Your next wine country visit should be to Washington state

Situated in southeastern Washington, Walla Walla is a few hours' drive from Seattle and known for its agriculture and vino. The region is home to more than 120 wineries and offers a diverse variety of wines; however, it is best known and appreciated for its Syrah. 

While Walla Walla has fewer wineries than, say, Napa, esteemed for its Cabernet Sauvignon, or Oregon’s Willamette Valley, long recognized for its Pinot Noir, it has consistently been voted by industry professionals as a worthy wine destination. The folks at WineCountry.com voted Walla Walla among top wine regions to visit last year, and it topped USA Today’s 10Best Readers' Choice 2022 list of Best Wine Regions.

Winter is an excellent time to visit Walla Walla for its reasonable hotel rates and sparser crowds. The town home to several breweries and cideries as well. On Feb. 18, Walla Walla will hold its annual BrewFest to celebrate the best of Washington, Oregon and Idaho breweries. 

Also taking place in February is Restaurant Month, which spotlights the area's culinary offerings. There are plenty of discounts and prix-fixe dinners, curated wine experiences and lodging promotions. Just about an hour’s drive east is Bluewood ski area, where skiers and snowboarders can enjoy winter sports through a variety of terrain.

If you’re ready to plan a winter visit, here are top spots to eat, drink and stay:

Where to stay in Walla Walla

My husband and I recently got to explore the wine region on a two-day getaway, and we booked a stay at the Eritage Resort, within a 10-minute drive of downtown. (Rates start at $229 during the low season. During the high season, from May to Oct. 31, rates range from $299 to $569.) 

The resort is set among rolling fields and vineyards across 300 acres. The idyllic property has 20 luxury suites and bungalows that offer views of the vineyard or Blue Mountains in the distance. The team also makes their own wine, showcasing Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec with grapes grown on the property. The resort has also released a Cabernet Franc Rosé featuring a fruity blend of flavors with hints of strawberry, hibiscus and rose petals.

We checked into a private Lakeside Bungalow Suite, which had a fireplace and spacious bathroom, and overlooked Lake Sienna. (Dogs are allowed in four designated bungalow suites with a $50 pet fee per stay.) In front of the fireplace was a nicely appointed sitting area where we enjoyed coffee in the early morning as we gazed out the window, planning our adventure for the day. Our bungalow opened to a private deck in the back where we could sit and have a bite to eat. On more than one occasion, I sat outside and did some writing, enjoying the quiet warmth of the sun.

Our stay at the resort included a full breakfast, which starts at 8:30 a.m. Platters of pastries, big bowls of freshly cut fruit, and fresh coffee and tea are spread across a banquet table in the dining area. You’re welcome to sit anywhere, and servers come to take your order. A plate of eggs Benedict along with house brioche were excellent ways to start the day! It was a delicious and relaxed meal, with other guests piling in full of good cheer.

Walla Walla wineries

Our first stop was Yellowhawk resort and winery, which is dedicated to producing sparkling wines. Winemaker George-Anne Robertson led us through a tasting showcasing the unique flavors harvested in the Walla Walla Valley AVA; it has some of the most pronounced temperature shifts in the world, which help to ripen the grapes at a speedier rate and retain acidity in the process. 

The beautiful Yellowhawk resort sits on 84 acres on the town’s southern side, and its wines are esteemed for their rich flavors. The Bubbles/White was awarded Savor Northwest's Best of Class in the 2022 sparkling category while the Sparkling Chardonnay has received a Wine Enthusiast Editor’s Choice nod. My favorite was the Bubbles/Rosé, which contained notes of orange blossom citrus and wasn’t too high on alcohol content.

The resort features an elegant tasting room with outdoor seating, offering delicious farm-to-table dining with a robust lunch menu. Go for the wine, but don’t skip the food. It’s delicious! Onsite lodging is available along with use of a swimming pool and cabanas. 

The next stop on our list was SMAK Wines, which delights wine enthusiasts with a Rosé experience not to be missed. Committed solely to Rosé production, SMAK is a minority woman-owned company that believes Rosé is a year-round beverage. Owner and certified sommelier Fiona Mak has created a beautiful and inviting tasting room. Reservations for tastings can be made online and what I absolutely love about the brand besides the delicious wines are the labels, which are delicately hand illustrated by artist Margot Van Huijkelom.

Our last tasting took place at Walla Walla Vintners, a beautiful property that sits along Mill Creek Valley. Owners Scott and Nici Haladay acquired the estate shortly after their visit to the area in 2017, and focus on sustainability and stewardship in their winemaking process. The historic winery has been making wines since 1995.

Where to eat in Walla Walla

We made reservations for The Kitchen at Abeja well in advance because it’s a hugely popular dining experience on a 38-acre farm and winery. The restaurant offers elevated fine dining with unparalleled service. The menu is prix-fixe with either a five- or seven-course menu with optional wine pairings. (For February's Restaurant Month, a three-course dinner features your choice of seabass or wagyu steak.) There are seatings available for dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Set inside a cozy farmhouse, with executive chef Jake Crenshaw at the helm, be prepared to taste carefully selected meats from local farmers and ranchers, and fresh produce from the region. 

Dinner at Walla Walla Steak Co. was also a great choice because the restaurant is locally owned and works hard to provide local ingredients and produce whenever possible. The atmosphere is upbeat and casual. The restaurant serves a velvety cowboy rib-eye and while it’s known for beef, the seafood selections are excellent as well, namely the king salmon with vegetables.

What to do in Walla Walla

On our first day my husband and I visited Pioneer Park, which offers trails for hiking, a beautiful rose garden, plenty of benches and picnic tables, along with a playground for kids. The coolest part is the aviary, which has an assortment of birds and even several peacocks wandering around. 

On our second day, we took some time to explore downtown Walla Walla, where the Showroom on Colville takes center stage. Originally built in the 1930s for car sales, the building has been transformed into a shopping market that houses local mercantile goods, snacks, gifts and more. It’s also a great place to grab a coffee and people watch. 

The Walla Walla General Store is another great stop for some retail therapy. The store is stocked to the brim with both whimsical and practical home and kitchen items.