Immerse yourself in Walla Walla Valley, a beautifully lush region often described as “what Napa was like 25 years ago.”
Courtesy of Visit Walla Walla
Written byIrene Chang, In partnership with Visit Walla WallaNovember 15, 2020
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Winter in the West means shorter days and longer, cooler nights—but that doesn’t mean wine-tasting season is over.
As the unofficial capital of Washington wine country, Walla Walla offers winter wine and dine experiences that in many ways are just as appealing as their summer counterparts. Visiting during cooler months offers a markedly different but equally rejuvenating and unique experience. Winter in Walla Walla is more subdued and peaceful, as the valley’s acclaimed wineries offer quaint indoor tasting experiences.
Of course, there are still plenty of things to do aside from wine tasting in Walla Walla. Immerse yourself in the valley’s culinary scene, including the perennial February is for Foodies month-long celebration of Walla Walla’s agricultural roots. The variety of restaurants, from award-winning fine dining establishments to cozy, comfort food cafes, offers dining experiences anywhere from upscale to laid-back casual. Visit Fort Walla Walla Museum and discover the history of a region that counts indigenous tribes, the Lewis & Clark Expedition, and Whitman Mission as part of its notable past. Or pass the time outdoors, as the valley’s mild climate and predominantly sunny days provide ample opportunity to explore Mill Creek, Bennington Lake, the Blue Mountains, and the nearby McNary National Wildlife Refuge.
Here are some of our favorite places to stay, eat, and drink in the Walla Walla Valley. You’ll find out why USA Today named it America’s Best Wine Region in the 2020 10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards, and why we called it the Best Wine Town in our 2018 Sunset Travel Awards!
Where to Stay
Courtesy of Visit Walla Walla
We featured two of Walla Walla’s coziest hotel options in our most recent wine issue, and for good reason. The Inn at Abeja is right next door to the acclaimed Abeja winery, so you could have your full winter wine experience without ever leaving the 38-acre property. The century-old farmstead is beautifully restored, and perfect for history buffs who love to learn about the winery’s origins while indulging in some of Washington’s most sought-after wines.
If you’re looking for the classic charm of rolling vineyards nestled deep in the heart of wine (and wheat) country, look no further than Eritage Resort. The chic guest suites and lakefront bungalows come with luxurious amenities like L’Occitane products and a Nespresso coffee machine, and every room offers either a lake or mountain view so you can recharge with nature at your doorstep.
Where to Wine
Courtesy of Visit Walla Walla
Walla Walla Valley’s winemaking roots date back as far as the 1800s, when French-Canadian fur traders planted several varietals in nearby Frenchtown. Today, Walla Walla is home to more than 120 wineries that provide a wide array of experiences, from tours and tastings at traditional estate wineries to downtown tasting rooms. (There’s even one in repurposed WWII Army buildings in the Airport District.)
Wine history buffs should check out the wineries and vineyards established by the founding families of Walla Walla wine, whose influence continues to penetrate every corner of the valley today, including the Figgins family (Leonetti Cellar, 1977), the Small family (Woodward Canyon, 1981), the Ferguson and Clubb families (L’Ecole No 41, 1983), the McClellan family (Seven Hills, 1988), and the McKibben family (Pepper Bridge, 1991).
Ready to go? We’ve got your packing list ready, with all the essentials you need for the ultimate winter wine experience.
1 of 7Courtesy of Away Travel
AWAY, The Bigger Carry-On
This brushed copper, high-shine suitcase from AWAY is the ultimate way to travel in style.
AWAY Carry-On Suitcase, $345
2 of 7Courtesy of UMA
UMA Pure Calm Wellness Oil
This essential oil blend makes it easier to keep calm and carry on.
UMA Wellness Oil, $90
3 of 7Courtesy of Sorel
Sorel Kinetic Caribou Boot
Rain or shine, you can’t go wrong with these sporty, stylish, and super functional boots.
Sorel Caribou Boots, $160
4 of 7Courtesy of HUM
HUM Air Patrol Supplements
Traveling is always risky business when it comes to getting sick, and this year we’re not taking any chances. Enter HUM’s Air Patrol immunity supplements––because safety first.
HUM Air Patrol Supplements, $15
5 of 7Courtesy of Kitsbow
Wake ProTech™ Merino Reusable Face Mask
Finding a mask that is functional, stylish, and comfortable is no easy feat––but lucky for us Kitsbow managed to do just that. This mask, with a built in filter, holds shape without adding bulk, makes breathing a bit easier, and the merino fabric doesn’t irritate skin.
Merino Reusable Face Mask, $30
6 of 7Courtesy of Guyana
CUYANA Cashmere Beanie
We’ve been waiting for crisp autumnal days to pull out this cozy accessory.
Cashmere Beanie, $95
7 of 7Courtesy of Allbirds
Allbirds Trino™Puffer
We love a good puffer here at Sunset––especially one designed to protect the planet, too. This puffer’s outer layer is topped with Bluesign® certified fluorine-free Durable Water Repellent (DWR).
Trino Puffer $250
Essential Wine Gear
We only recommend things we love. If you buy something through our site, we might earn a commission.
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Le Creuset Waiter’s Friend Corkscrew
A textbook version of the ubiquitous sommelier’s knife, but with a comfier handle, a sharp blade for slicing through capsules, and a double-hinged lever for easy extraction of even the most stubborn synthetic corks.
Le Creuset Waiter's Friend Corkscrew, from $22.46
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Riedel WineWings Glasses
We’ve duked it out over fancy glassware in the past, but this series of wine glasses might make converts of the mason jar set. With a flatter bottom profile and undulating curves to afford for vigorous swirls, the Silhouette of each glass is designed to provide maximum air contact with the contents. That means the aromas meet your nose and meld with the palate of your wine to provide an orgiastic crescendo of sensory components.
Riedel WineWings Glasses, from $35
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Hard Strong 7-Ounce Stackable Glasses
Made in Japan since 1967 and strengthened through an Ion-Exchange process, these glasses are compact, stackable, and ultra-durable. They’re often used for hot tea in ramen shops, but they function just as well with a weeknight Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (or a thumb of whiskey). Bonus: A six-pack of these costs less than a single Riedel!
Hard Strong stackable glasses, 6 for $33
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North Drinkware Glasses
Glass half-empty or half-full is not what we’re mulling with this smart series of tumblers, which features relief sculptures of prominent mountains in the base. What better way to contemplate the heights you’ll reach in the year ahead than to drain a dram with heft like this?
North Drinkware Tumblers, from $48
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Corning Pyrex Erlenmeyer “Decanter”
Go ahead, drop $300 on a fancy blown-glass decanter. That’s blown money, once it meets the edge of an elbow after the third bottle of the night. We’ll be drinking the money we saved by using this dirt-cheap and durable Pyrex surrogate, which is made for the lab but works damn well enough on wine, too. It’s food safe, brand-new, and best of all cheaper than most wine we’d recommend.
Corning Pyrex Erlenmeyer Flask, $24.37
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Coravin Wine-Preservation Systems
Previous models of this system injected inert Argon gas through the cork via hypodermic needle, pushing wine back out and preserving the delicate juice inside. That’s fine for sipping your way through $800 bottles of cult cab, but for the average drinker just looking to prolong something pretty damn good, or maybe to work through a few bottles in a night without the pressure of draining them, this system is a life-saver. Instead of punching through the cork, you’ll swap on grommeted rubber necks after the cork is removed. The result: Four weeks versus a few days of post-cork longevity—and zero opener’s remorse.
Coravin Systems, from $99
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NewAir Wine Refrigerators
Consider a dual-zone compact wine fridge like NewAir’s—perfect for cramped kitchens.
