I’m in love with Walla Walla, Washington! With over 120 wineries and a charming downtown full of delicious restaurants and independent shops, Walla Walla is a popular Eastern Washington wine region, which closely borders Oregon and what’s not to love!? The best wineries near Walla Walla are either found right downtown, where there are dozens of tasting rooms walking distance from one another, or are found at their estate vineyards, approximately a fifteen minute driving radius from the city center. So if you’re interested in Washington state wine, this is your guide to Walla Walla wineries to visit including restaurants and wine country hotels! Cheers friends and happy travels!

Your Guide to Walla Walla Wineries to Visit!

WALLA WALLA WINERIES

With so many amazing Walla Walla, Washington wineries to choose from, I’ve selected a handful of my favorites to help narrow down the options.

SMAK Wines – This woman owned, Rosé-exclusive producing winery is on the top of my list for wineries in Walla Walla. Fiona Mak, owner and winemaker, is passionate about Rosé and believes that it does not need to simply be limited to one season – it can be year round. A belief I support 100%. If you love a delicious Rosé, then make sure you stop into SMAK Wines, you will be so glad you did!

Vital Wines – Vital Wines is a special place, and one I encourage you to visit and make time for. 100 percent of their net profits are dedicated to ensuring vineyard and winery workers are recognized, valued, and have access to healthcare and other important resources. Falling in love with Vital’s wines are easy, they are simply delicious and it’s wonderful knowing that your purchase is helping others directly and with huge impact.

Foundry Wines – What originally began as a contemporary art facility, known as the Walla Walla Foundry, overtime saw the addition of Foundry Vineyards, a low-intervention, small lot production winery intent on making wines to commemorate the artists who worked with the facility. Operated now by brother and sister team, Jay & Lisa Anderson. The focus on art and wine has not wavered, as both have crafted their careers around the family’s passion for art in all its forms. Make sure to swing in and try out some wines from their pétproject, the oldest process for creating sparkling wines, which they are crafting beautifully.

Balboa Winery – With a focus on sustainable growing practices coupled with exacting hand labor to keep their vines healthy and balanced, Balboa Winery produces some of the highest quality, most delicious wines in the area. A small-production winery, Balboa Winery sources 95% of their grapes from their estate vineyards, located in the “Rocks District” of Milton Freewater. Make sure you plan a visit because not only are the wines amazing, the view in beautiful.

Caprio Cellars – Easily one of my favorites in the area, Caprio Cellars certainly knows the art of hospitality and producing high quality wines. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with sparkling wine and made to feel like part of the Caprio Cellars family. We enjoyed our wine tasting accompanied by exquisitely prepared scratch made, seasonally driven plates by Executive Chef Ian Williams. Make sure to carve out time to visit this gorgeous spot in the valley.

Walla Walla Vintners – An absolutely gorgeous historic estate set in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, Walla Walla Vintners is the valley’s 8th established winery. Your taste buds will be treated to exceptional wines with everything from Rosé, Sauv Blanc, Merlot, Sangiovese, Cab, Cab Franc and more. Grab a glass, or enjoy a tasting while you relax and take in the exceptional views.

Tranche – We visited Tranche during one of their live music evenings (hosted Fridays & Saturdays) and it was easily a highlight of our weekend visit. We enjoyed a guided tasting before selecting a glass to enjoy. It was absolute perfection. Their wines range from whites including Rosé, a delish single vineyard white blend, and Chardonnay to reds including a sultry single vineyard red blend, Cab and Syrah. Definitely add Tranche to the list of “must-visit”.

WALLA WALLA HOTELS

If this is your first time to the area, try to spend a minimum of three days. Below I’ve rounded up the best Walla Walla wine country hotels for your trip!

The Finch – Steps from downtown, this trendy, modern retreat offer complimentary breakfast, coffee, nightly firepit wine tasting and all the comforts from home. We loved our stay at The Finch. The hospitality, graciousness, and comfort of our room was a welcome treat after a day out sightseeing and wine tasting.

Eritage – Beautifully nestled on 300 acres in the rolling fields of wheat and vineyards of Washington wine country, Eritage is a luxury resort minutes from downtown Walla Walla. Each suite opens to a patio or deck with expansive views of the Blue Mountains and a pristine man-made lake. There is also an onsite restaurant featuring locally grown ingredients sourced from family farmers and ranchers.

Marcus Whitman – Set in the historic center of Walla Walla, this high-end conference hotel occupies a landmark 1920s brick building and offers polished rooms, six on-site wine tasting rooms, and the award-winning The Marc Restaurant. The hotel is easily walkable to restaurants, downtown shopping and tasting rooms.

Courtyard Marriott – Located just off historic Main Street in Walla Walla, within walking distance to multiple winery tasting rooms and restaurants, the Courtyard is a great choice offering onsite dining, meeting space, fitness center,  and outdoor space equipped with cozy seating and a fireplace.

WALLA WALLA RESTAURANTS

We had some of the best meals in Walla Walla, and I honestly cannot wait to go back… just to eat! Check out some of my favorites below.

Bacon & Eggs – The perfect spot to fuel up for a day of wine tasting, this busy, urban eatery offers a locavore breakfast and lunch menu, plus coffee, cocktails and delish baked goods. I loved their Huevos Rancheros and Brioche French Toast, the perfect combo of savory and sweet to start my day.

Walla Walla Bread Company – Where do I start?! This industrial-chic cafe and bakery offers fresh juices, artisan bread and pastries plus wood-fired pizza and other lunchtime favorites. With so much to choose from, my two pieces of advice are: 1. Make sure you arrive early if you’re interested in pastries, because they do sell out and 2. For goodness sake, get the Cinnamon Roll. It’s intense and insanely delicious. I’m still salivating over it.

TMac’s  – This gorgeous restaurant is a small, elegantly casual spot offering locally sourced, seasonal creations. I absolutely adored their Brussels Sprout salad filled with apples, bacon, pistachios, mint and sage. It was delightful and delicious!

Hattaway’s on Alder  – Honestly delicious inspired food with the charm of Southern hospitality, Hattaway’s on Alder brings together local ingredients of the Pacific Northwest, with the cooking traditions of the Southeast. I dove headfirst into their Chicken & Grits. No regrets, it was easily one of the best meals I’ve had in years.

Passatempo Taverna  – Specializing in pasta made by hand, Passatempo Taverna is a casual, laid back spot that has some of the most delicious rustic Italian cuisine and craft cocktails in the Walla Walla Valley. Belly up to the bar and enjoy a glass of local wine or craft cocktail before you dive into a plate of their divine pasta.

Graze  – Serving simple and deliciously fresh food, this is the perfect lunch spot. I enjoyed a salad and house-cured Turkey Panini before we hit the road home. SO GOOD.

 

I hope you enjoyed your Guide to Walla Walla Washington Wineries and Walla Walla Wine Country Hotels! If you’re looking for more wine adventures, check out my Local’s Guide to Oregon Wine Country!

XO,

M

Thank you to Walla Walla Valley Wine for sponsoring this post, as always all opinions and suggestions are my own. As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases as well as other affiliate links found in this post. Please see my Disclosure for more information. Your Guide to Walla Walla Wineries to Visit

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