Recently, some friends and I went on a winetasting trip to Walla Walla Valley. Geographically, Walla Walla is located in the southeast corner of the Columbia Valley appellation, straddling the Washington/Oregon state line. It features about 120+ wineries. The area lines up to the beautiful Blue Mountains on the east, providing some stunning views.
The combination of a dry, sunny, warmer climate during the days and cooler nights, along with mineral-rich glacial soils, produces gorgeous wines in this area. Walla Walla wines are known for their refined elegance, structure, and complexity. The leading varietals are big reds — both Rhone Style reds as well as Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec.
Below are some of my favorite wineries in Walla Walla, as well as a few other recommendations!
Wineries to Love in Walla Walla
L’Ecole
L’Ecole No 41 is located in a beautifully restored schoolhouse, originally built in 1915. The winery’s name, “L’Ecole,” is French for “The School,” and much of the branding and decor playfully ties back to the schoolhouse theme, including the chalkboard-style labels and memorabilia scattered throughout the tasting room. L’Ecole is known for its exceptional Bordeaux-style wines and its commitment to producing high-quality, terroir-driven wines from Walla Walla and the broader Columbia Valley.
Gramercy Cellars
At Gramercy Cellars, the tasting experience is all about the wine. Their flights showcase their signature Rhône and Bordeaux-style reds, including Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines are crafted with restraint, emphasizing elegance, structure, and a balance of fruit and earthy minerality.
While the tasting room itself is more minimalist compared to other larger wineries, the surrounding area offers beautiful views of the Walla Walla landscape. Many of the wines at Gramercy Cellars are produced in small quantities, making the tasting room one of the best places to sample their full lineup.
Grosgrain Vineyards
Visiting Grosgrain Winery feels like discovering a hidden gem in Walla Walla’s wine country. The tasting room is beautifully appointed with a midcentury modern vibe and thoughtful details. It’s comfortable and cozy, like you’re tasting in a friend’s well-decorated home!
Grosgrain Winery focuses on producing small-batch, handcrafted wines, with an emphasis on lesser-known varietals and low-intervention winemaking. They feature wines like Picpoul Blanc, Trousseau, Gamay, and Cinsault, with a commitment to unique and underrepresented grape varieties.
The combination of the interiors and the unique wines make this an unforgettable must-stop!
Valdemar
A touch of Spain in Walla Walla! This winery blends the tradition of the Valdemar family’s Spanish winemaking with Washington’s terroir. The winery has a sleek, modern tasting room and the outdoor lounge area is not to be missed! You’ll be able to sample a selection of wines, particularly those from their Walla Walla vineyards but also some from their Spanish production. They are known for their Syrah, Grenache, and other Rhône varietals, along with Tempranillo and other Spanish-inspired wines.
You can enjoy tapas-style food pairings with your wine, inspired by Valdemar’s Spanish roots. The Basque cheesecake was to die for!
From the Sky Down, in Atelier Freewater
Atelier Freewater is in a bank building that was built in 1906 in old town Freewater, 15 minutes south of the city of Walla Walla. They wanted to create a special type of tasting room that would offer several lines under well-known winemaker Todd Alexander. You can find wines from Holocene, Force Majeure, WeatherEye, Beatus and his new label, From the Sky Down.
We focused on the wines from From the Sky Down and tasted their three brand new single-varietal Cabernet offerings for 2025. They were outstanding! This was a very special and personalized experience overall. We all left as big fans!
Mark Ryan
Mark Ryan Winery in downtown Walla Walla is located right in the heart of the bustling downtown wine scene. The tasting room is a popular stop for well-crafted wines with a touch of rock ‘n’ roll flair. Mark Ryan is known for bold, complex red wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Bordeaux-style blends.
The tasting room has storefront outdoor seating, perfect for enjoying a glass of wine while people-watching or soaking in the ambiance of the area.
More About Walla Walla
Some of my other recommendations from the area!
Restaurants we loved:
Where we stayed:
We stayed in the lakeside bungalows at Eritage Resort in Walla Walla, which were a serene retreat set within the rolling hills of Washington wine country. The hotel was well-appointed, and also well-located to explore all the different winetasting areas within Walla Walla.
If you love the wines of the Northwest Pacific, check out my recap from Willamette Valley, as well.
Cheers!
xx—BB
omg the cheesecake! and i will NEVER forget atelier freewater. thank you for planning such amazing stops for us!
Thanks Ellen! 💕
It was such a great trip, and all of the wineries had such cool interiors and style!