Best for: Wine in a former airplane hangar
Location: Walla Walla Airport District
Price: $$–$$$

Founded in 1995 by Eric Dunham and his parents Mike and Joanne, Dunham Cellars was the ninth bonded winery in Walla Walla and remains one of its most beloved. The tasting room occupies a rustic, remodeled WWII-era airplane hangar in the Airport District, the space adorned with Eric Dunham’s paintings and a 500-bottle tower of library wines. Sales of the Shirley Mays Chardonnay see a portion donated to breast cancer research as a tribute to Eric’s grandmother. If you’re taking bottles home, pack a Trutina or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Best for: Fresh, restrained wines with Blue Mountain views
Location: Walla Walla
Price: $$–$$$

Founded in 2018 by conservationist Brad Bergman and Doug Frost, a Master of Wine and Master Sommelier, Echolands is the most architecturally striking winery in the valley. The tasting room cantilevers over the estate on a hillside, its glass walls framing meadows and the Blue Mountains beyond. On a misty day it feels almost alpine. The wines prioritize freshness and vibrancy over power — taste the Resurgent Vineyard and Les Collines Syrahs. Echolands recently achieved USDA Organic Certification of its vineyards.

Best for: Single-vineyard Bordeaux and Rhône varieties
Location: The Rocks District | Milton-Freewater, OR
Price: $$$$

Founded in 2004 by Susan and Paul McBride, Force Majeure occupies a restored rural schoolhouse in Milton-Freewater. A sensitive renovation preserved the building’s original character while contemporary furnishings and original artworks complete the space, giving it the feel of an elegant private home. Winemaker Louis Skinner crafts estate-grown Bordeaux and Rhône-varietal wines from Red Mountain and the Walla Walla Valley. Production is under 3,000 cases and tastings are by appointment. If you enjoy Grenache, make sure to taste it here — perfumed and velvety with dark red fruit and an earthy depth.

Best for: Historic schoolhouse and estate Bordeaux blends
Location: Lowden / Walla Walla Valley
Price: $$–$$$

Founded in 1983 by Jean and Baker Ferguson, L’Ecole № 41 takes its name from a historic schoolhouse in Washington’s Walla Walla Valley, an area settled by French-Canadian fur traders in the late 1800s. The building served as a school until 1974 and now hosts daily tastings in its original classrooms. Marty and Megan Clubb took over in 1989; Marty has since become one of Washington wine’s most influential advocates. Look for their Bordeaux blends Apogee, Perigee, and Ferguson, named for the moon’s orbit.

Best for: Estate Bordeaux-style wines
Location: Southside Walla Walla
Price: $$–$$$

Owned by three families — the McKibbens, the Murphys, and the Pellets — Pepper Bridge Winery is built into a hillside with views of the vineyard and Blue Mountains from the terrace. Winemaker Jean-François Pellet farms regeneratively and powers the winery largely on solar energy, producing Bordeaux-style wines from 100% estate-grown grapes. Pepper Bridge was the first in Walla Walla to earn sustainable certification. The Trine, named for the three founding families, is the bottle to take home. Walk-ins welcome.

Best for: Tuscan-inspired hospitality
Location: North of downtown Walla Walla
Price: $$–$$$

Founded by Ken and Kristin Reali, this young estate just north of downtown sits among rolling wheatfields with 360-degree views of the Blue Mountains. The Realis grow French and Italian varieties, including one of Washington’s first Vermentino plantings. Winemaker Serge Laville brings over 20 years of experience, favoring minimal intervention to allow terroir to shine. Expect a greeting from the owners; it’s the kind of personal touch that makes Walla Walla special. The Grenache is a standout. By appointment.

Best for: Small-production, allocated wines
Location: Walla Walla Valley
Price: $$$$

Founded by Mike and Gale Reynvaan in 2004, with son Matt as grower and winemaker, Reynvaan produces some of Washington’s most decorated Syrahs from estate vineyards. The wines are fully allocated and the mailing list closed, but it’s worth sending an appointment request. Tastings take place at the family property, often poured by Matt himself, and include the Syrahs and an outstanding white Rhône blend, Queen’s Road. Matt just launched R|A Family Wines, debuting with the JDA Project Syrah — one to watch.

Best for: Rhône-inspired wines with a vineyard view
Location: Milton-Freewater / The Rocks District
Price: $$–$$$

Founded in 2007 by winemaker and owner Sean Boyd, Rotie Cellars pays homage to the Rhône Valley with estate-grown Syrah, GSM blends, and Viognier. Seattle architect George Suyama designed the concrete tasting room to appear to float above the surrounding landscape. On nice days, climb up the vineyard platform for a glimpse of the appellation’s stony geology. Then settle in at a terrace table to taste Boyd’s plush-styled wines. Make sure to taste the Homage Mourvèdre. By appointment.

Best for: European perspective in Washington wine country
Location: Walla Walla
Price: $$–$$$

The charred black shou sugi ban exterior signals your arrival at Valdemar Estates, the first internationally owned winery in Washington. The Martínez Bujanda family has made wine in Rioja since 1889, bringing that legacy to Walla Walla in 2019. Helmed by two women winemakers, the estate produces Washington Syrah, Cabernet, and a refreshing Grenache Blanc. Pair a tasting with tapas on the terrace with views of the mountains. If palate fatigue sets in, opt for the Tempranillo imported from their Spanish estate. Reservations required.

Best for: Lunch with a winery point of view
Location: Walla Walla
Price: $$–$$$

Founded in 2014 by Mike Martin, The Walls is known for blending classic and eclectic varieties, including little-known grapes from the Iberian Peninsula. The contemporary tasting room is relaxed, with a patio for pleasant days. The Walls offers a full lunch menu — go for the pizzas, based on Passatempo’s sourdough. Expect flights of both The Walls releases and the PÁŠXA label, the latter focused on Rhône varieties from the Rocks District and one of the appellation’s most thrilling expressions. Walk-ins welcome.

Best for: Walla Walla pioneer history
Location: Lowden / Walla Walla Valley
Price: $$–$$$

Founded in 1981 by Rick and Darcey Fugman-Small on a four-generation family wheat ranch, Woodward Canyon was the second winery established in the Walla Walla Valley. The tasting room occupies a rustic wood building dating to the 1870s, with a grassy lawn and outdoor tables for sunny days. Now led by the second generation, with winemaker Marcus Rafanelli at the helm since early 2026, the winery remains committed to the age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux blends that built its reputation. Don’t leave without tasting the Artist Series Cabernet and the Cab Franc.

Best for: Wine with a mission
Location: Downtown Walla Walla
Price: $$

Winemakers use the French term “élevage,” literally “to raise,” for the work of bringing a wine from grape to bottle. At Vital Wines, that parenting takes a village. Founded by Ashley Trout in 2016, this nonprofit relies on donated fruit, barrels, bottling, labels, and even tasting room shifts from dozens of local wineries and businesses. Every release is a collaboration, and the profits—at more than $1.2 million since 2017—fund free bilingual healthcare for vineyard workers.