Sip On the Oregon side, Los Rocosos Vineyards pours award-winning wines in a laid-back, dog-friendly space where the tasting is often led by the winemaker. Spain inspires the winemakers at Castillo de Feliciana Vineyard & Winery, from the Tempranillo and Albariño grown in the vineyard to the Europeanstyle decor in the tasting room. Try elegant red wines, balanced whites and the occasional dessert wine at Zerba Cellars. Make a reservation for a guided tasting at Rotie Cellars, which specializes in Syrah and Syrah blends inspired by France’s Rhône Valley. You can see the state line from Saviah Cellars’ covered patio — a great place to sample the earthy, savory reds for which this region is known. Book a seated tasting at Force Majeure, where you can taste the same variety grown at different estate vineyards. At the intimate, modern Grosgrain tasting room on one of its vineyards, you can sample Syrah, Carignan and Grenache by a cozy fire. If your travels keep you on the west side of the Cascades, visit Violet Vines in the Willamette Valley town of Carlton to taste wines made from The Rocks District grapes. Eat In the heart of downtown Walla Walla, flavors pop at Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen, where you can pair a pistachio-carrot salad with a cocktail made with saffron-infused gin. Salted Mill serves inventive takes on American classics — think pork chops with cipollini onions or braised lamb with beans and leeks — alongside an immense list of local wines. For classic diner vibes, head for Clarette’s Restaurant for omelets, French dip sandwiches, and a bounty of pancakes and waffles. In Milton-Freewater, tuck into fajitas, enchiladas and chile rellenos beneath colorful murals at La Ramada Family Mexican Restaurant. Hearty breakfasts at Wee Bit O’Heather are a tradition; there you’ll find classics like thick French toast, omelets and chicken- fried steak. For something sweet, check out chocolatier Petits Noirs, where you’ll find everything from nougat and hot cocoa to chocolates designed specifically to be paired with wine. Play Want to get some steps in between tastings? Head to Whitman College for its outdoor sculpture walk, which features 21 sculptures spread across its lush grounds, including many made by alumni. Or head out of town to over 715 miles of hiking and biking trails for every skill level in the nearby Umatilla National Forest. You can even rent bikes at Bicycle Barn, including tandem and e-bikes, to take a spin in the countryside. If you like history, you’re in the right place. You can learn more about what life was like in this rural part of the Northwest with a trip to the Frazier Farmstead Museum in Milton-Freewater, which preserves the history of the area in a beautifully maintained 1892 farmhouse. Or take a tour of the Kirkman House Museum, a stately Victorian Italianate home completed in 1880, providing a glimpse of domestic life in Walla Walla’s olden days. Stay The historic Marcus Whitman Hotel is the best-known place to stay, featuring classically furnished rooms in Walla Walla’s tallest building. If BEN LINDBLOOM The Walls WINE TRAILS Downtown Walla Walla There’s so much to see and do in this world-class wine destination, but don’t be overwhelmed. Start with a visit to The Walls in downtown Walla Walla. Its tasting room might be north of Oregon’s border, but with two vineyards in Oregon, this is a great place to taste Bordeaux- and Rhone-style wines that exemplify what makes fruit from the Rocks District so unique. Television buffs will love Pursued by Bear, the stylish tasting room owned by “Twin Peaks” star — and Northwest local — Kyle MacLachlan. Then stroll Main Street, where you’ll find close to a dozen boutique tasting rooms. Ask the winemakers for recommendations for your next visit, or pop into The Thief, a bottle shop specializing in Northwest wines, to stock up on souvenirs. Keep exploring at rocksdistrict.com your tastes run more contemporary, head over to The FINCH to find bright, modern rooms in a refurbished motor hotel. For a romantic weekend, book a suite at The Wesley, a historic Victorian home converted into 12 suites with expansive outdoor spaces featuring multiple soaking tubs, gas grills and fire pits. Want to stay close to the vines? Several wineries have on-vineyard homes for rent, including the Walls’ Petros Vineyard House and Grosgrain’s Casa Grosgrain. Most have several bedrooms, making them an appealing option for groups. Or book a room at The Inn at Abeja, offering a collection of individually decorated suites and cottages on a working winery with acclaimed prix-fixe dining. OREGON WINE TOURING GUIDE 35
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