Leaving Seattle we spent half a day driving across town to buy a cooler at the local Walmart. :(
But by the time we left town it was totally worth the trip. The cooler was full of two types of cheese, three lbs. of shiny meat, a loaf of bread, cherries, peaches plums, tomatoes, plus local WA beer and wine.
We arrived in Walla Walla, late in the afternoon Monday. We stopped by the hotel briefly before heading out for out first tasting in the region. The hotel was awesome, it is a B&B called Walla Walla Inn on the outskirts of town. It is surrounded by a small vineyard and wheat fields. There are only 4 rooms in the place in addition to the main house. It is very beautiful and quaint.
We quickly drop off our things and head into town, unfortunately the wineries were already closed for the day. We do a short tasting at a place called Walla Walla Wine Works, which is a more corporate environment, they do "House Wines" for all those who know WA wines and then stop by a place called "Olives" for dinner. Olives is decent enough. Michelle orders the "Tuna Salad" and I decided to go with a pizza. With two glasses of house wine we headed out to the patio to await our food. The big surprise of the night was right in the middle of my pizza- in the form of an egg. It was essentially cooked to over easy so the yoke broke and spread out over the pie.. Unexpected, but good. The long drive and appetizers of fermented grape juice must have fueled a healthy appetite as we put down the food in no time and were on our way. On our way you ask? Is Walla Walla on a Monday night a place where you have somewhere really important to go? The answer is yes. We had a very important date with the front porch of our little B&B. Cool Weather, good wine, and books took up the rest of the evening. Needless to say it was relaxing and enjoyable..
The Discoveries...
The next three days were full of great tastings and some great finds. It all started early Tuesday morning with our visit to Pepper Bridge. As we pulled up to the very rustic estate and parked the car I asked Michelle if she was ready to start the Washington wine adventure. Excitement builds with each step and we manage to make it to the door before the need for wine completely overtakes us like a ware wolf in the full moon light. Luckily the door was open and someone was behind the counter ready for us with open bottle in hand.... We had arrived....
After a few pours of wine the creative juices began flowing and questions came spewing out of my mouth, almost as if I know what I was talking about, almost.. It soon became apparent that I in fact did notknow what I was talking about- I discovered as I stared at a map in disbelief... What led to this?- you ask. A very large part of Walla Walla is in fact in Oregon... ... ... However I had been telling Michelle and tables that is was the best region in Washington. As I was staring at a map which clearly put some of my faviorite vineyards in Oregon, not Washington, I wondered just how many people I had lied to.. Ignorence is bliss..
After Pepperbridge we continued with our whirlwind tour and I will not bore you with too many more details, rather a list of wineries.. more details can be discussed over a bottle of WA/OR wine..
Amavi
Northstar
Va Piano
Sleight of Hand
Seven Hills
Sapolil
Spring Valley
L'Ecole 41
Long Shadows
Gramercy
Waters
Reynvaan
As you can see by the list- it is a hard sommeliers life.. so much work...
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