As the air crisps and the leaves begin to turn, Autumn inches closer. And with that is one of the most wonderful times to visit Walla Walla, Washington: Fall Release Weekend!
During the first weekend of November each year (November 3-5, 2023), wineries showcase their newest releases – often wines that are exclusively available at the tasting room or winery – and host a myriad of events.
Opportunities to meet with winemakers offer wine connoisseurs and casual imbibers alike insight into what made this vintage unique. And each Walla Walla Wine District (Downtown, Westside, Airport, Eastside, Southside, and across the border in Oregon) offer visitors a different ambiance and distinctive experience. No matter how you pour it, Fall Release proves to be an action-packed weekend throughout the community.
Walla Walla Wine – Fall Release Weekend
Our friends at Walla Walla Valley Wine have created a great directory for you to peruse individual wineries and to help you in planning the “wine” portion of your Fall Release Weekend in Walla Walla itinerary.
And this year, Walla Walla wineries have put together a beautiful arrangement of Fall Release events and live music performances. Explore new releases with events at Dunham Cellars, Long Shadows, and many more. Perhaps sip new wines while listening to new blues at Gard Vintners. Or enjoy music by some Walla Walla locals perfectly paired with Henry Earl Estate Wines.
Where to Stay
From charming vacation rentals to luxurious resorts, Walla Walla offers a variety of accommodations to explore on your Fall Release getaway. Many of the boutique lodging properties book up quickly, so it pays to research and plan your stay well in advance. For example, The Inn at Abeja is allows reservations as far as 12 months in advance. While Fall Release Weekend is certainly a marquee reason to visit Walla Walla, you could plan your visit for the week before or after the bigger event. Mid-week stays tend to accommodate a broader selection of lodging availability AND most everything you enjoy doing on a weekend is also open mid-week. If you’re curious about mid-week getaways, be sure to check out our post all about why now is the best time to stay in Walla Walla mid-week.
Insider Tip: Our Plan Your Stay tool allows you to conveniently search for lodging properties and pricing for the dates of your visit.
Dining Options
Like lodging properties, some of the most coveted spots (and time-slots) for dinner are reserved well in advance for Fall Release Weekend. Research your must-stops ahead of time, call ahead, and take advantage of tools like Resy’s “notify me” to get on a waitlist if your favorite restaurant happens to be booked for the time and date you desire. If you’re flexible on reservation times, earlier or later reservations tend to be more easily accessible as the event draws closer. Most of your favorite fine dining establishments in Walla Walla boast a robust local wine list so you don’t need to cut your Walla Walla wine tasting experiences too short by booking that 5pm dinner reservation!
Don’t have a favorite restaurant yet or want to try something new? Try out The Kinglet! Brought to you by James Beard-nominated Chef Maximillian Petty of Eden Hill and Big Max Burger Co, Chef Petty and his talented culinary team are serving up beautiful, seasonal dishes in a restaurant space that exudes a feeling of grandeur with it’s enormous windows and exposed brick. Come and expand your palate!
Come for the wine, but stay for everything else…
A host of community events, activities, and outdoor recreation tend to coincide with Fall Release Weekend as well, so your Fall Release Weekend in Walla Walla needn’t be relegated to simply wine tasting! Take in a show at the Gesa Power House Theatre, or enjoy a fall round of golf at Wine Valley Golf Club or Veteran’s Memorial Golf Course. If the weather isn’t cooperative for 18 holes outside, check out Divots and play some of the top courses in the world, virtually! Take a self-guided tour of the Whitman Art Sculptures or visit a variety of art galleries downtown.
Fall Release Weekend is a Wonderful Time to Get Away to Walla Walla Wine Country
As you can see, a world of Walla Walla wine, food, recreation and more is waiting for you. If you’re looking to plan your getaway to Walla Walla, Washington as a respite for all things wine, Fall Release Weekend is a terrific time to do it.