the Caprio Cellars website

Full winery review coming soon

Corliss wines

With estate vineyards on Red Mountain, Corliss is known for producing exceptional bold red wines. I had the good fortune of tasting the 2008 Cabernet Franc during the Reveal Walla Walla library wine tasting. Rich tannins, stewed red berries, and just a hint of mellowed bell pepper, with a smooth long finish.

Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah

Wine tasting experience:
Reservations required. To book a tasting, email the winery (corlis [at] corliss.wine).

Wine Tasting Hours:
By reservation only

Wine Tasting Room:
511 N. Second Ave
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 526-4400

For more info, visit the Corliss website

Dama Wines

Dama Wines is owned and operated by a team of amazing women who make some incredible wines. Founder/winemaker Mary Derby consistently creates some of my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo in the valley. The bottles always feature intriguing artwork from different artists.

Wines: Rosé, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Merlot, Syrah

Wine tasting experience:
Tasting fee applies (waived with a $35 bottle purchase per taster)
6 guests max.
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 5pm

Wine Tasting Room:
123 E. Main St
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 525-2299

For more info, visit the Dama Wines website

Delmas Cellars

Delmas Cellars is a multigenerational winery founded by Mary and Steve Robertson, and managed by their daughter, Director of Winegrowing, Brooke Delmas Robertson. SJR Vineyard is located in The Rocks District AVA in Milton-Freewater, Oregon; Steve Robertson spearheaded the efforts to formalize this area as its own AVA, under the Walla Walla Valley AVA.

Delmas wines are fine examples of the distinctive qualities of The Rocks District. The Syrah is a gorgeous rich purple, with moody aromas and flavors of blackberry, smoke, and chocolate.

Wines: Viognier, Red blends, Syrah

Wine tasting experience:
Tours by appointment. Reservations required.

For more info, visit the Delmas Wines website

Ducleaux Cellars

Toby Turlay is the charming, energetic winemaker behind the Ducleaux label. Together with husband Chris Dukelow, they're raising six kids and a wine label. With wines named Anarchy, Love & Chaos, and One Night Stand, these are fun, drink now wines from The Rocks District AVA nested under the Walla Walla Valley AVA.

Jordyn is a beautiful Rhone blend of Viognier and Roussane and is wine bottled for a good cause. Named after Chris's daughter Jordyn, Ducleaux donates $2 from every bottle of Jordyn sold to pediatric brain cancer research.

Wines: Red and white blends, Rosé, Syrah

Wine tasting experience:
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Mon-Thu: Appt. only

Wine Tasting Room:
54211 Turbyne Rd
Milton-Freewater, OR 97862
(206) 227-7256

For more info, visit the Ducleaux Cellars website

Dunham Cellars

With a tasting room located in a remodeled World War II era airplane hanger, Dunham Cellars has been making wine in Walla Walla for 25 years. They have two estate vineyards and also source grapes from throughout the Walla Walla Valley and Columbia Valley.

Wines: Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah

Wine tasting experience:
Wine flight: $10 per person (refundable with wine club enrollment)
10 guests max.
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Daily: 11am - 4pm

Wine Tasting Room:
150 E. Boeing Ave
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 529-4685

For more info, visit the Dunham Cellars website

Force Majeure

Specializing in estate-grown, single-vineyard Bordeaux and Rhône varietal wines, Force Majeure Winemaker Todd Alexander and team make approximately 3200 cases of wine each year. With an original estate vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA, Force Majeure has acquired two new vineyard sites recently: one in The Rocks District and one near North Fork, both in the Walla Walla Valley AVA.

Force Majeure wines are thoughtful, elegant, and show strong finesse. These are limited production wines have consistently scored high among wine critics. The 2016 Force Majeure SJR Vineyard Syrah received a perfect 100 point score from former Wine Advocate critic Jeb Dunnuck.

Wines: Viognier, Red blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah

Wine tasting experience:
Wine flight: $50 per person (refunded with a $250 purchase of wine)
6 guests max.
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Tue-Sat: 10am - 5pm

Wine Tasting Room:
52274 Pleasant View Rd
Milton-Freewater, OR 97862
(509) 529-0736

For more info, visit the Force Majeure website

Full winery review coming soon

Foundry Vineyards

The Foundry Vineyards tasting room is one of my personal favorites in the Walla Walla Valley AVA. Part wine tasting room, part gallery, part local artisan shop, there's also a contemporary outdoor art garden. Foundry focuses on small lot, low intervention wines. While their big reds are amazing, I highly recommend you taste wines from their Pet Project series. These are beautifully crafted, low intervention Pét Nat sparkling wines.

Wines: Chardonnay, Grenache, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec

Wine tasting experience:
Wine flight: $15 per person
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Thu-Sun: 11am - 4pm

Wine Tasting Room:
111 Abadie St
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 529-0736

For more info, visit the Foundry Vineyards website

Read more about Foundry in our Best Things to Do in Walla Walla guide

Gifford Hirlinger

This small, family-owned estate winery owned by Mike and Melissa Bergham has been producing wines in the Walla Walla valley for over 20 years. They offer a limited number of wines per year - currently a Stateline Red, Syrah, and a Merlot - and their tasting room is available by appointment.

Wines: Red blend, Merlot, Syrah

Wine tasting experience:
Currently available by appointment only

Wine Tasting Hours:
Fri-Sun: 11am - 5pm

Wine Tasting Room:
1450 Stateline Rd
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 301-9229

For more info, visit the Gifford Hirlinger website

House of Smith

No matter where you live, you've likely heard of or at least seen the labels of House of Smith wines. Founder Charles Smith created the iconic K Vintners wines, the largest independently owned winery in Washington, and has built up the House of Smith umbrella brand to include K Vintners and several other wine labels.

The Walla Walla tasting room is a modern, expansive space just off Main Street in downtown Walla Walla.

Wines: Chardonnay, Sparkling Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese Rosé, Pinot Noir, Red blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah

Wine tasting experience:
Various wine flights
7 guests max. without reservation
8 or more, reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Wed-Sun: 12pm - 6pm

Wine Tasting Room:
35 South Spokane St
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 526-5230

For more info, visit the House of Smith website

Read our full review of the K Vintners and Charles Smith wine tasting experience.

Kontos Cellars

This is Alain's favorite Walla Walla winery, and it's one of mine too! The tasting room is located right in downtown Walla Walla, and it's a fun spot to taste through their incredible lineup of wines. Winemaker Cameron Kontos is a 2nd generation winemaker and he and his family are 6th generation Walla Walla residents. Kontos makes single varietal and red blends with grapes from some of the best vineyard sites in the valley, including my personal favorite vineyard: Les Collines.

Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec

Wine tasting experience:
Wine flight: $15 per person (waived with bottle purchase)
Reservations not required, but available upon request

Wine Tasting Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11am - 6pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 6:30pm

Wine Tasting Room:
10 N Second Ave
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 204-2141

For more info, visit the Kontos Cellars website

Read more about Kontos Cellars in our Best Things to Do in Walla Walla guide

L'Ecole Winery

The third winery to open in Walla Walla, L'Ecole is a third-generation family owned winery located in the town's historic Frenchtown School. The winery will be celebrating their 40th harvest in the fall of 2022, and their label is one of the most recognized and most honored in the state.

Known for producing a wide variety of wines, I'm especially partial to the single vineyard wines. The 2019 Ferguson Vineyard (pictured above, right) consists mostly of Cabernet Sauvignon (51%) with Merlot, Malbec, and Petite Verdot. The higher elevation of the vineyard helps create a well structured wine with natural high acidity. This 2019 vintage is poised for long aging (20+ years!) and I can't wait to see how it transforms with age.

Wines: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Rosé, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot

Wine tasting experience:
Wine flight: $20 per person (waived with a $40 wine purchase)
10 guests max
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Daily: 10am - 5pm

Wine Tasting Room:
41 Lowden School Rd
Lowden, WA 99360
(509) 525-0940

For more info, visit the L'Ecole Winery website

Read our full review of the L'Ecole Winery wine tasting experience.

Otis Kenyon Wine

In the sometimes mysterious weird world of wine, there are family origin stories that stick with you. The history of the Otis Kenyon wine family is a story that rings with intrigue, an oddness, and a reunion scenario that is distinctly Pacific Northwest. I'll let you read the entire story over on the Otis Kenyon website, but it's the silhouette of James Otis Kenyon, great-grandfather to winemaker Stephen Otis Kenyon, that adorns the labels of this family-owned winery.

With classic regional varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, Otis Kenyon Malbec, Tempranillo, and Carmenere are definitely worth tasting as well.

Wines: Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, Tempranillo

Wine tasting experience:
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Thu-Sat: 11am - 6pm
Sun-Mon: 11am - 5pm

Wine Tasting Room:
23 E. Main Street
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 525-3505

For more info, visit the Otis Kenyon website

Pepper Bridge Winery

Pepper Bridge Winery was founded in 1998 by Norm McKibbon, who is known as one of the Founding Fathers of the Walla Walla wine industry. The winery now has two generations actively working in the day-to-day operations.

The winery focuses exclusively on estate-grown Bordeaux-style wines. It is one of only a handful of wineries in the state that produces 100 percent estate grown wines. Their vineyards are Certified Sustainable and Salmon Safe.

Wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Red blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

Wine tasting experience:
Seated tasting: $20 per person (tasting fee waived with bottle purchase)
Facility tour and tasting: $40 (tasting fee waived with bottle purchase)
Food & wine pairing class: $90
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Daily: 10am - 4pm

Wine Tasting Room:
1704 J.B. George Rd
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 525-6502

For more info, visit the Pepper Bridge Winery website

For more information, please read our full review of the Pepper Bridge Winery experience.

Rotie Cellars

If you're looking for something a little different, you need to go wine tasting at Rôtie Cellars. Located in The Rocks District of the Walla Walla Valley AVA, in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, owner/winemaker Sean Boyd craft single clone and blends that are truly storytellers of place and time.

The Rôtie estate vineyard that surrounds the tasting room consists of alluvial basalt cobblestones that are distinctive of The Rocks District. These stony soils produce grapes that make special, funky rich Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre.

Wines: White and red blends

Wine tasting experience:
Wine flight: $30 per person (waived with $50 purchase)
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11am - 3pm
Fri-Sun: 11am - 5pm

Wine Tasting Room:
84328 Trumbull Ln
Milton-Freewater, OR 97862
(509) 301-9074

For more info, visit the Rotie Cellars website

Full winery review coming soon!

Seven Hills Winery

Established in 1988, Seven Hills Winery is one of the founding wineries of Walla Walla, Washington. Their tasting room is right downtown, and is currently the only tasting room located in a working winery in this area. With a focus on crafting Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines, you'll also find several white wines and a dry rosé.

Wines: Rosé, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot

Wine tasting experience:
Signature Tasting: $25 per person (waived with $40 purchase)
Reserve Tasting: $45 per person (waived with $85 purchase)
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Daily: 10am - 5pm

Wine Tasting Room:
212 N 3rd Ave
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(877) 777-7870

For more info, visit the Seven Hills Winery website

SMAK Wines

A rosé wine for every season. That's what SMAK wines offers, and I have to agree with owner/winemaker Fiona Mak when she says that rosé is more than just a beverage: "it's a lifestyle." SMAK rosé wines are thoughtfully crafted to each season, with a gorgeous fashion-forward label. They are all delicious, and I love serving these wines at summer gatherings - or just for Wednesday night summer sippers out on the back deck.

Wines: Rosé, Sparkling Rosé

Wine tasting experience:
Wine flight: $20 per person (waived with $20 purchase)
5 guests max (for larger groups, contact the winery)
Reservations recommended

Wine Tasting Hours:
Fri-Sat: 11am - 4pm

Wine Tasting Room:
594 Piper Ave
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 628-9643

For more info, visit the SMAK Winery website

Spring Valley Vineyard

With a long familial history in the Walla Walla valley, Dean and Shari Derby first planted vines in Spring Valley in 1993. Serge Laville has been the head winemaker since 2004, and Dean and Shari's granddaughter, Katherine, is the assistant winemaker. While Spring Valley Vineyard is located about 12 miles northeast of Walla Walla, you can taste through their entire portfolio of wines at their downtown Walla Walla tasting room

Wines: Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah

Wine tasting experience:
Wine flight: $20 per person
Spring Valley Farm Supper: Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Wine Tasting - Daily: 10:30am - 3pm
Farm Supper - Daily: from 6pm

Wine Tasting Room:
2 East Rose St
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(855) 301-0619

For more info, visit the Spring Valley Vineyard website

SuLei Cellars

Su Lei Cellars is a woman owned & operated winery with tasting rooms in both Walla Walla and Vancouver, Washington. Sourcing grapes from the Walla Walla Valley, Yakima Valley, and Columbia Valley, winemaker Tanya Woodley produces a range of wines, from bright Albariño to bold Walla Walla red blends.

Wines: Albarino, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red blends

Wine tasting experience:
By appointment only

Wine Tasting Hours:
Fri-Sun: 12pm - 5pm

Wine Tasting Room:
1509 Beet Rd
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 529-0840

For more info, visit the SuLei website

Tamarack Cellars

Founded in 1998 by Ron and Jamie Coleman, Tamarack's first vintage consisted of 300 cases of Merlot. As of 2019, Tamarack was producing around 25,000 cases per year, with a goal of making 50,000 around this time. The tasting room is located in the Airport District, in an old firehouse, which gives its name to the popular Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red blend.

Wines: White and red blends, Chardonnay, Rosé, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot

Wine tasting experience:
Tasting room temporarily closed.

Wine Tasting Hours:
n/a

Wine Tasting Room:
700 C St
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 526-3533

For more info, visit the Tamarack website

Va Piano Winery

The Italian proverb from which Va Piano takes its name, means when you go slowly, you go safely and you go far. A visit to the picturesque tasting house invites you to slow down, enjoy the wine and company of new and old friends. Their wines are divine, and their Syrah in particular has long been one of my favorites.

Wines: Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah

Wine tasting experience:
Wine flight: $30 per person (waived with two bottle purchase)
8 guests max (for larger groups, please contact the winery)
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Daily: 11am - 5pm

Wine Tasting Room:
1793 J.B. George Rd
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 529-0900

For more info, visit the Va Piano Vineyards website

Read our full review of the Va Piano Winery wine tasting experience.

Vital Wines

Brook and Bull owner/winemaker Ashley Trout's Vital Wines is a line developed solely to support the health, dignity, and inclusion of vineyard and winery workers in the Walla Walla area. 100% of the profits of every Vital Wines bottle sold goes toward supporting vineyard workers. So far, more than 2,000 cases of Vital Wines have been sold, and more than $35,000 has been donated to the SOS clinic, a local, free, bilingual health clinic. During the early stages of the pandemic, Vital Wines also raised $18,000 to help vineyard workers stay home if they or a crew member became infected.

The bonus for us: the wines are crafted with care and bottled with love, which you can taste in each sip. These are wines you can fully enjoy, knowing your money is also helping those who work so hard to make the wines of Walla Walla.

Wines: Chardonnay, Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah

Wine tasting experience:
Reservations not required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Friday: 11am - 5pm

Wine Tasting Room:
17 North Second St
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 540-2323

For more info, visit the Vital Wines website

Walla Walla Vintners

Walla Walla's 8th winery, established in 1995 by Scott and Nici Haladay, is set on beautiful historic property. The tasting room is cozy and modern, and opens up to a picnic area beside the vineyards. Winemaker Derrek Vipond crafts lovely, elegant wines. My fave is their Cabernet Franc.

Wines: Rosé, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah

Wine tasting experience:
Wine flight: $25 per person (waived with $50 purchase)
8 guests max
Reservations recommended

Wine Tasting Hours:
Daily: 10am - 4pm

Wine Tasting Room:
225 Vineyard Ln
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 525-4724

For more info, visit the Walla Walla Vintners website

Read more in our Best Things to Do in Walla Walla guide.

The Walls Vineyards

Naming a winery after the locals' nickname for the Washington State Penitentiary is a bit out of the ordinary, but so are the wines you'll find here at The Walls. In a good way! Consulting winemaker Todd Alexander (of Force Majeure wines) is able to work with a variety of vineyard sites to create stunning red blends, Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, a Grenache Rosé, and Merlot.

The team at The Walls recently launched the PÁŠXA Wines labels. These wines are expressions of the team's commitment to sustainable farming and winemaking practices. I recently enjoyed some at a winemaker dinner, and found them soft, beautiful, elegant.

Wines: Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo

Wine tasting experience:
Wine flight: $35 per person
10 guests max
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Daily: 10am - 4:30pm

Wine Tasting Room:
1015 W. Pine St
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 876-0200

For more info, visit the Walls Vineyards website

Read more in our Best Things to Do in Walla Walla guide.

Waterbrook Winery

Founded in 1984, Waterbrook has wide distribution throughout the United States. And, chances are, at one point in your life, you've likely either had the chance to enjoy a glass of Waterbrook with dinner at a local restaurant, or you've seen their bottles at your local grocery store or wine shop.

Their tasting room is massive and beautiful. Winemaker John Freeman has earned more than eighty 90+ scores and 100 Best Buy wines. My favorites are from the Icon line, which you can only find at their Walla Walla tasting room.

Wines: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Viognier, Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah

Wine tasting experience:
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Sat-Mon: 10am - 6pm
Tue-Fri: 11am-6pm

Wine Tasting Room:
10518 West Highway 12
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 522-1262

For more info, visit the Waterbrook Winery website

Read our full feature article on Waterbrook Winery review.

Woodward Canyon

Woodward Canyon was established in 1981 Rick Small and Darcey Fugman-Small as the second winery in the Walla Walla. Rick and Darcey’s children, Jordan and Sager, share in the ownership of Woodward Canyon and are transitioning into leadership roles in the winery and vineyard, alongside winemaker Kevin Mott, who is also a partner in the business.

Two wine lines of note are the Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon and the Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyards used in the "Artist Series" are among the oldest and most highly regarded in the state, with typical vine age around 25 years old. I fell in love with the most recent Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon at a recent tasting at Woodward Canyon; it's one of those wines you keep thinking about long after the last sip.

Wines: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine tasting experience:
Wine flight: $15 per person (fee waived any bottle purchase)
Reservations not required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Daily: 10am - 5pm

Wine Tasting Room:
11920 W. Hwy 12
Lowden, WA 99360
(509) 525-4129

For more info, visit the Woodward Canyon website

Yellowhawk Resort & Sparkling House

In the space formerly known as Basel Cellars, Yellowhawk Resort and Sparkling House is a stunning 84-acre hilltop property. With luxurious Northwest-style lodging, a large tasting room, and winemaker George-Ann Robertson heading up an exciting sparkling wine program, Yellowhawk is a can't miss destination when visiting Walla Walla.

Wines: Sparkling white, rosé, and reds

Wine tasting experience:
Reservations required

Wine Tasting Hours:
Thu-Mon: 11am - 4pm

Wine Tasting Room:
2901 Old Milton Hwy
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 522-0200

For more info, visit the Yellowhawk Resort website

Updated review of Yellowhawk Vineyards (formerly Basel Cellars) coming soon!

Where to Stay Nearby

If you're traveling to Walla Walla wine country, check out these Walla Walla hotels and accommodations:

• Courtyard Marriott
• The Marcus Whitman Hotel (hotel review coming soon)
• Yellowhawk Resort (read our past review of the former Basel Cellars)