WALLA WALLA VALLEY: TOP TASTING ROOMS TO VISIT
AIRPORT DISTRICT TASTING ROOMS
Various locations, Walla Walla, WA 99362
On land that was once an airfield during World War II, the Airport District is now home not only to the Walla Walla Regional Airport but also a collection of wineries, breweries and distilleries operating out of renovated hangars, mess halls and garages. It also houses the Port of Walla Walla Regional Airport Wine Incubator Program, which helps start-up wine brands launch their businesses affordably. Current micro-winery incubator tasting rooms include: The Ink by Eternal Wines & Drink Washington State (eternalwine.com; drinkwashington.wine), the 100% roséfocused Smak Wines (smakwines.com),
Golden Ridge Cellars (goldenridgecellars. com), Hoquetus Wine Co (hoquetuswine. com) and Itä Wines (itawinery.com).
Opening times vary: check each trader’s website, and see wallawalla.org.
ECHOLANDS WINERY
7 West Alder, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Doug Frost, a Master of Wine and Master Sommelier, started this project in 2018 with friend Brad Bergman and brought on Taylor Oswald as winemaker. Their vineyards and winery are actually across the state border in Oregon, on the southern border of the Walla Walla Valley AVA, but this venue in downtown Walla Walla is their tasting room. Echolands sources fruit from sites within the AVA that produce ageworthy wines, such as Les Collines, Blue Mountain and Seven Hills. Varieties include Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Production is very limited, with only a few wines to try in the tasting room and some available only to wine club members. The tasting experience
Prospice Wines is educational yet relaxed. Open ThursdayMonday, 11am-5pm. echolandswinery.com
GROSGRAIN VINEYARDS
2158 Half Acre Lane, Walla Walla, WA 99362 This modern, artistic winery and tasting room (pictured, p40) has a southwestern bohemian vibe. Co-owner and fashion designer Kelly Austin’s keen eye is evident in everything from the winery’s furnishings and art to the colourful, textural and eclectic wine labels. The wines themselves are just as individual: don’t expect big toasty reds or your usual Syrah and Bordeaux varieties. At Grosgrain, visitors will find a diverse collection of site-specific wines and rare offerings such as a crisp Albariño or a Lemberger Pét-Nat. Tasting appointments recommended, but walk-ins accommodated if available. Open Thursday-Monday, 10am-5pm. grosgrainvineyards.com
PROSPICE WINES
145 E Curtis Avenue, Walla Walla, WA 99362 Prospice (‘look forward’ in Latin) was founded in 2017 by Matt Reilly and Jay Krutulis from a shared desire to produce expressive wines from quality Washington fruit. The boutique winery has already found acclaim, particularly for its Resurgent Vineyard Syrah from an elevated site near The Rocks District. To date, the winery’s focus has been on Rhône varieties, including working with a local viticulturist and grower to find the right sites for Grenache in Walla Walla Valley. It also makes several wines from Bordeaux blends from top vineyards in the AVA. Reservations are required for the 60- to 75-minute tasting experiences, which include six wines. Open Friday-Sunday, 11am-6pm (5pm on Sunday).
ROTIE CELLARS
84328 Trumbull Lane, Milton-Freewater, OR 97862
Founded in 2006, Rotie Cellars – named after owner-winemaker (and former geologist) Sean Boyd’s favourite northern Rhône region – was one of the first wineries in The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater to plant Rhône varieties. This sub-AVA, on the Oregon side of the border, is the only one in the US defined by its soil type: well-draining, gravelly, rocky soils that serve as heat conductors for the vines and contribute to lower yields and intense, floral wines. Boyd aims to make ‘traditional Rhône blends with Washington State fruit’ (although those with The Rocks designation are from Oregon). They all have moderate alcohols and see very little or no new oak. Tastings at the Rotie Rocks Estate tasting room. Open daily, sessions (by appointment only) at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm. rotiecellars.com