Walla Walla and Red Mountain, revered appellations in the world of winemaking, boast a collection of tasting rooms that invite connoisseurs and novices alike into an immersive journey of palate-pleasing discoveries.
Sunset at Red Mountain.
Fantastic winery tasting rooms await, for you to indulge in a variety of flavors and experiences. Below are some of our favourite wine tasting rooms that represent the essence of Washington’s winemaking prowess in two of the state’s most renowned wine destinations.
From the intimate charm of Walla Walla to the rugged beauty of Red Mountain, every glass is a celebration of terroir, innovation, and the vibrant spirit of the Pacific Northwest.
40 years. While 4 decades may seem like a long time to most people, for a wine region it’s a relatively short amount of time to establish itself. But Walla Walla has done just that, growing from one commercial winery to 120, winning wine critics and wine lovers along the way for producing consistently excellent wines. Its diversity across all aspects of its terroir including soils, elevation, and climate, means a diverse range of grape varieties can not only be grown there, but be grown well. For Walla Walla, turning 40 isn’t just something to celebrate, it’s a sign of great things to come. Click the link below for highlight from our most recent trip there that includes stops at Avennia, Caprio Cellars, Force Majeure, Yellowhawk, Brook & Bull, Spring Valley Vineyard, & Hedges Family Estate. Other wineries we’ve visited and would highly recommend include: Leonetti, L’Ecole No. 41, & Woodward Canyon
A recent discovery for us was Yellowhawk Resort & Sparkling Winery located in Walla Walla in southeastern Washington State. We had a terrific visit on their beautiful property and loved hearing their fascinating story.
Yellowhawk was brought into existence by the creativity and drive of chef and hospitality business owner Dan Thiessen. Dan got his initial training at the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park (NYC), graduating in 1992. After stints in Switzerland and Aspen Colorado, he returned to his roots in the Pacific Northwest and took a job as executive chef at the restaurant in the Space Needle, Seattle’s highest volume restaurant. That’s when fate intervened in the form of a telephone call from a successful entrepreneur who had sold his cell phone business and was creating some new restaurants.
Some people are born into the world of wine, some people are drawn to it later in life, and in Ashley Trout’s case, some are simply destined for it. Ashley established her two brands Brook & Bull Cellars and Vital Wines in 2016, 10 years after founding her first winery. The former is staking its place among Washington’s elite, and the latter is a non-profit winery in which 100% of its proceeds are donated toward improving access to healthcare for local vineyard workers.
Washington State is home to some of our favourite wines anywhere in the world. It remains shockingly under the radar given the level of quality it produces year after year. For close to a decade, Washington wines have averaged the highest percentage of 90+ point rated wines versus every major wine producing region in the world. While we have several tried and true favourites that we regularly visit, our most recent trip south uncovered a genuine hidden treasure. Caprio Cellars is a winery not only crafting excellent wines, but they’re also using their exceptional hospitality to elevate the wine and food experience, all while helping to transform lives.
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