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Nestled along the slopes of the Blue Mountains is the state's newest wine region - the Walla Walla Valley.

Something about this quaint, historical rural area has attracted the attention of wine lovers around the nation.

The world-class red wines of Leonetti, Woodward Canyon and others have fueled the Valley wineries' burgeoning growth.

Just four wineries took part in the first Walla Walla Valley open house a decade ago; now, 20 are taking part to varying degrees over the next two weekends. In a few more years, a dozen more wineries could join the fold.

The distinct characteristics of the Valley's wines have spawned development of hospitality businesses, including lodgings and restaurants.

Four of the wineries, Seven Hills, Glen Fiona, Waterbrook and Cayuse, have wineries next door to restaurants in downtown Walla Walla.

Saturday and Sunday feature an open house, tied chiefly to Leonetti's once-a-year tasting for its customers. On May 12-13, the wineries will be part of the Walla Walla balloon stampede.

Hours vary, but most wineries will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, although some will have shorter hours or won't stay open all four days.

Here's a tip: Instead of trying to visit all the better-known wineries, try Russell Creek, Tamarack Cellars, Reininger, Yellow Hawk Cellar, Spring Valley, Bunchgrass Winery or some of the other small producers.

The best bet is to get a new Wineries of the Walla Walla Valley map at the first winery you visit. Most wineries will furnish glasses for tasting, but it's OK to bring your own.

These wineries are participating in the annual event:

Seven Hills Winery is well established in its new facility in downtown Walla Walla, next door to the new Whitehouse Crawford restaurant.

New releases include 1998 Walla Walla Valley cabernet sauvignon reserve, 1999 Walla Walla Valley syrah and its 1999 Columbia Valley syrah. Other wines are 2000 riesling and the 2000 Oregon pinot gris.

Glen Fiona makes only syrahs and has moved its tasting room to the historic downtown railroad depot next to Jacoby's Restaurant.

Featured wines include 2000 Columbia Valley syrah, 1999 Walla Walla Valley syrah and the 1998 basket press reserve syrah.

Waterbrook in downtown Walla Walla on Main Street will feature its popular 2000 viognier, 1999 sauvignon blanc 1999 chardonnay, 1999 red table wine and the 1998 meritage red from Red Mountain.

Cayuse Vineyards in downtown Walla Walla is serving the 1999 Walla Walla Valley syrah from the bottle and barrel sampling the 2000 viognier and the 1999 Cailloux Vineyard syrah.

Canoe Ridge will be offering its limited-quantity 1998 reserve merlot, the 1998 cabernet sauvignon, 1999 chardonnay and the 2000 gewürztraminer.

The winery is in a historic railroad engine repair facility near downtown Walla Walla.

Leonetti Cellar will hold its spring release weekend for customers who buy wine from its mailing list. Names will be checked at the gate, and only those who have purchased wine will be admitted.

The winery has produced four new wines, a 1999 merlot, 1999 sangiovese, 1998 cabernet sauvignon and a 1998 reserve cabernet sauvignon.

A new entry road has been made for Leonetti by Alder Street and Berney Drive. This is the only Valley winery that is restricting visitors.

Dunham Cellars will be open Saturday and Sunday, but not the following weekend.

A new home is planned for next year, but the winery will be operating at the Walla Walla airport this year.

The only wine to be poured is the new 1999 cabernet sauvignon.

Trey Marie Winery is a new winery by the Dunham and Syre families. It will be opened both weekends at the airport and serving its 1999 Trutina, a red blend of 54 percent merlot, 32 percent cabernet sauvignon and 14 percent cabernet franc. The 2000 semillon will also be tasted.

Spring Valley Vineyards is about 10 miles from Walla Walla on the Middle Waitsburg Road. A 1999 red blend with the name of Uriah is the only wine available for tasting. It is 59 percent merlot, 35 percent cabernet franc and 6 percent petit verdot.

Yellow Hawk Cellars is a small new winery about two miles north of Walla Walla via Third Avenue on Yellow Hawk Road. Wines will be a 1999 Walla Walla Valley sangiovese and a 2000 Columbia Valley muscat canelli.

The winery will be open Saturday and Sunday and again May 12.

Pepper Bridge Winery is brand new and will offer its 1998 cabernet sauvignon for tasting from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The winery is four miles south of Walla Walla. Take Highway 125 toward Milton-Freewater, turning left at Stateline Road, then take the first left onto Pepper Road and the first right on JB George Road.

Woodward Canyon is the first winery to reach on Highway 12 heading toward Walla Walla.

Featured wines include the prestigious old vines cabernet sauvignon 1998 vintage, 1999 Columbia Valley merlot, 1998 Charbonneau red blend, 2000 rose of cabernet franc and the 1999 Celilo chardonnay.

L'Ecole No. 41 will be showing off its expanded new tasting room. Wines available include 1999 Seven Hills merlot, 1999 Columbia Valley merlot, 1999 Seven Hills syrah, 1998 Walla Walla Valley cabernet sauvignon and 2000 Walla Viola chenin blanc.

The winery is next door to Woodward Canyon.

Three Rivers Winery has a three-hole golf course off Highway 12 near the Whitman Mission. Wines for tasting include 1999 merlot, 1999 sangiovese, 1999 syrah and the 2000 late-harvest gewürztraminer.

Walla Walla Vintners will be open Saturday and Sunday and again May 12.

Featured wines include 1999 Walla Walla Valley cabernet franc, 1999 Walla Walla Valley merlot and the 1999 Columbia Valley sangiovese.

The winery is on Mill Creek Road east of the airport.

Bunchgrass Winery is serving its 1999 Founders blend of 51 percent cabernet franc, 43 percent merlot and 5.6 percent cabernet sauvignon.

It is also pouring its 1998 Walla Walla Valley cabernet sauvignon. The winery is off of Highway 12, just past the turnoff to College Place.

Tamarack Cellars at the Walla Walla airport will feature its 1999 merlot and 1999 red table wines made of syrah and cabernet sauvignon.

Reininger is another Walla Walla airport winery. Featured wines include 1999 syrah 1998 merlot and a collection of cheeses.

Russell Creek will be serving its 1999 Columbia Valley merlot and its 1999 Seven Hills reserve merlot at the airport.

Patrick M. Paul on Schoolhouse Avenue will be featuring its 1999 Connor Lee Vinyard merlot and a 1998 cabernet sauvignon.

Bob Woehler has been writing about grapes and wines of the Pacific Northwest since 1978. His columns appear twice monthly in the Tri-City Herald in Tri-Cities, Wash. and in Wine Press Northwest.

Send e-mail to Bob Woehler

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