Travel Itinerary for Walla Walla, Washington Wine Country

One of the first wineries you will see as you enter Walla Walla wine country is Spring Valley. The winery itself is small and doesn't really standout, and they only make a few wines, but it's worth a stop. Call in advance for an appointment and you can hear about the rich history of this family run winery while you taste some top of the line reds.

Get back on the road and head in the direction of the Blue Mountains, where you should stop at Pepper Ridge or Amavi. The two wineries have a lot in common. They are partners, producing unforgettable wines (you must try the 2010 Amavi Walla Walla Valley Semillon) under winemaker Jean-Francois Pellet, and have wineries with tasting rooms that offer breathtaking views of Walla Walla.

Take a break from tasting for some lunch at Graze Deli, where they offer delicious and unusual salads and sandwiches made to order. Then head over to Dusted Valley for an experience you won't forget. Chad Johnson and Corey Braunel are brothers-in-law from the Midwest, who have settled down in Walla Walla with 100 Acres of vineyards where they produce a variety of grapes, many of which they age in made-to-order Wisconsin oak barrels.

Get an apartment in the middle of the quaint town of Walla Walla at Walla Faces Inn (they also have a vineyard location if you prefer something more picturesque). Give yourself time to freshen up for the evening. Enjoy the cool evening air as you walk over to Seven Hills Winery, where Casey and Vicky McClellan will pour you a glass of their Oregon Pinot Gris. They actually have vineyards on the borders of both Washington and Oregon producing grapes that are a bit difference than the others in the area.

From Seven Hills, you just need to walk next door for one of Walla Walla's finest restaurants, Whitehouse Crawford. The menu is a bit eclectic '" like the city it is in '" and you will be certain to run into many of the local winemakers chatting away and enjoying the Fettuccine with Lamb Ragu or Salted Caramel Ice Cream. Then head back to your apartment and get some rest because you will definitely need a second day in Walla Walla.

Downtown you can have breakfast at olive Marketplace and Cafe, where you will find a great selection of local cheese and homemade pastry. Then take a drive into the country for some more wine tasting. L'Ecole No. 41 is on of the area's oldest wineries, famous for its Merlots, but if you prefer whites, be sure to sample their Chenin Blanc.

Just down the road from L'Ecole is Waterbrook Winery. After touring the facilities and sampling wine from their wide-varied selection (they even make chocolate wine) have lunch at Waterbrook Winery, where the wine-inspired food is delicious. Then bid farewell and take a drive toward town. You aren't going to get a huge selection or a large winery to tour, but Gramercy Cellars received "Best New Winery" Accolades from Food and Wine Magazine for a reason. Check out their Tempranillo, a Spanish grape you don't often see grown in this region.

A visit to Dunham Cellars is a must during a Walla Walla, trip and if you are lucky you will get to hear about the wines from Eric Dunham himself. Sample his offerings and be sure to ask about Pursued by Bear, the wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon produces with actor Kyle MacLachlan. Before you leave Walla Walla, have dinner at Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen. It's small, so make reservations. Chef Chris Ainsworth produces perfect local creations that change with the season and will leave you full for your trip home.

Walla Walla is a short flight or scenic drive from Seattle. For more information, visit the official website for the city's tourism board.