Sip, see, and do as the winemakers do.
From October 1 to December 19, join the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance in their Wander Walla Walla 2021 challenge. Travel to Walla Walla this fall with an insider’s guide to the Valley’s best kept secrets and celebrated favorites. Explore the valley as the winemakers do through custom itineraries created by Walla Walla Valley winemakers, available Thursday – Sunday from October 1 through December 19, 2021.
To participate, select and download the itinerary of your choice from their website here. Then, pick a weekend to visit this fall, and let the winemaker’s recommendations be your guide. As a Wanderer, you receive access to the full itinerary. Additionally, check-in at the host winery and receive a pin to let others know you are wandering! Registration is free, and the itinerary is a pay-as-you-go experience. What are some of the featured itineraries? Get a snapshot below.
1. Outdoor Walla Walla Day Date
The Walla Walla Valley is home to world-class wine, along with an abundance of gorgeous views. Wander around the region while taking in the great outdoors and some truly amazing wines with this itinerary created by Josh McDaniels, CEO & Director of Winemaking for Bledsoe Family Wine Estates. Wineries included on this itinerary: ALUVE, Bledsoe Family Winery, FIGGINS, and Gramercy Cellars.
2. Local Food & Wine Adventure
Food and wine are a natural pair, and both are at the core of the Walla Walla Valley. As you tour around our wine region, enjoy wonderful wines and amazing meals, and discover pairing recommendations to try at home with this itinerary created by Michael Rasch, Owner & Winemaker of Golden Ridge Cellars. Wineries included on this itinerary: Golden Ridge Cellars, SMAK Wines, Barons Winery, DILLON, and Smoky Rose Cellars.
3. What’s New in Walla Walla?
There’s always something new to experience in the Walla Walla Valley! Follow this itinerary curated by Matt Austin, Owner & Winemaker of Grosgrain Vineyards, on a tour of some of the most recent additions to Walla Walla and discover your new favorites along the way – most of these recommended stops have opened within the last couple of years! Wineries included on this itinerary: Rotie Cellars, DILLON, Grosgrain Vineyards, Ita wines, Hoquetus Wine Co., and Prospice Wines.
4. Eclectic Choose-Your-Own Walla Walla Adventure
Some of the best experiences the Walla Walla Valley has to offer come in the form of collecting – bottles of wine, ingredients for a good meal and one-of-a-kind experiences. Spend a day wandering through the Walla Walla Valley, indulging in local favorites along the way with this itinerary from Kelsey Albro Itämeri of itä wines. Wineries included on this itinerary: Foundry Vineyards, The Walls Vineyards, itä wines, SMAK Wines, Hoquetus Wine Company, Vital Wines, and Kontos Cellars.
5. Old School Walla Walla
The Walla Walla Valley has a rich history. Whether it’s the history of the town itself, the winemaking community or personal experiences over the years, this itinerary created by Serge Laville, Winemaker, and Kate Derby Raymond, Assistant Winemaker at Spring Valley Vineyard will immerse you in the Old School Walla Walla. Wineries included in this itinerary: Spring Valley Vineyard, Woodward Canyon Winery, L’Ecole N 41, and Northstar.
6. A Tasting & Tunes Journey
There’s nothing quite like enjoying a glass of wine and good music. Many Walla Walla Valley winemakers share a love of music and wine, making it a great place to pair the two. Take this tour of the Walla Walla Valley wine and music scene, curated by Steve Wells, Owner & Winemaker of Time & Direction Wines. Wineries included in this itinerary: Time & Direction Wines, Sleight of Hand Cellars, KINHAVEN Winery, Hoquetus Wine Company, Prospice Wines, Armstrong Family Winery, and Kontos Cellars.
7. Low-Key & Local
Live like the locals do for a day in Walla Walla with these recommendations from Chris Loeliger, Owner & Winemaker of TruthTeller Winery! Food trucks, parks and of course wine tasting are weekend essentials for Walla Wallans, and this day will satisfy those looking for a low-key weekend in wine country. Wineries included in this itinerary: Lagana Cellars, TruthTeller Winery, Ducleaux Cellars, Smoky Rose Cellars, Armstrong Family Winery, and Time & Direction Wines.
8. Closer to the Vines Wine Tour
Nothing says wine country getaway like a day tasting among the vines. Explore the Southside, Oregon, and Eastside Wine Districts of the Walla Walla Valley, where estate vineyards and gorgeous views are abundant, with this itinerary from George-Anne Robertson, Winemaker for Yellowhawk Sparkling House. Wineries included in this itinerary: Rotie Cellars, Yellowhawk Resort, Walla Walla Vintners, ALUVE, College Cellars of Walla Walla, and Tranche.
Explore and download the full Wander Walla Walla Valley Wine itineraries for recommendations on dining, shopping, and exploring the Walla Walla Valley at www.wallawallawine.com/wander.