I Thought Napa Was the Gold Standard for Wine Trips—Then This Washington City Changed My Mind

When I turned 30, I wanted to mark the occasion with a memorable trip. I’d recently become interested in champagne, and Napa Valley seemed like the obvious choice. Its vineyards, tastings, food, and sunny scenery made for a wonderful getaway.

My husband and I rented a small house surrounded by vineyards, where chickens often wandered into the yard. The experience was magical—but expensive. Between lodging, meals, tours, and tastings, it wasn’t a trip we could easily repeat.

Three years later, for my 33rd birthday, we tried Walla Walla, a wine destination in southeastern Washington just a short flight from our home in Seattle. After three days there, I found the wine, beautiful setting, and hospitality I’d loved in Napa, but with fewer crowds, more room for spontaneity, and a lower overall cost.

A surprisingly rich food and wine scene

The Walla Walla Valley has more than 100 wineries. Downtown alone has over 30 tasting rooms within walking distance, while several other wine districts lie nearby.

We spent most of our first visit exploring Main Street. The region is known for Bordeaux-style reds, including cabernet sauvignon and merlot, but we also sampled chardonnay, viognier, and sparkling wines.

Some stops came about simply because we happened upon them. We dropped into Dossier for a tasting flight and visited Pursued by Bear, a winery founded by actor Kyle MacLachlan—a fun stop for a Twin Peaks fan. At Grosgrain, we tried less-conventional wines while looking out over the vineyard.

The food was another pleasant surprise. At The Walls Vineyards, we paired wine with a hummus plate and wood-fired pizza from its sister restaurant, Passatempo Taverna. We also had excellent dinners at The Marc and Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen, both of which offered appealing wine and cocktail lists.

I was also glad to find Carte Coffee, a specialty coffee shop that offers curated beans and cupping classes—an unexpected discovery in a city of Walla Walla’s size.

Scenic lodging at a more manageable price

We stayed at Eritage Resort, about 10 minutes from downtown, in hopes of finding the vineyard setting we’d enjoyed in Napa. Our private bungalow looked out over a lake and vineyards. The resort also offered wine tastings, vineyard bike rides, and canoeing and kayaking, though we mostly chose to walk around the grounds.

The bungalow cost about $296 per night before taxes. By comparison, the Napa rental we booked in 2023 had cost $410 per night. Prices vary depending on where and when you stay, but Walla Walla gave us the scenic experience we wanted at a rate that felt easier to justify.

A slower pace and a welcoming community

Before the trip, I scheduled most of our tastings, as I had in Napa. But during our April visit, we found that not every meal or tasting required a reservation. The city never felt too crowded, so we could follow recommendations and make discoveries as we went.

The people working in hospitality were generous with local suggestions, and they often seemed to know one another. That gave the city a connected, welcoming feel.

I’d gone to Walla Walla hoping to recreate my Napa trip, but the experience changed what I look for in a vacation. Rather than filling every day with reservations and must-see stops, I enjoyed having the freedom to explore at my own pace.

Walla Walla offered the wine, scenery, and hospitality I’d loved in Napa, with fewer crowds and more opportunities for spontaneous moments. I arrived looking for a repeat of an old favorite and left with a new appreciation for small-town travel.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!