If you are planning a girl’s wine trip, might I suggest a location a little further north: Walla Walla, Washington – a region known for Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Girls Wine Trip!
In 2015, five friends ventured north for a long weekend in Walla Walla. We flew from Dallas to Seattle, then on to Pasco, WA. We took late flights and arrived in Pasco around midnight. Our plan was to stay the night in Pasco and head to Walla Walla the following morning since the drive was under an hour. Since I graduated from Washington State University (which is roughly 2.5 hours north of Walla Walla) memories of the region’s rolling countryside filled my mind during the roadtrip.
Our Bed and Breakfast
Mindee scored BIG time with booking a couple rooms at the Fat Duck Inn, without a doubt the best Bed and Breakfast I ever stayed in! The owners at the time were Cynthia and Rich and they were outstanding. Since Rich was a retired chef, not only were the breakfasts beyond impressive, the wine dinner he and Cynthia hosted on Friday night was an unforgettable dining experience.
Frog Hollow Farm
Rich sourced a lot of his fresh food from local farms and he spoke very highly of Frog Hollow Farm. We decided we needed to check this place out. Located in the rolling hills, this tucked-away farm had the most friendly farm owner. She let us roam around the property and play with her Saint Bernard. It truly was a picturesque place.
Our Driver, Tom Olson was the best!
Getting a driver is one of the best things you can do when planning a wine trip. They know the area well, have connections with local wineries and offer great insight on the best kept secrets across the region. We 100% lucked-out hiring Tom Olson as our driver. He was personable, helpful, flexible with our schedule and made sure every winery visit and lunch was top-notch. He even helped us gather the materials needed to pack the wine we purchased to check with our luggage for the flight home. Not only did Tom know the best wineries, he also knew the best places to eat, including the Bomb! Taco Shop on the border of Washington and Oregon. So delish!
Wineries we Visited
Beresan Winery
Saviah Cellars
Waterbrook
L’Ecole
Reininger
Skylite Cellars
Rotie Cellars (OUR FAVORITE WINE)
Charles Smith
Long Shadows
Walla Walla Vinters
A’Maurice Cellars
Amavi Cellars
***If you are flying to Walla Walla or a nearby airport and planning to purchase wine and take home with you, be sure to check out Alaska Airlines. They offer a program where you can check a box of wine free to your destination.
Places we ate
The first night in town we visited Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen for dinner. They came with great reviews and rightfully deserved. Dinner was incredible! Friday night we enjoyed the Wine Dinner at Fat Duck Inn. It was a local affair where we met many others visiting Walla Walla. Since we were walking throughout downtown Main Street on Saturday, we decided to enjoy dinner at Public House 124.
