5 Walla Walla Wines for Your Holiday Table
Whether you’re the one starting the political discussion at the dinner table or the one ending it, a great bottle of Walla Walla red wine is sure to help ease the tension.
Don’t show up empty handed, here are some great local options at every price point to pick up on your way to the holiday party.
Dunham Cellars (2017 Three Legged Red, $19)
A high quality blend with a heartfelt origin story, the Three Legged Red is named for former winemaker Eric Dunham’s dog Port, who Eric rescued but not without Port sustaining injuries serious enough to take one of his legs. A blend of fruits from Dunham’s Estate Vineyards, this red blend is aged in the same barrels as their finest Cabernets, Syrahs, and Merlots and recently scored 90 points from Owen Bargreen of Washington Wine Blog. It is a great every day wine that goes with everything, and at a great price point.
2. Dama Wines (2015 cowgirl cab, $23)
One of the few female owned and operated Washington wineries, DAMA Wines celebrates women and wine as works of art, each unique and stylish. With aromas of chocolate, ripe plum, and dark cherry, this bold 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect companion to the traditional dishes of the holidays. Whether you’re going for a second helping of mashed potatoes or going straight for the apple pie, a glass of this wine is so drinkable, you’ll want a bottle to share and one all to yourself.
3. Rotie Cellars (2015 Northern Blend, $48)
Rotie Cellars stands out among the many wineries in the Walla Walla Valley due to winemaker Sean Boyd’s commitment to creating strong Rhone style wines. The Northern Blend is made of up of Syrah sourced from the Rocks District, co-fermented with a small amount of Viognier, a traditional Northern Rhone technique that has been used for centuries. When you’re wondering what bottle to open next this dark, earthy, beautifully balanced wine is sure to bring you over to the Rhone side.
4. Spring Valley Vineyard (2015 Uriah, $50)
The Spring Valley legacy dates all the way back to the mid 1880s when current vineyard owner Shari Corkrum Derby’s grandfather Uriah Corkrum began farming in the area, for whom this wine is named. This blend is predominantly Cabernet Franc and Merlot from the Spring Valley Estate Vineyard, and aged in 100% French Oak. You can taste the legacy of hard work and beauty in this hard-to-beat local blend.
5. Pepper bridge Winery (2015, Trine, $65)
A Walla Walla Valley strong hold for elegance and craft, Pepperbridge’s winemaker Jean-François Pellet has been creating vintages of the Trine as an homage to the three families of Pepperbridge. Each year, it is a unique and creative combination of Bordeaux's traditional five red grapes. Awarded 94 points by Wine & Spirits, the 2015 Trine is fresh and bright with lively tannins, the perfect partner for any dish you’ll find on the table.
There are so many other fantastic Walla Walla Wines to choose from, which are your favorites? We hope your holidays are merry and bright!
Compiled by: Becka Ham
Photos: Lindsey Luna