The Best Washington Wineries Near Walla Walla

Though Napa Valley and even Oregon's Willamette Valley are likely more at the forefront of your mind regarding wine tasting destinations, Washington wineries have been steadily growing in popularity in recent years. Most of Washington's wine country is located in the eastern portion of the state, though some Washington wineries are scattered throughout the western side, too.

In eastern Washington, however, you'll find more than 240 Washington wineries spread throughout 8 unique AVA's: Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Yakima Valley, Red Mountain, Rattlesnake Hills, Horse Heaven Hills, Snipes Mountain, and Naches Heights. Washington's wine country is considered one of the most exciting developing wine regions in the country, with a charming, laid-back atmosphere that can't be beaten. 

On the far eastern edge of Washington, and even dipping ever so slightly south into Oregon, you'll find the Walla Walla wine region. Walla Walla has long played a significant role in Washington's agricultural legacy and is now leading the wine industry. In fact, in 2020, the Walla Walla Valley was named the Best Wine Region in the country.

Beyond just being a great wine-tasting destination, Walla Walla is also a historically charming small town worth exploring. It's about 3.5 hours from both Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR., making it an accessible getaway destination, too.

While visiting Washington Wine country, enjoy an unparalleled getaway at our Select Registry member property near Walla Walla. As with all Select Registry branded properties, you'll find uncompromising authenticity, comfortable accommodations, a broad range of amenities, high standards for cleanliness, and an unbeatable dedication to hospitality.  

10 Spectacular Washington Wineries

The Walla Walla Valley AVA, a relatively young wine-growing region, is best known for its bold red wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot. The warm, arid temperatures here were once used to grow fields of golden wheat and apple orchards as far as the eye can see. Today, the environment is perfectly suited to wine grapes. 

The Walla Walla Valley is home to 120 Washington wineries; each spread out amongst 6 distinct regions around the city. Though the red wines from the Walla Walla Valley are spectacular, Washington wineries in the area produce a broad range of wines, both red and white. It makes for a truly distinct and delicious wine-tasting experience. 

With more than 100 great Washington wineries to choose from, in just this one AVA, planning a wine-tasting adventure can be a little daunting.  To help you narrow it down, we've compiled a list of 10 of the best Washington wineries in the Walla Walla Valley for you to start with:

1. Northstar Winery is one of the best Washington wineries around when it comes to merlot. In fact, their Merlot ranks among the world's best! If you love deep, full-bodied reds, you won't want to miss this stop. 
2. You can't go wrong with a tasting at Leonetti Cellars, the first commercial winery in the Walla Walla Valley. 
3. Woodward Canyon is considered another of the founding wineries of the Walla Walla Valley and produces exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. 
4. L’Ecole No. 41 is a well-known name amongst Washington wineries, and for a good reason.  They produce consistently excellent wines, and the tasting experience in their 1915 schoolhouse compliments the wine perfectly. 
5. Pepper Bridge Winery is nothing if not elegant, a quality perfectly reflected in their prestigious collection of wines. 
6. The owners of Spring Valley Vineyards have deep farming ties to this land and have now moved into the growing wine industry. They've done it with style, too, producing some of the best wines in the valley. 
7. Mark Ryan Winery sources grapes from some of the most sought-after vineyards to produce a delightful range of single-origin varietals. 
8. If you love Bordeaux-style reds, don't miss the tasting experience at Browne Family Vineyards!
9. 7 incredible winemakers have come together to produce the wines at Long Shadow's Vintners. The result has been some of the most prestigious wines in the state.
10. Walla Walla Vintners is another well-established winery in the area, having been around since 1995. Their historic estate is a great place to learn about the history of wine in the valley and sample their estate wines. 
11. At Gramercy Cellars, you'll find a delicious range of wines that perfectly reflect the terroir they are grown in. There's no doubt they are from Washington, and they are absolutely delicious.
12. aMaurice Cellars perfectly combines stunning mountain views with exquisite wines for a tasting experience you won't forget. 
13. Dunham Cellars is a great place for even the newest wine lovers to go tasting, as they have something for just about every palate. 
14. As great as the wines are at Sleight of Hand Cellars, they are made better by the stunning label art found on the bottles.  Enjoy the entire experience at this unique winery!
15. Seven Hills Winery, another one of the founding Washington wineries in the Walla Walla Valley, is not to be missed. Their working winemaking facility in historic downtown is just as wonderful as the wines you'll taste!

More Things To Do in Walla Walla

Though wine tasting at any of these incredible Washington wineries should be at the top of your itinerary, there's a lot more to love about Walla Walla.  If you're looking for more activities to round out your getaway, here are some of our favorite things to do in the Walla Walla area: 

1. Though it's a bit of a drive, visiting Palouse Falls State Park, pictured above, is absolutely worth it. 
2. Learn more about the area's history at Whitman Mission National Historic Site.
3. Dine out at some of Washingon Wine Country's top restaurants. There are plenty of great Walla Walla restaurants to choose from, including The Vine Fine Dining at Cameo Heights Mansion. 
4. History buffs won't want to miss the Fort Walla Walla Museum.
5. Tee up a round of golf at the top courses in the Walla Walla area. 
6. Enjoy a beautiful hot air balloon ride over beautiful Washington wineries and vineyards below.
7. Visit the Walla Walla Foundry, an incredible art experience. Many of the art pieces that start here are eventually displayed at top galleries and museums around the country.  
8. Enjoy a bit of hiking in the nearby Blue Mountains or one of the many nature preserves along the Columbia River, such as the McNary Wildlife Refuge. 
9. Browse the shops of Walla Walla's historic downtown. 
10. Relax and unwind at our Select Registry Bed and Breakfast in the area, where you'll be treated to unparalleled luxury. 

Whenever you visit Walla Walla, know you'll have a wonderful time. That's especially true if you couple it with a stay at our Select Registry Bed and Breakfast, featured below. 

Walla Walla Bed and Breakfast

Cameo Heights Mansion

Cameo Heights Mansion is a luxury destination Walla Walla Hotel with bed and breakfast style amenities in the wine country of Walla Walla, Washington.

Perched on a scenic orchard setting by a river, it features seven spacious suites with private baths, air-jetted tubs, gas fireplaces, sumptuous fine dining, hiking in the adjacent orchard/vineyard, and an outside swimming pool/hot tub/fire pit.

The common areas include a living room, a hospitality area with bottomless snacks, ping pong, games, and a theatre room. Star-gazing from the hot tub, swimming or sun tanning in the desert heat, roasting s’mores, tetherball, horseshoes, hiking, and veranda dining at sunset are just some of the assorted pleasures of The Mansion.

In eleven years of operation, we have won several regional, national, and even international awards.  TripAdvisor awarded us their prestigious "Traveler's Choice of 25 Top B&Bs and Inns in the U.S." in 2013, and BedandBreakfast.com named us Top 10 Romantic Inn in the US in 2011 and Top 10 Most Romantic in the World in 2014!  Come and visit us this year, and you tell us where we stand as your favorite getaway.

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