I’ll be visiting Walla Walla in early September and am mostly interested in visiting/tasting Syrah foscused wineries.
Which ones would be at the top of your list?
Thanks
Don Appleton
You won’t have any problems finding Syrah-focused wineries! Rasa, Kontos, Trust, Kerloo, Rotie, Sleight of Hand are top of mind for me…
Have you ever been? There’s a bunch of wineries with storefronts downtown, and then many in the surrounding countryside and a large cluster near the airport (“the WW wine ghetto”). Ask around once you get your feet on the ground, but definitely check out something at all those spots.
Oh, and make reservations at Saffron and Brasseries Four. There are not a ton of places to eat, but folks repeatedly told us these were the two to hit. We were not let down.
Also, as you might expect, this topic has been hit a number of times on this board, so do a search, too! Have fun. I’m jealous.
Rulo.
Maison Bleue has recently opened a tasting room in downtown and would be worth a visit as well.
Make tasting appointments at Rasa and Reynvaan if you don’t flinch at a $50 price point for Syrah.
PS: also had a nice meal at Saffron.
Gramercy is highly recommended. Also try Amavi if you’re out near Sleight of Hand. I like a’Maurice alot- it’s mostly Rhone based blends, and is in a really cool spot.
The K Vintners spot outside of town is a cool spot as well.
Here’s my list (and I’d suggest doing a search for other threads on this topic):
Gramercy Cellars
Kerloo Cellars
Rotie Cellars
Maison Bleue
Sleight of Hand
Reynvaan (If you can make an appt. Their list is closed now, so it isn’t likely)
Amavi
Abeja (appt. needed)
For food, Saffron and T’Maccarrone’s are our favorite stops.
More votes for Gramercy, Sleight of Hand, Rotie, Kerloo, Rasa, and a’Maurice. Depending on what day of the week you go Gramercy and Rasa will require appointments.
Here is my list, probably more than you want…
Attractions:
• Monteillet Fromagerie http://www.monteilletcheese.com/
• Walla Walla Sweets Roller Girls http://www.wallawallasweetsrollergirls.com/
• Also the town of Walla Walla is cool to walk around in (antique shops, history, etc) and if the Farmer’s Market is open go.
• Palouse Falls – Beautiful worth the 1.25 hour plus drive http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Palouse%20Falls
Places to stay:
• Abeja (this is a winery but has cottages that are romantic, etc. very cool worth the stay Abeja)
• Rent a house…there are a ton online that are great beauties both small & big. www.vrbo.com
• Marcus Whitman Hotel…cool old hotel, stay in the original part since it has more charm
• Holiday Inn Express – if you need economy, this ain’t bad.
Places to eat (Nice/$$$)
• Saffron …without a doubt eat here but get reservations early before you go. saffronmediterraneankitchen.com/
• Whitehouse Crawford - www.whitehousecrawford.com
• Brasserie Four
• T. Maccarones
• Olive – Good breakfast but kinda slow service.
• The Marc
• Bacon & Eggs – GREAT breakfast place especially their eggs benny.
Quick places to eat …
• Pho Sho - owned by the folks at Saffron, highly recommend…hella good. www.phoshowallawalla.com/
• AK’s - food truck, awesome food truck.
• Iceberg Drive-in – Burgers and shakes
Wineries
Couple of tips…
• There is a cool place to get olives, crackers, cheese, cured meats, etc. called Salumiere Cesario.
• You will see the Cayuse storefront, it is never open.
On the way in to Walla Walla
• L’ecole #41 - One of the oldest wineries in the state.
• Woodward Canyon – Very ageable Cabernets and one of the original Walla wineries
• Bunchgrass Winery – The winery is out in a field but crafts great tannic wines.
• Long Shadows - Allen Shoup’s projects where he brings in world-famous wine makers to produce world-class wine with Washington fruit
In Walla Walla
• Rotie Cellars - One of the only lists/clubs I subscribe to. Great Rhone wines
• Gramercy Cellars - Gramercy has received a lot of fame which it deserves. Wines typically higher acid but incredible.
• K Vinters -
• Trust Cellars – Steve is cool and makes good wine, especially Syrah.
• Kerloo Cellars
• Mark Ryan - Originally from Woodinville, still one of my favorites especially Long Haul and Dead Horse which are Bordeaux blends. Lost Soul is a great Syrah
West Walla Walla
• K Vinters - original tasting room, more intimate.
• àMaurice Cellars - Anna makes great wines and usually reasonably priced in a beautiful location.
• Abeja – If you are not staying here you need to call a couple of weeks ahead to see if you can make an appt to taste.
Airport
• Five Star Cellars – big rich cabs, merlot, syrah
• Buty – pronounced beauty not booty. Redivina…yum.
• Dunham - Eric produces some outstanding cabs and syrahs.
South Walla Walla (My favorite area to go because it is out in country)
• Amavi - Great priced wines Cabs & Syrah.
• Sleight of Hand - This is my friend Trey Busch’s winery. He is a fantastic producer and has great wines across the board as well as being an all-around nice guy.
• Saviah Cellars - Rich is a nice guy and makes good wines.
• Waters Winery - Beautiful trendy winery with great old-world style syrahs. Just had a 2006 Forgotten Hills the other night that was fantastic.
• Pepperbridge - Awesome Cabs and Merlot.
• Reynvaan - Amazing Syrahs, you have to call ahead to see if they will let you visit. Christophe Baron of Cayuse consults for this winery (and this one only).
• Rasa Vineyards – These guys are hot right now, their Mourvedre and the QED is off the hook.
• Rulo – Great value producer
Thanks for taking time to make all these great suggestions. Now I’m even more excited to visit Walla Walla!
Don Appleton
My wife and I are going in October so I am tagging this for reference. We already have appointments at Rasa and Gramercy. Rotie, Spring Valley, Waters, Saviah, SoH, Maison Bleue are on the list. I have emailed with Kendall of Lawrelin about a tasting and I think that will work out too.
No problem Don. I hope you have a great trip to our state. Let me know if you have any other questions.