Whitman Cellars

A boutique winery that produces about 5,000 cases per year, Whitman Cellars was established in 1998 by long-time Walla Walla residents and business owners John Edwards and Larry and Sally Thomason.

Using the facilities and personnel at Pepperbridge Winery in their early years, the trio crushed their first Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, blending it into a Meritage. They opened their first tasting room in 2001 to sell the ’98 and ’99 varietals, which were sold out by May of 2002. Four short years later they were named one of the 100 Best Wineries of the Year by Wine and Spirits Magazine for their overall consistency and quality of wine.

Tuscany Meets Walla Walla

Now housed in a beautiful Tuscan-style facility, Whitman Cellars offers a warm welcome with stucco-textured and stenciled walls adorned with paintings and photographs by local artists. Local potters also display their craft, and all are available for sale.

The facility, which opened in time for their 2002 Holiday Barrel Tasting weekend, is both a production site and a tasting room. While one of the most outstanding features of the facility is their friendly and knowledgeable staff, the beautiful windows embellishing the barrel room are just as memorable.

Wide Range of Flavorful Grapes

Sourcing grapes from local vineyards in the Walla Walla and Red Mountain appellations, Whitman Cellars holds the grapes in separate barrel lots until blending trials are complete.

Using Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Viognier, Cabernet Franc and Malbec grapes, the winery produces a Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Viognier and a Bordeaux-style blend. They are, however, best known for their Narcissa Red and a Cabernet-based Port.

Winemaker and partner Stephen Lessard came to the winery in 2002 with over a decade of experience with wineries throughout California and Washington, including Hedges Cellars where he worked for six years.

A graduate of Cal Poly State University who holds a food science degree, Stephen has worked alongside great winemaking talents including Rolando Herrera of Paul Hobbs and Warren Winiarski of Stag’s Leap. Stephen believes the most important word in describing his wines is balance, which is the harmonizing of the character of the varietal, the vineyard terroir, the structure and chemistry of the wine, and the integration of the oak to produce a wine of seamless depth and interest.

According to Tom Maccarone, owner and operator of T. Maccarone's, a local favorite Italian restaurant, "The consistent quality and reputation of Whitman Cellars wine is always an easy sell paired with our cuisine."

In the Heart of Walla Walla

With daily tastings (in the spring and summer) and pre-arranged tours offering an in-depth look at the winemaking process and barrel storage, Whitman Cellars offers a very accessible wine experience that caters to the wine enthusiast in all of us.

In addition to wine, the gift shop sells wine glasses and merchandise with the Whitman Cellars logo. With a downtown location that's within easy walking distance of other local attractions, including the Fort Walla Walla Museum and the restored Marcus Whitman Hotel, a visit to Whitman Cellars can turn into an entire afternoon of discovery.