Sip Northwest, Summer 2014
29 SIPNORTHWEST COM The founding fathers of the Walla Walla Valley are the same names that are still behind the steering wheel today Gary Figgins of Leonetti Cellars Rick Small of Woodward Canyon Marty Clubb of LEcole No 41 Casey McClellan of Seven Hills Winery Norm McKibben of Pepper Bridge Winery and Eric Rindal of Waterbrook Winery to name a few These winemakers growers and master blenders paved the way for the future generations to follow in their footsteps and they have been close behind setting new standards and revitalizing the wine growing and wine touring region with breweries and the areas first distillery following in suit GO GRAPE W I LD With vineyards abound and tasting rooms aplenty Walla Walla which translates from Cayuse Indian into many waters is a hotbed for ideal vitis vinifera growth The region continues to expand along the Blue Mountains with unique microclimates check for approval of the new The Rocks region and community custom crush facilities that produce juice for wineries statewide Wondering where to start tasting in such a comprehensive sipping site Commence your touring on the way into town stopping at LECOLE NO 41 S schoolhouse tasting room WOODWARD CANYONS 1870s farmhouse or GRAMERCY CELLARS man cave tasting room with leather recliners to watch the game on Once downtown visit the mod chic tasting rooms of MAISON BLEUE for a lesson in light fixtures and Grenache or the MARK RYAN WINERY tasting room to covet the rustic reclaimed hardwoods and Bordeaux style wines Book an appointment at DOUBLEBACK to try former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoes Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon made by second generation Walla Walla winemaker Chris Figgins Venture outward into the southside of the valley and park off J B George Road where sippers can visit PEPPER BRIDGE WINERY SAVIAH CELLARS BALBOA WINERY SLEIGHT OF HANDS CELLARS NORTHSTAR WINERY VA PIANO VINEYARDS and more all in one fell swoop To the east taste Malbec at ÀMAURICE CELLARS on their 13 acre estate vineyard visit the century old farm that hosts the winery and inn of ABEJA and stop to visit the airport wineries including DUNHAM CELLARS located in a remodeled World War II era airplane hangar NOS H O N THI S With local ingredients quite literally grown around the corner restaurants are able to truly define KITCHEN PHOTO BY CHEFS TABLE AT THE MARC
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