Mid to late 1800s
Early Italian immigrants brought with them to Walla Walla their tradition of growing, making and drinking wine. They planted wine grapes and began making homemade wine. Vines with these origins still exist in the Valley today.
1950
The Pesciallo family bonded Blue Mountain Vineyards, the first post-prohibition winery in the Walla Walla Valley. They produced Black Prince and other Italian varietals for several years before succumbing to economics and climate.
Early 1970s
At a time when the Walla Walla Valley’s main crops were wheat and sweet onions, the area’s winemaking pioneers began seeing great potential for grape-growing in the Valley’s soils and slopes. They thought that, with its long history of fruit growing, moderate climate, winemaking heritage, and unique terrain, Walla Walla Valley would be a great place to grow vines and make wine on a commercial scale.
1974
With the help of his uncles, local machinist Gary Figgins planted a modest acre of Cabernet Sauvignon and a several rows of White Riesling.
1977
Figgins bonded Leonetti Cellar, the first winery bonded in the Valley since the Pesciallo family’s Blue Mountain Vineyards.
1981
The first vines of Seven Hills Vineyard were planted in Oregon by Jim McClennan and Herb Hendricks.
The second winery in the Valley – Woodward Canyon Winery – was bonded this year by Rick Small. Small also started with a small estate vineyard, planted on his family’s land in 1976. Close friends, Small and Figgins worked together to build a reputation of producing high quality wines.
1983
Baker and Jean Ferguson founded Walla Walla’s third winery. Bonded in 1983, L’Ecole Nº 41 is housed in the historic Lowden Schoolhouse right next door to Woodward Canyon.
February 6, 1984
The early vintners and growers of the region applied for and received approval of the Walla Walla Valley as a unique American Viticultural Area (AVA). With just four wineries and 60 acres of vineyards, it became the third AVA in Washington State.
Waterbrook Winery was bonded as the fourth winery in the Walla Walla Valley.
1988
With the additions of Seven Hills Winery and Patrick M. Paul Vineyards, there were a total of six wineries in the Walla Walla Valley AVA. These early wineries were small operations but were committed to working together to make wines of the highest quality, a tradition that would continue to define the Walla Walla Valley.
1990
The six wineries and 100 acres of vineyards in the Valley were beginning to gain recognition for the quality wines they were producing. Simultaneously, a global “wine renaissance” was happening.
Early 1990s
More grapevines were being planted, and the Valley’s second large-scale vineyard, Pepper Bridge, was established by Norm McKibben.
A group of local investors, working closely with the Napa based Chalone Wine Group, laid the foundation for Canoe Ridge Vineyard, the Valley’s first winery supported in part by a major outside investor.
1995
At this time there were only seven bonded wineries in the Walla Walla Valley; however, this year marked the beginning of the second wave of winemakers and growers to join the Walla Walla wine industry. Growth in the industry was beginning to speed up, and by the end of the 1995, there were a total of 11 wineries.
1998
Growth in the wine industry continued, and by the end of 1998 the number of wineries in the Valley had already grown to 20.
2000
Walla Walla Community College Enology and Viticulture Program was founded. Designed as a wine education and training program, courses specialized in winemaking and viticultural practices, as well as wine marketing. The program would grow into a new facility complete with full-production teaching winery as well as its own vineyards.
2001
The Walla Walla Valley wine industry had grown to over 30 wineries and 800 acres of vineyards. This year marked the formation of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance, which represented 100% of the Valley’s wineries and 98% of its planted acreage.
2004
This year marked the formation of VINEA, The Winegrowers’ Sustainable Trust – a voluntary effort among Walla Walla growers and winemakers to use sustainable practices in the production of grapes and wine.
The number of wineries in the Walla Walla Valley had grown to 70 with planted acreage was continuing to increase as well.
2008
It has now been 31 years since Leonetti Cellar was bonded. Today, more than 90 wineries and 1,600 acres of grapes contribute to the ever-growing, national and international acclaim garnered by the wines of Walla Walla Valley.
