Walla Walla On Tour 2025 Winery Highlights
By Taylor Rausch
February 25, 2025
On a cold Monday morning in early February, a steady pace of people filled the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, WA, eager for the clock to strike 4pm so they could begin sipping all the wine that Walla Walla Wine on Tour had to offer. Participants from around the wine industry, and those who simply adore Washington state wines, strolled about the fifty-plus names that represent the Walla Walla Valley AVA wine region. They met winemakers and savored samples and discovered more than just the big-time-suppliers.
I sauntered past the many booths, taking my time to stop and sip, attempting to keep my sobriety sharp so I could fully absorb the wines from this renowned wine region. I spoke with the winemakers themselves, asking about their enological philosophies, and learned about the collaboration between art and science and farming. High-profile wineries, such as LeCole N° 41, Long Shadows, and Abeja, positioned themselves beside names new to me, but I made time to learn.
Of the fifty-plus awaiting enthusiastic wine drinkers, five stood out the most: SMAK Wines; Ducleaux Cellars; Dossier Wine Collective; Pursued by Bear; and KINHAVEN.
A rosé haven. This taste of Washington was started by winemaker Fiona S. Mak, the first Asian woman from Hong Kong to own a winery in Washington state. At 32 years old, she opened the doors of SMAK Wines, focusing solely on rosé production that is reminiscent of those from the French Riviera. A small batch plan that is highlighted by a biodynamic approach to winemaking and an idea that every season is for rosé.
With this approach, she creates rosé from a crisp and fresh Pinot Grigio grape for summer sipping, or utilizes the heavier-bodied Syrah grape for fall-time enjoyment that boasts notes of tender warmth and subtle spices, reminding you Thanksgiving is near. You won’t find much of their wine outside of SMAK’s tasting room, so I highly recommend finding time to visit this thoughtful winery on your next trip to Walla Walla.
Want to rock and roll? I thought so! This unabashed winery has a simple motto: “Life is chaotic, have fun.” After meeting with Ducleaux’s owner, and self-proclaimed Chief Bottle Washer, Chris Dukelow, their anthem rings true. They harvest Rhone Valley grapes – Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre – from Belle Roche, their estate vineyard that is within the Rocks District AVA.
If there is anything to know about the Rock’s District AVA, it’s that there is not another location in Washington that could aptly mimic the style of wine produced. It’s known for wines that boast savoriness, meatiness, smokiness and all around the fun type of funk that is all too intriguing. Thanks to Chris’ winemaking experience and the taste buds of Chief Tasting Officer Toby Turlay, Ducleaux’s wines are bold and badass.
Another top winery waiting to burst. The goal of Dossier is to create world-class wines and an exceptional tasting experience for wine lovers alike. In this pursuit, they truly have transformed words into actions, gaining a collection of unique talents to help them do so.
Founders and financial backers include former Seattle Seahawk and Super Bowl Champion Sydney Rice, as well as Tim Lenihan, who has implemented his double-decade real estate expertise. To achieve their goal of global excellence, they have given full winemaking reign to Billo Naravane. Billo has a Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science from MIT, as well as three Masters degrees, one of which is from UC Davis’ viticulture and enology program. The second is from the Institute of Masters of Wine, giving him rights to call himself a Master of Wine, an accolade only 516 people have celebrated since the institute’s creation in 1953.
Pursued by Bear was my first stop on the tour. The name and the story are absolute treasures. Born in Yakima Valley, WA, Kyle MacLachlan, star of the cult classic show Twin Peaks which was filmed in Washington, couldn’t shake the Pacific Northwest, even after Hollywood cast its glow. So he returned, and created Pursued by Bear, an homage to his early years of acting when, early after college graduation, he acted as Romeo in the famous play at the Ashland Shakespeare Festival.
“Bard of Avon”, or Shakespere, as he is known to most, famously called for a bear to appear on stage in the tragicomedy, “A Winter’s Tale.” The reason for that specific call to action is unknown, however, it inspired Kyle to consider the similarities between acting and winemaking – both require dedication and some magic. Thus, the name was etched into the hills of the Walla Walla Valley. The simple elegance behind his portfolio is a wonderful story that threads the history of wine and its place in our culture.
What do you get when a couple who has a taste for the finer things in life also has a taste for the finer wines in life? Kinhaven wines. Cameron and Kasy Davenport, winemakers and partners of Kinhaven, enjoyed their own careers in high-end hospitality before eventually marrying and moving to Walla Walla to become winemakers for Kinhaven. Their grapes are harvested from vines that are over 20 years old, adding great complexity and concentrated flavors. The Carmenere stuck with me beyond the event and was reason enough alone to visit their tasting room soon.
As impressive as the wines were, the family aspect — like many of the wineries at Walla Walla on Tour — was undeniable. Cameron and Kasy work alongside Kasey’s parents, Lisa and Terry Davenport. The family not only produces exceptional wines from small plots of land, but has also created a reputation as a high-end vacation destination.
Walla Walla Wine on Tour 2025 will continue their travels until April 13, stopping in the Pacific Northwest cities of Portland, OR; Boise, ID; and Spokane; WA.