Walla Walla Wineries Continue to Flourish

I recently returned from my annual visit to the Walla Walla Valley, where I’ve been following the local wine scene for over 10 years. During that time, the growth in the number of wineries has been tremendous, from less than 10 in 1996 to over 100 today.

Walla Walla winemakers have been criticized by some – including me – for placing too much emphasis on heavy-handed, overpriced red wines. But things are slowly changing, and now it’s much easier to find both white wines and reasonable prices in addition to some absolutely killer reds.

For example, Rulo Winery has several delicious white wine blends, a viognier and a rosé all for about $20 or less. Bergevin Lane Vineyards currently features an outstanding 2006 Calico White (a blend of chardonnay and viognier) and a 2006 Rosé for around $16 each.

Newcomer Sleight of Hand Cellars has just released a 2006 Gewurztraminer for $16 and a 2005 Cabernet Franc-based blend for only $18. And Ron Coleman of Tamarack Cellars offers a lovely 2006 Chardonnay for about $18 to complement his full line of awesome red wines.

In addition to great wines, one of the best things about the Walla Walla area is its people. During my visit I made an appointment with Yellow Hawk Cellars winemaker Tim Sampson and his wife Barbara Hetrick. We chatted while sampling wines at their “tasting room” – the front porch of their home shaded by grape-covered trellises – in beautiful, 90 degree weather. For wine lovers, it just doesn’t get any better than that.

If you’d like to learn more about the Walla Walla Valley, I’ll be teaching a class on August 24 from 6-8 pm at Bellingham Technical College that will include a tasting of several wines from around the area. Register by phoning 752-8350 or go to www.btc.ctc.edu and click on “Continuing Community Education.”