Exploring Our Own Backyard - Walla Walla WA
“It's in those quiet little towns, at the edge of the world, that you will find the salt of the earth people who make you feel right at home.”
Aaron Lauritsen
“Summer slipped out from underneath me. I don’t think it even happened? But if that were the case, maybe my Dad would still be here…”, I muttered to a friend last month, after a full week of virtual school for the girls and realizing our adventure-less summer was behind us.
It had been just over a year since our beloved trip to Italy and my heart ached hard for travel. It ached hard for the summer we didn’t have. It ached hard because, in a blur, I had spent 4 months at my Dad’s bedside until he left his earthly body on September 3rd. My girls (15 and 9) had left imprints on the couch cushions, my husband had been working to the bone, and I had stretched myself between home, work and my parent’s. It felt like we were left with one big fat cruel summer.
I think we ALL feel it.
So when Portia sent me a brief text with a, “Hey friend! Want to explore Walla Walla for a weekend?”, I believe my response was a resounding “Hell Yes!” followed by a physical reaction of hysterical sobbing in relief. My favorite things were about to ensue: Road trip, wine tasting, girlfriend time, and laughter…. something I had not been practicing for quite some time. But, what was I going to pack? I’d been slummin’ it in leggings and oversized t-shirts for over 5 months. I know y’all feel me on this.
During these unpredictable times of Covid, Portia and I had discussed the hardship on the travel industry and how devastating it has been. We spend so much time coordinating and planning trips to other states or countries, we neglect to remember just how GORGEOUS our own state of Washington truly is. So it’s time to give some love to our local friends and businesses. Think of it like shopping local.
Located about 4.5 hours from Seattle, Walla Walla is situated in the lower SE portion of Washington State, hugging the WA/OR border. The quant, pedestrian friendly town is abundant with bakeries, cafés, boutiques, tasting rooms, and restaurants. Sidewalks are lined with well manicured trees and cars are parked nose to tail down every street with patrons making small talk outside buzzing eateries and shops.
Broken in to 5 regions (Southside/Oregon, Eastside, Downtown, Airport, Westside), Walla Walla has a vast amount of distinctive wineries and boasts with lush landscapes of grapevines and wheat fields as far as the eye can see.
Portia, Sarah, and I were fortunate enough to experience this charming community and are happy to report it is for sure on the “can’t wait to return” list.
The drive to Walla Walla renders picturesque views and is cause for serenading your road trip posse with Dixie Chick’s “Wide Open Spaces". We ventured in a 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser with 8 passenger leather seating, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, multi-terrain controls and “Crawl” control to help the navigate difficult ground.
I took a quick detour to test this out and it was an adrenaline filled adventure, which I’m confident is what Toyota intended when they dreamt up the Land Cruiser back in 1951.
As surprising as it seems, being that all three of us are Washington natives, it was our first time to the charming town of Walla Walla. We thoroughly enjoyed each and every place we visited. Business owners and staff were kind, knowledgeable and not without a fascinating story or tale to tell.
To help you navigate and simply plan YOUR visit to Walla Walla, I’m excited to share our accommodations, winery and dining experiences with you so you can easily copy and paste this trip for your own!
REMEMBER! During times of Covid, it’s important to ensure you make a reservation for your dining and wine tasting visits. Most locations are operating at only a 50% capacity, or may be taking their wine tasting experiences off property to accommodate the need for serving food in order to provide a tasting.
THE FINCH HOTEL // Downtown
Walla Walla’s newest hotel, on the edge of downtown, serving up 80 unique one of a kind guest rooms.
Covered fireplace plaza for socializing and kicking back at your leisure.
Featured artists are showcased throughout the hotel. From the chandeliers and light fixtures, to art infographics in guest rooms, and hand stamped installations on the bathroom walls.
Walking distance to down town’s shops, tasting rooms and restaurants.
The FINCH has curated guides to help you further plan your Walla Walla adventure. Ask their friendly front desk staff or check out this link for helpful insider trip tips!
FOUNDRY VINEYARDS // Downtown
Award-winning wines and focus on low intervention methods and small lot production.
Both Walla Walla and Seattle locations are a place for art, wine and design with quarterly art exhibits.
Foundry’s line of pétillant-natural sparkling wines, Pét Project, sources from organically farmed vineyards only.
Ample indoor and outdoor seating - great for socializing at a distance.
Enjoy light bites from Walla Walla Bread Co. while you sip!
DAMA WINES // Downtown
One of Washington State’s very few woman-owned wineries, Dama Wines, celebrates the strength and resilience of pioneering women. Showcasing beautiful works of art of powerhouse women on each label and within the tasting room walls.
Owner, Mary, has one of the most inspiring stories. Try and connect with her when you stop in for a tasting.
Sources fruit from some of Washington State’s best vineyards, from the Mill Creek district of Walla Walla to lower Rattlesnake Mountain.
A portion of the proceeds from the highly awarded Collage goes to the Walla Walla YWCA.
SMAK WINES // Airport Region
SMAK is a woman-owned, Rosé exclusive winery, newly opened in early 2020.
Focusing on the four seasons, owner Fiona Mak created a Rosé blend for each, with a bouquet that brings forward notes reminiscent of each time of the year.
Situated in the Airport region, within a group of budding wineries.
Tasting room is elegant and chic in style and atmosphere. Great for a girlfriend’s tasting date!
Fall/Winter Syrah Rosé is a favorite.
VA PIANO VINEYARDS // Southside
“Chi Va Piano, Va Sano e Va Lontano - This Italian proverb, from which we take our name, means when you go slowly, you go safely and you go far. At Va Piano, we’re all about slowing down and enjoying the best of life: family, friends, shared stories and laughter, good food and of course, great wine.”
Va Piano creates elegant wines, focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
Scenic landscape of grapevines and farm lands surround.
Order a charcuterie board and enjoy your tasting by the fire pit.
3 locations: Va Piano Estate & Winery (Southwide), Bruno’s by Va Piano (Downtown Walla Walla), and Va Piano Old Mill District (Bend, Oregon)
Sweet and friendly Murphy the winery dog is a major plus!
AMAVI CELLARS // Southside
Perched above Pepper Bridge Vineyards, with cascading views of the Blue Mountains.
Managing Partner Ray Goff has a fascinating history from 30 years as an executive at Anheuser-Busch to the grapevines of Walla Walla and Pepper Bridge Winery, and eventually to sister winery, Amavi.
Amavi is leading the way for practicing sustainable agriculture. They are proud to be certified sustainable, as well as Salmon Safe.
The 2017 Syrah was a definite favorite and the 2017 Cab Sauv with a bouquet of black fruit, mocha and hints of fresh herbs.
Make sure to check out the cherry ‘53 Chevy Pickup that proudly shines next to rows and rows of grapevines! And say hello to Boot the winery dog!
WALLA WALLA STEAK CO. // Downtown
Named Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants 2019.
Locally owned and deeply-rooted hometown steak house featuring award-winning food, wine and beers served with warm and welcoming style.
Great for private events, with a Northern Pacific train car on site, renovated in to a classic dining room.
Part of the Fire & Vine Hospitality group, which also includes well loved restaurants Aerlume, El Gaucho, Aqua, and fellow Walla Walla high-end dining restaurant at Eritage Resort.
PINE CONE CREAMERY // Downtown
Dream business of couple Kory and Rachel Nagler, who are also owners of The Maple Counter, which has served breakfast to the Walla Walla masses since 2011.
Always made with natural ingredients, including milk sourced from Whatcom County cows, and a rainbow of earth’s color such as, turmeric, beet root, spirulina, and purple carrot, to name a few.
Pine Cone Creamery offers dairy-free alternatives made with oat milk, coconut milk, and all fresh fruit sorbet. 100% vegan friendly.
Cookies and brownies are made fresh in their own shop kitchen!
Try the Bourbon Caramel Pecan - no regrets.
WALLA WALLA BREAD CO. // Downtown
Clearly one of the most loved breakfast/lunch dining joints with a line far stretched down the sidewalk and eye popping pastries that will leave you drooling on the glass.
All artisan breads baked daily, with locally grown wheat, leavened with their own sourdough cultures, and made with European influence.
Can’t recommend the Maple Scone enough - you will thank me later.
We devoured the Breakfast Panini, Sourdough Pancakes with chocolate butter, strawberry compote and cacao nibs, and the Pain Perdu house-made French toast with powdered sugar, maple syrup and cinnamon schmear. With a side of espresso and fresh cold-pressed juices. Saved for later, we munched on scones and pastries.
ERITAGE RESORT // Southside
Eritage is a unique resort experience, which includes 20 luxury suites with expansive lakeside or mountain side views and feels like a world away!
Resting within 300 acres of wheat fields and grapevines.
Founded by owner and winemaker Justin Wylie of Va Piano.
Features a selection of fine Washington wines, beers, and spirits as well as others from around the world.
Part of the Fire & Vine Hospitality group (Walla Walla Steak Co.) and sources from local farmers and ranchers to create old-world dishes with a current flare, paired with seasonal offerings.
THE MAPLE COUNTER CAFE // Downtown
Owned by Kory and Rachel Nagler, who also own the newly opened Pine Cone Creamery. Other Nagler restaurants include // The Birch Door Cafe (Bellingham), The Oak Table Cafe (Silverdale), and The Oak Table Cafe (Sequim).
Family owned, made from scratch, ingredients sourced locally.
Recommendations: Northwestern - Wild Pacific smoked salmon eggs benedict, buttermilk pancakes, the Baja scramble, and splurge for the fresh berries and cream (you WILL NOT regret it).
Weekends are very busy, so prepare for a wait (they do not take reservations) or check out the JOIN WAITLIST button on Google when you do a search for their business. If no button appears, there is no wait!
HOT POOP RECORD STORE // Downtown
Shop classic vinyl records and CDs, memorabilia, music equipment and flash back to simpler times. 30 years and still kickin’ it, Hot Poop celebrates the music enthusiast and lover in all of us.
When my Dad was bed ridden, we often played music for him/us to lift his spirits. He enjoyed classical music and mom would request Carpenters... the brother-sister duo of the 70s-80s. I grew up listening to the Carpenters often. Their Christmas album being one of my favorites.
One afternoon when Dad wasn’t talking much and we could tell he wasn’t feeling good, mom asked Alexa to play the Carpenters on shuffle. “I won’t last a day without you” played softly. Mom crawled on to the bed next to Dad and gently rubbed his arm. He stared blankly above at the ceiling, but a tear slowly peered from his right eye and then another, and another. My brother Ed and I sat quietly and watched. The lyrics pierced all of us with sadness, but it also held such nostalgia, so we let it keep playing as mom and I wiped the tears from Dad’s cheeks.
When Portia, Sarah and I shopped in Walla Walla, Sarah asked me to snag a vinyl that maybe had some meaning or that I loved to shoot a couple pics with. I immediately knew I needed to find a Carpenters album, but there were so many albums in that store and it was challenging to sift thru. I casually placed my hand on a row of records and said “I don’t know how I’ll ever find it” as I pulled a stack forward. There, staring back at me was the Carpenters - The Singles 1969-1973... my favorite album. I literally froze in place for a moment. How? What? Ok, Dad.
You bet I purchased it.
Carve out some time to do a little strolling and shopping downtown. There are plenty of tasting rooms, dining, and cute and fashionable boutiques. The City of Walla Walla has done an impressive job with implementing cohesive outdoor dining spaces, bright and cheerful covered patios, and accommodating patron needs. Each business provides a pleasant experience while navigating health and safety demands.
SHOPPING
OTHER POPULAR DINING
SITES & FAMILY FRIENDLY
LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL STATE PARK
OTHER FAVORITE WINERIES + BREWERIES/CIDERIES/DISTILLERIES
When so much feels like it’s falling apart, sinking our feet, dragging our spirits, and like there’s nothing to look forward to, remember there is still a whole wide world outside your door ready for you to explore, and you don’t have to go far. Maybe we’ve had to pivot in unimaginable ways, but the ground beneath us is still waiting for our footsteps, the grapes are still plump on the vine, and our local communities still need our support.
Travel feels almost unattainable during these times, however, if you look closely, you will find plenty of beautiful opportunities to adventure and explore right in your own backyard.
Hosted by Visit Walla Walla // Courtesy vehicle provided by Toyota USA // Photography by Gray Mountain Photography