September 18, 2007

Balls to the Walla

Walla Walla Road Trip

Bright lights, big city. You’re exhausted, and it’s not pretty. Stop whining and start wining, with a getaway to Walla Walla during harvest time.

Test
Prime your palate at L’Ecole No. 41 and Woodward Canyon wineries on your way into town, then hit highlights in Walla Walla’s other four geographic areas: easily walkable downtown (Waters, Seven Hills), the Airport’s converted military barracks (Dunham Cellars, Buty), sleepy Mill Creek (Abeja, K Vintners, àMaurice), and the rolling hills of South Walla Walla (Va Piano, Northstar, Rulo).

It’s not Napa (yet), so most wineries offer free tastings. But some charge $5-$10 (waved when you buy a bottle), so do bring a little cash.

Ingest
Start with heavenly cappuccino and croissants at the darling Colville Street Patisserie (40 South Colville Street; 509-301-7289). Follow up with California-style wraps at remodeled 1920s gas station Luscious by Nature (33 South Colville Street; 509-522-0424) or baguettes, salumi, and artisan cheeses at Salumiere Cesario.

Once night falls, have trout salad at stately but unstuffy Whitehouse-Crawford. Play “name that winemaker” at buzzing new contender Saffron (125 West Alder Street; 509-525-2112), helmed by Todd English protégé Chris Ainsworth. Or hit nearby Waitsburg’s just-opened Jim German Bar (119 Main Street; 509-337-6001) for quiet cosmopolitan fare.

Get Undressed
Rest your weary taste buds at the intimate Inn at Abeja. (Call October 1, when they open their books for the following year.) No luck? While boutique hotels are in the works, try the regal Marcus Whitman.

The Rest
You do the drinking, let Black Tie Limousines do the driving. (Use a winery map to plan the route.) Wrap up a long day with a mani/pedi or massage (ask for Sandra) at Misbehaven.

It’s all so charming, you’ll have a major crush.