Northwest Wine Maker Charles Smith

At the Charles Smith tasting room, I was able to meet the winemaker himself.   The tasting room was located on the corner of Spokane and Alder in Walla Walla.  Deb and I  were in town for the Wa-Hi 40th Class Reunion.  Charles Smith will soon open the largest tasting  room in the state in Seattle.

Another Labor Day Weekend In Walla Walla

Stops at Three Rivers (second from bottom),Charles  Smith (top)  7 Hills, Waterbrook (second from top), and Bergevin Lane wineries as well as golf and visits to the fair and the Whoopemup Hollow Cafe in Waitsburg  highlighted our trip. We also took Dasher to the Fort Walla Walla leash free dog park (bottom,Dasher is on the right).
A few comments, Three Rivers has the best grounds it also includes a three hole golf course.  It's tasting room is right at the vineyard.  Charles Smith located downtown seems to be the hippest, it's clientele seem young and worldly.  I believe it is one of the newer tasting rooms.  Mark Ryan is another new tasting room, located on Main next to Starbucks.  It has had a tasting room in Woodinville for years.
Seven Hills and Bergevin Lane are old reliables that were around before wineries in Walla Walla were cool.

Big Art Controversy In Little Waitsburg

10 years ago, it would have been a stretch to say that anything southeast of the Tri Cities was an afterthought. It was a "no thought". But with the blossoming wine industry in the Walla Walla area, there seems to be much more attention to the surrounding region. The latest controversy, according to the Seattle Times, involves little old Waitsburg. Wine Maker Charles Smith has painted a black and white American flag on his building in the heart of Waitsburg's downtown. The controversy is sure to bring the town some national exposure.