Location: Walla Walla
Top Things to do in Walla Walla
What to do and see in Walla Walla, Washington (WA): The Best Things to do Good for Couples
Wineries are beginning to rival the sweet-tasting Walla Walla onion as the hallmark of this lovely town at the foot of the Blue Mountains. In fact, the combination of excellent wineries and appealing scenery has put Walla Walla on the map as one of the country's hottest new wine-touring regions. The town's rich history, starting with the Indian tribes who first settled here followed by the early pioneers, the establishment and subsequent tragic demise of a famous mission and then a gold rush, is also a tourist draw. Fascinating museums and historic attractions bring this past to life. Music and the arts are a vital part of this culturally conscious college town, which boasts one of the oldest symphony orchestras west of the Mississippi, frequent summertime blues and jazz concerts, arts festivals and at least 15 art galleries. A revitalized downtown features restored 19th-century buildings, restaurants, galleries and wine-tasting rooms. If you're itching for outdoor fun, head east for hiking, mountain biking and fishing in the Blue Mountains or take the relatively easy Stateline Loop bike trail to Oregon and back.
Restaurants in Walla Walla
1. Walla Walla Vintners
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 97 reviews
Walla Walla Vintners has been making premium red wines since 1995. We're open Wednesday - Sunday 10am - 5pm and by appointment Monday and Tuesday.
Reviewed By lynette_cypress - Boise, United States
Thoroughly enjoyed our tasting experience. They had a table reserved for our small group, complete with blankets for each person (it was a chilly afternoon). I was impressed with their wines and Manager George-Anne was knowledgeable, fun and kept a great tempo for our tasting. The setting in the east hills is spectacular, surrounded by vineyards and lavender fields. We bought several bottles and some swag; I look forward to going back!
2. Isenhower Cellars
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15 reviews
Brett and Denise Isenhower are the owners and winemakers of Isenhower Cellars. Our winemaking is simple in concept yet complex in execution. We have long term contracts to purchase grapes by the acre from great sustainable vineyards in the Northwest. Key to our vineyard selection are farmers who we trust and have an excellent relationship with. All our grapes are hand picked and hand sorted to guarantee only perfect grapes enter the winery. We use traditional winemaking methods to craft the wines. These methods include punchdowns, foot stomping, saignée, native yeast fermentation, barrel stirring, and sur lie aging. The top tier reds are all free run wine and aged in the finest new and once used French oak barrels. The white wines are aged in a combination of neutral French oak barrels and stainless steel barrels. Our rosé is briefly aged in stainless steel barrels. Our goal is for each Isenhower Cellars wine to be unique, age worthy, and delicious. Isenhower Cellars currently produces 4000 cases of wine per year.
Reviewed By lynette_cypress - Boise, United States
Denise made this a fun and memorable stop, pouring their fantastic wines and offering flexibility in the flights based on guests' preferences. They provide a unique tasting experience with 6 or 7 small beakers of each wine in a lovely little arched stand. She moves through each wine and its story, and with the samples in front of you, you can freely revisit any of them. One unique and divine wine is their sparkling Roussanne - it was a fabulous way to start our tasting experience. Our small group went away with several of their wines (and some fun merch.) The tasting room seats about 10, so as the temps drop and tastings all move inside, make a reservation in advance. And ask about their annual Cuvee wine - and "family" label. I look forward to going back!
3. Foundry Vineyards
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
The combination of art and wine is the foundation upon which Foundry Vineyards is built. Founders Mark and Patty Anderson focused their vision on formulating a unique experience, which expands the dialog about the creative processes that underlie the making of art and wine. There is a distinct aesthetic to each aspect of the winery from the art-driven Artisan labels and the gallery-like tasting room to the spare, urban feel of the adjacent contemporary sculpture garden. The award winning wines we produce are forged with a combination of our estate grown fruit and small lot production. Each hand crafted wine is overseen from the vine to the bottle and rigorously selected from our best lots. This procedure allows the wines to mature to their full potential and showcases our philosophy of quality over quantity.
Reviewed By AlanaClaro1 - Jersey City, United States
The wine selection is excellent and the staff is so friendly and nice, they offered other varieties based on our palate and were super knowledgeable. Definitely a great experience and I couldn’t recommend more
4. Gifford Hirlinger Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By AbilenefromManifest
I am forever indebted to the person who recommended we visit this winery. Charming family-run operation and the wines are absolutely wonderful, with the winemakers refreshingly devoid of snobbery.
5. College Cellars of Walla Walla
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 34 reviews
College Cellars is the not-for-profit winery located at the Institute for Enology and Viticulture on the Walla Walla Community College Campus. The wines are produced by the students and staff during the course of their wine studies program. With access to cutting edge technology and training in time-honored techniques, they craft wines that express the vibrancy of the Walla Walla Valley AVA and its winemaking community. Schedule your visit today! Cheers!
Reviewed By 2Cougs - Eagle, United States
Wine makers pay attention. The person you choose to educate your patrons is as important as the wine you’re serving. Nicole was our educator/server and was one of the most knowledgeable and entertaining hosts we encountered in our weekend wine trip to Walla Walla. The college is a different experience and one you should not miss if you are a wine enthusiast.
6. Castillo de Feliciana
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By NewZealander2004 - Seattle, United States
We stopped in here on a road trip. They offer only pick up with reservation which we only realized on arrival. They were able to accommodate us. Masks required (which I was happy with!). We bought wine and sangria to go. No wine tasting offered as their county is back to phase 1. Very gracious and lovely person who served us.
7. Quirk Brewing
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
A family-owned nanobrewery in Walla Walla, Washington
8. Seven Hills Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Focusing on varietal red wine made from the grapes of eastern Washington State, this winery and its tasting rooms are housed in the historic Whitehouse-Crawford building.
Reviewed By kellicaughlan - Portland, United States
Lovely wines......always. Our tasting experience was personal, informative, and enjoyable. As with most things these days, we had to make an appointment. This was new for us with wine tasting. I must say that the setting and personal attention was nice. I hope that tastings in the future are like we experienced at Seven Hills.
9. Three Rivers Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Tour the barrel rooms and cellar of this lovely winery with stunning views of surrounding vineyards, Mill Creek and the distant Blue Mountains, and try your hand at three short holes of golf.
Reviewed By 134karena - Roseville, United States
A friend recommended that we include this in our tasting selections during our weekend in Walla Walla Washington. I called ahead and was greeted by an incredibly pleasant gentleman (I believe Stacey). Upon arrival, Trevor took great care of us- educating us (as novice wine tasters) about the wines and sampling a great variety of reds and whites. I am generally not a fan of whites but their selection was quite good and I walked away with a purchase of the best Riesling I have had- not too sweet and not to dry. Of the wineries we visited, we felt the overall taste and value of their wines was one of the best, better than Northstar that we visited earlier in the day. It’s set in a lovely country setting. Thank you, Trevor, for taking great care of us. You rock!
10. Waterbrook Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
With panoramic views of the sprawling grounds, large ponds and picturesque Blue Mountains, visitors can relax on the patio with a glass of award-winning wine and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. Inside, guests are greeted by Waterbrook's expert staff at the full retail tasting bar. Waterbrook Executive Chef Skyeler Milgate utilizes local and seasonal ingredients to create incredible farm-to-table fare from our full-service kitchen. Stop by to taste our daily specials and seasonal menu paired with Waterbrook's outstanding portfolio of wines.
Reviewed By _tomnguyen001 - Austin, United States
The setting is just perfect. During Covid-19, they space out tables and are very careful about their protocol. The back lawn was just perfect and framed beautifully against the back drop of the pond. Wines are at excellent price point - both the Columbia, Icon and Reserve. Staff was very thoughtful with our three Westies. The lunch sandwich is very good but at a high price point. You can take your own there, though.
