Walla Walla, Uncorked
Your insider guide to the valley’s best pours, best plates, and most elegant places to unwind.
Washington’s wine industry continues to be recognized nationally and globally for their acclaimed winemakers, distinctive varietals, and a landscape that blends rugged beauty with agricultural richness. For those of us lucky enough to call this state home, one of the country’s premier wine destinations is practically in our backyard: Walla Walla. Just a few hours from the city, this sun-soaked valley offers an impressive mix of innovative tasting rooms, family-run estates, and vineyards that consistently earn national praise. Pair that with exceptional restaurants and charming places to stay, and it’s no wonder Walla Walla has become the weekend escape we return to again and again.
The wine industry is no stranger to challenges, shaped by shifting consumer tastes, climate pressures, and increasing competition. Yet Walla Walla continues to meet these challenges with ambition and creativity. Winemakers here are experimenting with diverse varietals, fine-tuning farming practices, and rethinking how they connect with visitors. The Walla Walla wine industry is proving its resilience—evolving in ways that honor its roots while pushing the industry forward.
Bellevue Lifestyle recently headed east to experience the Walla Walla scene firsthand. We chose the scenic drive; which is always a rewarding way to ease into wine country, but the quick, convenient flight is just as appealing. However you arrive, we strongly suggest leaving the actual touring to a hired driver. It’s the easiest way to sink into the weekend, relax between stops, and fully enjoy each tasting without a hint of logistics on your mind. Tesla Winery Tours is a fantastic option to get around town, especially if you want the added experience of a tour guide. Alternatively, check out Wallaround, a local, app-based ride share service that caters to guest looking for elevated transportation without the full tour service.
Our home base for the weekend was the historic Marcus Whitman, Eastern Washington’s flagship luxury hotel. The modern comfort and charming décor, as well as the central location, made it an ideal hub for exploring the valley. Our evenings ended with a nightcap at the hotel’s lively bar—a welcoming spot to unwind after a day of tasting—while the morning breakfast offered just the right fuel to start all over again.
While we didn’t have time to explore every great winery, the following favorites impressed us with their pours, plates, and overall vibe.
Where to Sip
01/The Walls
The perfect stop for delicious wine and casual food.The Walls serves amazing woodfired pizzas, sandwiches, salads, charcuterie boards, and other tasty nibbles. The Walls was originally meant as a play on the Washington State Penitentiary, one of Walla Walla’s perhaps most notorious landmark.
02/Everen
Elegant and modern ambience. Everen’s wine is sustainably farmed and crafted to pair beautifully with whatever’s fresh and in season. Their tasting room sits just above the 3.5 acre estate vineyard and offers a relaxed, design-forward setting with views of the Blue Mountains.
03/Echolands Winery
Don’t miss this tasting room with stunning architecture and views. Created in 2018, Echolands goal is to craft responsibly produced wines that reflect the potential for elegance and balance from this singular place.
04/Dama Wines
One of Washington State’s few woman-owned wineries. Dedicated to all women who, like great wines and true works of art, meet the challenges ahead of them with fortitude and style. The tasting room is conveniently located downtown.
05/Dossier
Dossier’s Walla Walla downtown tasting room embodies their wine and brand: elevated, engaging and modern. Dossier offers a fresh approach to luxury wine inspired by the region’s great potential, incredible local talent, and distinctive terroir.
What to Savor
01/The Marc Restaurant
The Marc Restaurant showcases inspired menus, featuring locally sourced ingredients prepared with innovative flair. It’s a charming place to start your day with breakfast, or end with the day with an elevated dining experience.
02/The Salted Mill
Located in the Historic Whitehouse Crawford Building, Salted Mill is a gathering place for the community with a menu that focuses on locally sourced ingredients, a full-service bar, and an ambiance for all. We recommend booking a table in one of the large wine barrels for the full experience!
03/TMACS
Tom Maccarone, native Walla Wallan and the namesake for TMACS, showcases Walla Walla Valley’s agricultural bounty with fresh, farm-to-table ingredients. His vision of the restaurant emphasizes community collaboration from the working with city officials and local charities, to sourcing local purveyors for fresh ingredients and products.
04/Brassier Four
Brasserie Four is a French restaurant located on Main Street in downtown Walla Walla. Offering the classic dishes of France along with fine wines, cocktails, craft beers, locally roasted coffee, and local art, experience a meal in its intimate dining room, bar or patio.
05/Bacon & Eggs
Don’t miss this breakfast spot delivering modern and elevated diner vibes. Bacon & Eggs is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Inspired by the farm-to-table movement and sustainability, each dish is inspired by a place or experience the owners have shared and is made from scratch.
Walla Walla is proving its resilience and pushing the wine industry forward.