Visit Washington’s Wine Country; Better Than Napa

When I turn 30, I want to do something different from what I did in my 20s. Since I have recently developed an interest in Champagne, I researched wine destinations.

I quickly settled on Napa in Northern California because it was the only place I had heard of and I discovered that the area offered sparkling wine tours.

Between stunning vineyard views, ideal weather, tours and wine tastings, and of course incredible food and wine, this destination is simply magical.

My husband and I stayed in a Vrbo cabin called “The Casa,” a small house we owned ourselves, surrounded by vineyards and a lovely farm, and the chickens played in our yard the entire trip.

While this vacation is unforgettable, it also comes with a hefty price tag. The tours, tastings, meals, and Vrbo quickly added up to making our wine trip unlikely to happen again.

That is, until I discovered Walla Walla. This smaller city in southeastern Washington state is home to a thriving wine region and is just a short plane ride from our home in Seattle.

I decided to go with my husband to celebrate my 33rd birthday, hoping to recreate my Napa experience.

During our three-day trip, I realized that Walla Walla offered me the kind of wine vacation I enjoyed in Napa, with more spontaneity, fewer crowds, and lower prices.

The food and drink scene was even better than I imagined

There are more than 100 wineries in this small valley, more than 30 walkable tasting rooms in downtown Walla Walla alone, and five other wine regions to explore in the surrounding area.

Since this was our first time here, we spent most of the trip on Main Street and we were new to the surrounding bodega.

Like Napa Valley, Walla Walla is known for its Bordeaux-style red wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. We also tried white wines such as Chardonnay and Viognier, as well as sparkling wine.

Co-founded by former NFL player Sidney Rice, Dossier is one of the newer wineries in the area and we stumbled upon it while exploring downtown. We stopped to catch a plane.

We also visited Pursued by Bear, founded by actor Kyle MacLachlan. As a Twin Peaks fan, this was a must for me (unfortunately, Agent Dale Cooper wasn’t there that day).

At Grosgrain we tried some less traditional wines, tasting them while overlooking the vineyards outside the tasting room.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Walla Walla’s food scene either, but I was pleasantly surprised.

At The Walls Vineyards we were able to pair our wine tasting with food, including a hummus plate and a wood-fired pizza from its sister restaurant, Passatempo Taverna, which had been recommended to us by many people during our trip.

We made reservations at several restaurants based on ratings and recommendations, and ended up having two very delicious dinners at The Marc and Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen on Main Street. Both have great wine and cocktail lists.

And, as an avid coffee lover, I always look for the best coffee shops wherever I go. I didn’t have high expectations for a specialty coffee scene in such a big city, so I was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon Carte Coffee, which offers specially selected coffee beans.

They even offer cupping classes where you learn to brew and taste coffee, something I’ve never experienced at my usual coffee shop in Seattle.

I enjoyed vineyard and oceanfront views for less than Napa

We chose to stay at the Eritage Resort, a quiet hotel about 10 minutes from downtown, hoping to recreate the vineyard setting we enjoyed in Napa. Our private bungalows meet this need.

Every morning we woke up to views of the lake and vineyards in the distance. The resort also offers a variety of activities, such as wine tasting in the restaurant, cycling through the vineyards, and canoeing or kayaking on the lake.

We ended up just walking through the vineyards and along the lake because there was so much more in the area that we wanted to explore.

Our Walla Walla bungalow cost about $296 per night before tax, which was a steal compared to the $410 per night we paid to rent in Napa three years ago in 2023.

Each location has a range of accommodation options at different price points and this is what we chose to book. Finally, we got the kind of picturesque accommodation we love in Napa, but at a much more reasonable price.

The slower pace and sense of community makes me want to come back

Before our visit to Walla Walla, I scheduled most of the wine tastings in advance, as I had done in Napa Valley, to secure our seats at some popular wineries.

But when we arrived in this smaller city, we found we had a lot more freedom. Walla Walla never feels too crowded, and reservations are not required for every meal and tasting (at least not during our visit in April).

We were able to enjoy our vacation the way I love best – making discoveries and unforgettable moments along the way. That alone made the trip even better.

I also love feeling a palpable sense of community among people who work in the hospitality industry. All the hosts at the places we visited recommended local restaurants, wineries, and experiences for us. When we mentioned places we’d already visited, they all seemed to know each other, which made the city feel even more connected.

As I tried to recreate my unforgettable trip to Napa Valley, I realized that the vacation I wanted had changed.

I found myself enjoying the freedom to explore at my own pace, rather than cramming everything into a packed schedule and trying to get reservations at the most famous wineries and restaurants.

Walla Walla offers the incredible wine, hospitality, and beautiful surroundings that I loved in Napa, but with fewer crowds and more opportunities for spontaneous discovery.

I had hoped to revisit Napa Valley, but Walla Walla gave me a new appreciation for small town travel.