Last Updated on February 28, 2023 by admin
There are over 120 wineries in Walla Walla, so there are plenty of different wineries to visit! It can definitely be a little overwhelming trying to pick and choose which wineries to visit with a limited amount of time. I’ve been to Walla Walla several times to go wine-tasting, and in this article, I’m sharing 10 of my favorite wineries in Walla Walla. It’s possible to visit all 10 of these in a weekend, so read on for a breakdown of our full itinerary, map of the wineries, and our wine-tasting tips! You don’t have to be a wine expert to enjoy wine tasting in Walla Walla. Just pack your bags and get ready for a fun trip!
| Join our newsletter (linked here) for monthly updates! |
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. These sales help to run this blog without any additional cost to you. See our policy page for details.
About Walla Walla Wineries
Walla Walla Valley covers over 3,000 acres in Washington and Oregon. The city of Walla Walla, specifically, is located in Washington State. We learned that 44 different varietals of grape can grow in Walla Walla, which means that there’s plenty of options for winemakers to create amazing wines!
Walla Walla Valley is Washington’s second American Viticultural Area (AVA). About 95% of the area is planted with red grapes, with the remaining 5% dedicated to white grapes. The region is especially famous for its syrah and cabernet sauvignon production, so be sure to try those types of wine while you’re visiting!
The Walla Walla Valley is comprised of 6 different wine districts: Westside, Downtown, Airport, Eastside, Southside, and Oregon. We recommend visiting several wineries in each district to make the most of your drive time. During our last visit, we primarily visited wineries in the Southside and Downtown.
What I like best about visiting Walla Walla is that each of the wineries has a specific theme or decor. Some of the wineries look like they are straight from Tuscany, others resemble bodegas in Spain, some are upscale and classy, others are rustic, and some are laid-back and fun. You will definitely love exploring the different wineries!
“A good wine requires a mad man to grow the vine, a wise man to watch over it, a lucid poet to make it and a lover to drink it.” – Salvador Dalí
| See our article on 25 Things to Do in Walla Walla! (We’ll share lots of activities besides wine tasting!) |
Where to Stay in Walla Walla
There are lots of unique places to stay in Walla Walla. Here are some ideas:
- The Finch: This hotel is centrally located downtown. This new hotel has fresh rooms and lots of outdoor gathering areas.
- Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center: The Marcus Whitman is the tallest building in Walla Walla. The historic hotel has decor from the 1930s and is centrally located. We stayed here during our last visit to Walla Walla, and we really enjoyed it. We’d definitely recommend it to others!
- Eritage Resort: This luxurious resort has countryside views, a fine dining restaurant, and beautiful guest rooms.
- Cameo Heights Mansion: This luxurious bed and breakfast is located in the nearby town of Touchet. The mansion is adults-only and features uniquely-styled rooms, a pool, and a fine dining restaurant. This location would be perfect for a romantic getaway!
- The Inn at Abeja: If you want to stay at a winery, check out the Inn at Abeja. This winery has cute cottages and suites.
For a full list of accommodations in Walla Walla, click here. (There are dozens of properties to choose from!)
We also wrote an article going into more depth about places to stay in Walla Walla. Click here to read the full article.
10 of the Best Walla Walla Wineries
L’Ecole No. 41
Address: 41 Lowden School Rd, Lowden, WA 99360
Website: https://www.lecole.com/
The first winery we visited was L’Ecole No. 41. If you’re traveling from Seattle, it’s one of the first wineries you will see before you enter the city of Walla Walla.
The winery is set in a building that used to be a schoolhouse. (The schoolhouse was built in 1915!) So, you’ll get to sip on wines while hanging out in a building with over 100 years of history. When you purchase a bottle of wine at L’Ecole No. 41, you’ll also see the iconic schoolhouse depicted in the wine label.
The winery chose the name L’Ecole because it means the school in French. (There were many Canadian French settlers in Walla Walla at the time.) The winery chose Number 41 because the school was located in school district 41.
When we visited L’Ecole No. 41, we entered the old schoolhouse and saw a library full of books, as well as a bookshelf ladder. It was a sunny day, so we opted to have our wine tasting in their outside patio.
We tried 5 different wines during our tasting. They also brought out a decanter of water and cracker sticks. Our server taught us about the different types of wines, and she even brought out some samples of the soil to show us what makes Walla Walla wines so special. She taught us that the roots grow through fractured basalt, which helps to add additional minerality to the wines. She also showed us a sample of the soil so that we could see the sediment.
I thought that this winery would be perfect for large groups or families with children. There was a large grassy lawn with picnic tables and a couple pieces of playground equipment. You can definitely spread out and enjoy!
Barons Winery
11 N 2nd Ave, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Website: https://baronsv.com/
We stayed at the historic Marcus Whitman Hotel while we were in Walla Walla, and the front desk gave us a card for free wine tasting across the street at Barons Winery. We decided to visit their tasting room after we checked into our room. We’re glad that we did, because it was one of our favorite visits of the weekend!
The winery specializes in the Bordeaux grape varietals. (If you love a good red wine, be sure to check out this winery!)
Barons Winery is a tasting room located in downtown Walla Walla. What we loved most about this winery (aside from the wine!) was the very personalized service we received. We learned so much about wine making! The Tasting Room Manager, Stephanie, brought out lots of maps and posters to teach us about winemaking in the Walla Walla Valley. She also brought us out a soil sample in a glass jar for us to look at while she was explaining the winemaking process to us. I really enjoyed learning about the “family tree” of wine grapes. (When you visit, ask about the history of the Caberene grape!) We received the most in-depth education about the wine valley at this tasting room.
We tried 6 different wines in total (primarily red wines), one of which was paired with a piece of dark chocolate. They were all super delicious!
Plumb Cellars
39 E Main St, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Website: https://plumbcellars.com/
Plumb Cellars is located downtown and was definitely one of the more popular tasting rooms. When we visited Walla Walla, they had live music on the weekend and lots of people hanging out on their patio. They’re well-known for their wine slushies… perfect for a hot day!
Plumb Cellars specializes in a Bordeaux-style blend, which they named Damn Straight. This winery is a lot of fun!
Sleight of Hand Cellars
3861 1st Ave S G, Seattle, WA 98134
Website: https://www.sofhcellars.com/
As soon as we arrived to Sleight of Hand Cellars, we knew we found one of our favorite wineries. The music was jamming and the tasting room had a nice laid-back vibe.
There were lots of vinyl records to browse through while we sipped on our wine. The owner is definitely a big fan of Pearl Jam, and you’ll see lots of their posters throughout the tasting room.
The winery had indoor and outdoor seating. We ordered a glass of their Archimage Red Blend to share and found a nice spot inside. While we were there, we bought a bottle of The Conjurer. The label has a picture of Neil Patrick Harris as a magician. I asked our server what that was all about, and he said that Neil Patrick Harris is a big fan of their winery. I wasn’t able to verify this story, but apparently Neil Harris signed up for their wine club. When the owners called to see if it was the famous actor, turned out it was him! They asked if he wanted to be on one of their wine labels, and the rest is history! You’ll have to visit this winery yourself, though, to see if you can verify the story. I’ve heard there are several versions. 🙂
One of the things I liked about this winery is the fact that if you buy a bottle, they’ll drop it off at your hotel for you. (If you’re at one of the main hotels in the area.) Because we were staying at the Marcus Whitman, they were able to drop it off for us. We didn’t have to worry about carrying the bottle with us all day, and we didn’t have to worry about the wine getting too hot in our car. When we got back to our hotel that night, our bottle was waiting for us at the front desk.
We’d definitely recommend this winery to others. The people there were so friendly! We really didn’t want to leave, so we’ll have to come back again one day!
Castillo de Feliciana
85728 Telephone Pole Rd, Milton-Freewater, OR 97862
Website: http://castillodefeliciana.com/visit-us/walla-walla-estate-winery/
I’ve been to Castillo de Feliciana twice, and both times I’ve absolutely loved it there. I used to live in Spain, and wine-tasting at Castillo de Feliciana makes me feel like I’m back in Spain. The tasting room is located in a beautiful white building surrounded by lavender plants.
When we arrived, we heard the soft music of flamenco guitar and we sat outside for the wine tasting. The winery had a nice water feature outside which made the experience even more peaceful. The landscaping was beautiful, and they also had some outdoor activities like corn hole to play.
We ordered the wine tasting flight (which was delicious), which included 4 tastings. However, Castillo de Feliciana is especially known for their sangria. You can purchase sangria by the glass or by the growler. Just be sure to check out their website to make sure you are in time for sangria season.
You can read more about our experience at Castillo de Feliciana here.
Yellowhawk Resort
2901 Old Milton Hwy, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Website: https://yellowhawkresort.com/
If you’re looking for sparkling wines, head to Yellowhawk Resort. We ordered a sparking wine flight and got to try 3 types of sparkling wines: a white, a rose, and a red. We also learned that unlike red wines, you don’t want to swirl your glass before tasting. (It releases the bubbles prematurely!) Instead, just pick up your glass, smell the wine, and take a sip.
What we really loved about Yellowhawk Resort was the property itself. The winery sits on top of a hill, so you’ll be able to see the rolling fields around you. They also have a paved path so you can walk through the vineyard.
The main building is also super impressive. Because it’s a resort, you can choose to stay there overnight. The front doors showcased a massive wood carving, and the main room had a large fireplace. If you stay at the resort, you also don’t have to worry about transportation after drinking. (Always a plus!)
Va Piano Vineyards
1793 J B George Rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Website: https://www.vapianovineyards.com/
This winery was named after the following Italian saying: chi va piano, va sano e ve lontano. (When you go slowly, you go safely and you go far.) The name Va Piano couldn’t be more fitting. As soon as we stepped onto the property, we felt completely relaxed. The winery is very small and intimate, and it reminded us of a Tuscan villa. The outdoor seating was also very private. It truly really felt like we were at a small winery in Italy. To this day, whenever we feel frazzled, we’ll tell each other, “I wish we were at Va Piano right now!”
You’ll need to make reservations in advance to enter this winery. The road to the winery has a locked gate, so you’ll need the gate code to enter the property. Because of that, it tends to be less crowded than some of the other wineries.
I’ve been to Va Piano twice, and both times I really enjoyed sitting in their outdoor space. They recently renovated their patio, and there’s a pretty fountain, swinging chairs, and several Adirondack-style chairs to choose from.
Their tasting flight included 6 different wines. They were all so delicious! We bought two bottles of the sauvignon blanc to take home because it was our favorite.
Valdemar Estates
17409 133rd Ave NE Unit 1203, Woodinville, WA 98072
Website: https://valdemarestates.com/
As I mentioned previously, I love all things Spain. When I was living in Spain, my host-father taught me all about Rioja wines. He sent me home with a bottle to give to my parents, and I’ve been in love with Riojas ever since.
The winery had its beginnings in Spain. After one of the owner’s children studied in Washington, they were convinced to build a second winery in Washington State. Thus, Valdemar Estates offers wines from the Walla Walla region as well as Spain.
The winery has a cool industrial vibe, with a large outdoor seating area and water feature.
We ordered a tasting flight of the Spanish wines (I couldn’t resist!) and paired them with authentic Spanish tapas. Basically, I was in heaven.
Long Shadows
1604 Frenchtown Rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Website: https://longshadows.com/
Looking for some of Washington State’s best wines? Head to Long Shadows winery. The winery was created by 9 acclaimed winemakers. Basically, the best-of-the-best came together and decided to dedicate themselves to making the perfect wines.
The winery has both indoor and outdoor seating. The inside seating area is both elegant and sophisticated, featuring world-famous Chihuly blown glass. The outdoor seating area has beautiful views of rolling fields.
We visited Long Shadows on our last day in Walla Walla. (Perhaps we saved the best for last?) We ordered a white tasting flight which was absolute perfection. Although we don’t consider ourselves wine experts by any means, we gave some of our top ratings to the wines at Long Shadows.
Our server also gave us a demonstration by pouring the same white wine in two different types of tasting glasses. We actually tasted a difference! (We recommend you ask about this when you visit – it was really cool!)
You can read all. about experience at Long Shadows Vintners here. (We also include more photos!)
Waterbrook Winery
10518 US-12, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Website: https://waterbrook.com/
The last winery we visited was Waterbrook Winery. The winery is located about 11 miles west of downtown Walla Walla.
What we liked most about Waterbrook Winery was its large outdoor seating area. We sat across from a beautiful pond, and there was also a big fireplace, corn hole, and bocce ball.
We ordered a glass of white wine and enjoyed a nice lunch outside.
Waterbrook Winery has over 80 wines that have received wine scores of 90 or above. They know what they’re doing!
Book a Walla Walla Wine Tour
One way to visit the wineries in Walla Walla is to book a wine tour. When you book a tour, you’ll be able to visit multiple wineries in the same day without having to worry about being sober to drive. Also, everyone in your party will be able to drink as well. When you split the cost among a group of friends or family, it’s also fairly affordable. If you book this wine tour, you’ll be able to customize your tour. (You can choose the wineries!)
Walla Walla Weekend Wine-Tasting Itinerary
You can visit all of these wineries we mentioned in this article in one long weekend. (We know because we did it ourselves!) To minimize driving time, it helps to cluster the wineries together by location. Before your visit, be sure to check out current hours of operation. They can change by season, so you may need to adjust!
Here’s the itinerary we completed:
Friday:
3pm: L’Ecole No.41
5pm: Barons Winery
Saturday:
11am: Slight of Hand Cellars
11:30am: Castillo de Feliciana
1pm: Yellowhawk Resort (tasting and lunch)
3pm: Va Piano
5pm: Valdemar Estates (tasting and dinner)
7:30pm: Plumb Cellars
Sunday:
11:30am: Long Shadows
1:30pm: Waterbrook Winery
Map of the Wineries we Visited
Here is a map of the wineries we visited during our last trip to Walla Walla:
Walla Walla Wineries List
There are lots of Walla Walla Wineries! There are often new wineries that open up, so be sure to check out the official Visit Walla Walla website for current updates.
Where to Eat in Walla Walla
We got the chance to visit several restaurants while we were in Walla Walla. Here’s the places we visited:
The Marc Restaurant
6 West Rose Street, Walla Walla WA 99362
For our first night in Walla Walla, we made reservations at the Marc Restaurant. We were staying at the Marcus Whitman Hotel, so it was very convenient to eat at their flagship restaurant. I had the shaved prime rib sliders, which were delicious. I also really enjoyed their beer cheese soup, and their garlic rolls were so good!
Yellowhawk Resort
2901 Old Milton Hwy, Walla Walla, WA 99362
During our first full day of wine tasting, we stopped at Yellowhawk Resort for lunch. We enjoyed prosciutto-wrapped dates and their ranch burger. They also have several tasting boards to choose from.
Valdemar Estates
3808 Rolling Hills Lane, Walla Walla, WA 99362
For dinner, we visited Valdemar Estates. Their menu consisted of tapas and rations. We ordered several rounds of tapas and enjoyed them with a wine tasting flight. I especially enjoyed the tortilla de patatas.
Bright’s Candies
11 E Main St, Walla Walla, WA 99362
The place to go for ice cream in Walla Walla is Bright’s Candies. We saw lots of people entering this candy store, so we knew they had to serve some good treats! The ice cream hit the spot after a long day of wine tasting and being in the sun.
Maple Counter Cafe
209 E Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Although we had complimentary breakfast included in our stay at the Marcus Whitman Hotel, we heard such good things about the Maple Counter Cafe that we had to have breakfast there on our last day. One of the house specials is the Apple Pancake, and it did not disappoint! It was massive and had such a delicious topping. It reminded me a lot of a soufflé, because it was at least several inches tall and had an egg taste to the main batter.
Waterbrook Winery
10518 US-12, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Before leaving Walla Walla, we had lunch at Waterbrook Winery. After a weekend full of wine tasting, I was looking to eat something healthy. I ordered their seasonal salad and it was really tasty. My husband ordered the smoked chicken sandwich and really liked that dish.
What to Pack for a Trip to Walla Walla
Here are a few things we recommend that you bring with you:
- Comfortable walking shoes: Don’t plan on wearing heels or anything uncomfortable. Many of the wineries have gravel or dirt paths, so you’ll want to wear something comfortable. If you’re visiting during the summer months, I recommend a good pair of sandals.
- Power Bank: We always keep a fully-charged power bank with us while we’re out exploring. That way, if our phone battery is running low, we can easily plug it in and re-charge on the go. We rely on our phones heavily for navigation and photography, so this product is a must for us.
- Notebook: During our last trip to Walla Walla, we brought a notebook to take notes of the different wines we tried. We wrote down the different labels, types of wine, and our impressions. It was really fun to compare notes! (And it also helped us to remember our favorite wines to look for at home!)
- Sun Hat: Don’t forget sun protection while you’re visiting the different wineries!
- Small crossbody purse: To easily carry your identification and credit cards.
(Click on any of the above images for shipping and pricing information.)
Tips for Wine Tasting in Walla Walla
- If you buy a bottle of wine from a winery, ask if it can be dropped off at your hotel. That way, you don’t have to carry it around all day. (Or risk it over-heating in a car!)
- Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking around a lot outside.
- Many of the wineries offer to waive the tasting fee if you buy a bottle or spend a certain amount of money.
- Take notes as you wine taste so that you can keep track of your favorites!
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The servers at each of the wineries we visited were so generous in sharing their knowledge.
- Don’t forget to eat! Pack snacks and make sure to schedule in your meals.
- On that note, don’t forget to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water.
- If you’re bringing your own car, it can be helpful to have a cooler to store snacks, water, and bottles of purchased wine. (If you visit during the summer, it can get very hot in Walla Walla.)
How to Get to Walla Walla
Walla Walla is located in the southeastern portion of Washington State.
Walla Walla is about 261 miles east from Seattle. (It’s about a 4 to 4.5-hour drive depending on traffic.)
Walla Walla is about 153 miles south of Spokane. (That’s about a 2.5 to 3-hour drive.)
And, Walla Walla is very close to the Oregon border. (One of our servers told us that she prefers to get her gas in Oregon so she doesn’t have to pump it herself.) The state line is just about a 10 minute drive south of Walla Walla. Walla Walla is about 3.5 to 4 hours away from Portland, Oregon.
You can also fly into Walla Walla Regional Airport (ALW). The flight from Seattle to Walla Walla is just a little over an hour long.
Summary: Our Adventure Wine Tasting in Walla Walla
We spent a romantic weekend in Walla Walla and enjoyed exploring many of the wineries. Even though we visited 10 or so wineries, we barely scratched the surface of what Walla Walla has to offer. We can’t wait to go back to Walla Walla to re-visit some of our favorite wineries listed here, as well as to visit some new ones. You definitely don’t need to be a wine expert to enjoy a trip to Walla Walla!
| If this article was helpful to you, please consider sharing it on your social media accounts to further help support our blog. Also, don’t forget to join our newsletter. Thank you! |
If you enjoyed this post, you may also be interested in the following posts:
- How to Book a Wine Tour in Walla Walla
- Best Places to Stay in Walla Walla
- Our Stay at the Historic Marcus Whitman Hotel in Walla Walla
- 25 Things to Do in Walla Walla
- Our Experience at Long Shadows Vintners in Walla Walla
- Our Full Review of Castillo de Feliciana
- Chelan’s Best Wineries
- Full Guide to Woodinville’s Wineries
- 32 Things to Do in Chelan
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please see individual websites embedded in this post for the most current trip-planning information.
Follow us on Instagram to see our current stories!
