![]() The lake trail starts at the Mill Creek Recreation Area and has picturesque views of the snow-capped Blue Mountains south of town, plus you can extend your run on spurs off the main trail. Just two miles east of Walla Walla, Bennington Lake is a 50-plus acre reservoir encircled by rolling hills of gravel roads. Two locals share their favorite places to get outside, fill up on good food, and spend time in town. But wide open spaces, hundreds of miles of running trails and surrounding picturesque hills and mountains render it an underrated gem for trail running and other outdoor adventures. It helps that the boundaries of this region are so tightly drawn around primarily one single soil type – the only AVA in the US to do so.On the very edge of southeastern Washington, Walla Walla is known for being one of the best wine destinations in the country with more than 120 local wineries. We talk about terroir all the time, but I don’t think I’ve ever tasted it as profoundly as I have in the wines from this region. These rocks provide drainage, temperature moderation, and impart distinctive sensory characteristics to the grape. The vineyards here are special: large rocks as big as your fist create a unique growing environment for the vines. ![]() If you want to taste terroir, this is the place to go. Whatever it is – as soon as you try a wine from this region, you’re sure to recognize what I’m talking about. I kept finding myself describing these unique aromas as “muddy horse hoofs” (don’t ask me when I last smelled or tasted those though!) Others referred to it as “earthy minerality”, “forest floor” and “mud”. ![]() They’re immediately recognizable for their earthy sort of “funk” present in the wines. Here, soil is crucial to the wines – the region produces some of the most terroir-driven, distinctive wines in the world. This place is a community – a community ready to welcome you in.Įncompassed wholly within the Walla Walla Valley is the sub-AVA of the Rocks District of Milton Freewater. While here, you can still feel the agricultural roots and hometown vibes in everything they do. Nearly 3,000 acres of prime vineyards and more than 120 remarkable wineries are just the most recent expression of a rich farming heritage. Today, it still abounds with crisp apples, juicy strawberries, tender asparagus, sumptuous sweet onions, and a cornucopia of other vibrant produce – not to mention WINE. Home to some of the most terroir-driven wines in the U.S, the Walla Walla Valley has also been an agricultural hub for more than a century. I knew wholeheartedly that it was a region I wanted to see in person, so I could better understand the terroir and people who created these wines. ![]() At that time, I was blown away by the wines’ expressive qualities and unique nuances and complexities. I first became really aware of Walla Walla’s incredible wineries two years ago when I was invited on a virtual “trip” to the region. But hidden beneath its unassuming smalltown exterior is a charm that’s just waiting to emerge and take you by surprise. At first glance, Walla Walla may seem like just another snug, cozy little town.
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