Walla Walla Wine Country

Walla Walla Washington wine.

When it comes to alliteration – this is it.

And when it comes to wine – this is it.

While Washington has several prevalent areas of discerning wine production including; Red Mountain, Yakima Valley, Prosser, and lots on the west side…Walla Walla continues to supply some of my favorite nectars and tasting rooms that each tell their sublime story. In no particular order, Here are my top picks.

1. Woodward Canyon
2. The Walls Vineyards
3. Revelry Vintners
4. Longshadow Vintners
5. Brook&Bull Cellars
6. Masion Bleue
7. Northstar
8. Ardor Cellars (No longer in biz) – Let’s go with El Corazon
9. a’Maurice Cellars
10. Basel Cellars

This list, of course, is not all inclusive. There are more than 25 tasting rooms in downtown alone (and there are 5 other neighboring districts of primo vino supply).

Let’s get started shall we? What inspires better than wine? What intensifies food? What enhances conversation (not to mention dance moves)? And who knew the blossoming valley of southeastern Washington was the next Napa? Yea I said it. Come at me.

You don’t have to be Californian to know good wine.

No longer considered an underdog, the Walla Walla Valley advertises some of the best terroir, climate and diverse grape growing regions in America.

1. As you drive in from the west on highway 12 your first stop in the westside wine district is Woodward Canyon. And what a way to kick it off. The tasting room is tiny yet airy, but that’s not why you’re there.

The wines parallel some of the best of new world Cali. Velvety, juicy, flavor forward. Don’t leave without their Old Vines Artist Series Cabernet and probably a case of their pizza wine (non-vintage red). It’s 25$/bottle and the perfect Tuesday accompaniment. Say hi to Steve for me. !P!

2. So I love a good play on words, right? Can you guess what “The Walls” Vineyard has to do with this? If you know anything about Walla Walla, you may have heard that it is home to a little place called the Washington State Penitentiary. “The Walls” (as a name) began as a play on those very concrete barricades. And interestingly, they like to make wine in concrete barrels. Yep. That’s just witty if you ask me. Additionally, not only have they won accolades surmounting others in red blends but they were also named “coolest wine label” by Washington State Magazine.

If I were you I would buy the “Wonderful Nightmare” Tempranillo and The “Cruel Summer” Rose. But try them all. All of them. Each and every single one.

3. Revelry Vintners are Refined. Modern. Moderately expensive. Worth it. These guys are all about ideal grape growing topography and crafting long lasting, elegant wine.

Try the Aerials Series Block 18 and Block 19 Syrah and decide for yourself. If you’re my husband, you just silently hope it’s not a tie. And don’t forget about good ole’ Cab Franc. He might be old, but by George is he scrumptious. !P!

4. A few months before you plan your trip, pick up the phone and reserve yourself a private tasting at Longshadows. This is an entirely different beast. Here, they pour wine from 7 highly acclaimed, global wine makers, sourcing their grapes only from Washington and making wine only in Walla Walla. What you get is an experience tasting a multitude of wine making styles.

The “Saggi” is a blend of Cab Sauv, Syrah and Sangiovese which means “wisdom”. It would be “wise” of you to take some home.

5. Slightly off the beaten path in the south side winery district resides a new member of the brigade – Brook and Bull Cellars. Although the winery is new, it’s winemaker Ashley Trout is anything but new to winemaking (in fact it’s her third winery). Oh, and she’s not even 40. No big deal. Um. Right. HUGE deal.

And her wines are crazy good. Did I mention she makes a 100% Petit Verdot? Well slap my neck and call me Sally, I love that stuff. Her “Deviant” is a Cab Franc dominant Malbec recessive blend that I still haven’t had the nerve to open since I got home…cause I only bought one. SO FOOLISH! !P!

6. One of the main reasons I like staying in downtown Walla Walla is simply because Maison Bleue is there. Since they consider themselves purveyors of Syrah, I found that reason enough to try (and try again). One wine just surpassed the next. And with each taste I found myself wondering how I could convince the Cuban to take all of them home.

We visited three times that weekend. I think we may have overstayed our welcome.

7. I don’t usually discriminate when it comes to wine but there are a few varietals I tend to lean towards. Petit Verdot is one of those. Though it’s somewhat rare to find a 100% (let alone an aged one). Northstar Cellars channeled my brain and knew I needed this and back in 2010 when they made a 100% Petit Verdot! Like it was just for me. It’s (insert whatever !#*!(@) word you’d like. Oh and did I mention the price is only $40? Can’t beat it.

8. Ardor Cellars leaves a somber place in my heart. They were the first winery we became ‘members’ with. I can still remember walking into the art gallery/tasting room with no one there except Brandon (an exceptional guy and resident wine maker). He welcomed us in and began pouring. Syrahs cascaded our glasses from the Wahluke Slope, or the Stoney Vine Vineyard, and 100% Mourvedre glided swimmingly down our gustatory canal. The guy was a genius. As he filled our chalices fuller and fuller with some of the best wine I can remember having, I knew this is what I had been seeking.

I’m talking about the guy like he’s dead. He’s not! He moved onto to his other passion in life, selling barrels? I think. Whatever it is, it has left an empty spot in my heart and on my palate. #he’snotdead

Funny thing – While in town for my birthday I noticed that Ardor was “going out of biz”. We left our lunch at WW Bread Co. (go there it’s fab) just to find Brandon packing the last of his bottles. It was the last day they were open. Oh the sweet irony. We bought 2 cases of anything left over and asked for his top tasting room recs…El Corazon was at the top of his list. And now it’s #8.1 on mine.

8.1 El Corazon is by all attractive standards a hole in the wall. But this joint is a showboat of amusement. Think 1930’s provocative films thrown up on the wall coupled with modern decor that emphasizes a cool mortality vibe and then punches you in the face with some ultra seductive wine. !P!

My Favs: “Duct Tape” it’s a GSM* – yum. Also, there is duct tape on the bottle, so that’s neat. The 2011 Viognier is a crisp and intense white. And although not announced – Spencer (the very hospitable winemaker) has been kind enough to swing me a bottle of his prized Mourvedre. 🙂

9. The Open Plate Anthropology is a blog I began writing for my love of food and wine. The acronym OPA comes from the name for which I called my wonderful german grandfather. My Opa’s ‘spirit’ animal (if you will) was owls. He had over 300 trinkets, paintings, or other various artworks devoted to the owl in his home at the time of his death. Now, in daily life I believe seeing/hearing the owl is his way of checking in on me.

At àMaurice Cellars the first bottle we were presented with was the Estate Red Blend “Night Owl”. It’s an absolute work of art. The Estate Cabernet “Owl and Crown” is decadent and dry – my hubs favorite. The tasting room has expansive views of vines and fields of lavender in the summer.

10. Ok sorry to have gotten all sappy on you. Do you like Syrah? Of course you do, who am I talking to? And if you don’t, allow me to change your mind. Head over to the very impressive Basel Cellars Estate Winery. They do Bordeaux-style blends well, but leave it all on the table and feast your eye (and taste buds) on the Syrah. Just tell ’em I sent you. You are most welcome.

Other noteable mentions include:

• Dunham Cellars – Who throw a lovely holiday barrel tasting party the first weekend in December (catch me there on my b-day!) – Also check out the wine bottle xmas tree.
• Walla Walla Vintners – Who do a mean take on Sangiovese. They are perched on a small hill across from a’Maurice. !P!
• Reininger Winery – Along with their sister brand Helix Wine have some delicious varietals and a satellite tasting room in Spokane (Holla!) !P!
• House of Smith/K Vintners – Pop rock garage grunge meets the biggest wine tasting this side of the Mississip. Wine maker Charles Smith has spawned a cornerstone in the Washington wine market. At Charles & Charles tasting room you have the option to taste some economically friendly bottles (kung fu girl, boom boom syrah) or branch out to try his ‘Wines of Substance’ which include other namely and affluent brands such as K Vintners, SIXTO and (my personal favorite, in collaboration) B. Leighton. !P!
• Leonetti Cellar – The only reason this one is not in my top 10 picks is because it’s not open to the public. I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Leonetti (I.E. Gary Figgins) because of a few crazy cats I know from Florida. We had a personal tour of the winery, old tasting room and cellar along with a divine 2008 Cabernet (of which I’m sure I can’t afford). And let me tell you about this cellar — Think about where you wanna be when the world implodes. It’s his cellar. Not only massive and containing some indescribably exquisite wines, but it’s built in the style of a viniculture bomb shelter. All I need is a corkscrew (and an invite) and I’m set. (PS. Leonetti is the name of Gary’s grandmother).

Any wineries I have listed above with a !P! symbol simply means they are pet friendly!

Ok – more favs…

TruthTeller Winery has some notably delicious and easy to drink varietals, not to mention, relatively easy to find throughout the US. Fancy some great Cab? Try “The Confidante” Reserve Cab which won a multitude of awards including savor NW double gold. Or “The Miscreant Project” Blends which are affordable and scrumptious.

Looking for something a bit unexpected and unpretentious? Check out Eleganté Cellars. Doug, the winemaker will likely greet you and passionately converse about his love affair with wine. His Cabs are exceptional. He also has a little pad for RV’rs to plop down and hang out for the night. !P!

I could go on. And I will, but for the sake of research, I will have to go back yet again to properly inform you;). In the meantime, have you been to WW? What are your favs?

Looking for some great recipes to try with wine? I got you:

• Humboldt Fog and Pear Risotto with Chardonnay Chicken
• Party Wings with Strawberry Viognier Glaze
• Steak Sandwiches with Zinfandel Mushrooms and Onion Compote
• Eggplant Parmesan with Tarragon, Black Garlic and Cabernet