This Region in Washington Is the Perfect Dupe for Napa Valley

I can only go a few days without drizzle before sun-soaked fantasies start swirling in my head — idyllic small towns, produce so fresh it practically bursts with flavor, award-winning restaurants where diners travel hours for the chance at evening reservations, a chilled glass of white wine, and the soft rustle of grapevines. If you thought I was describing Napa Valley, you're only partially right. In fact, I'm talking about both Napa and Walla Walla Valley — Washington's very own premier wine country.

Don't get me wrong: Napa deserves its place on your travel bucket list. Still, if you're craving a getaway that offers the same blend of pastoral beauty, small-town charm, and world-class wines, without the crowds or the eye-watering ticket fare, it's high time you headed to Walla Walla, one of the Evergreen State's most underrated gems.

At a glance, you'd be forgiven for confusing photos of Napa and Walla Walla valleys. The similarities go beyond just aesthetics. Both regions boast breathtaking landscapes — rolling hills, rugged mountain backdrops, and sun-drenched summers — that provide the perfect conditions for growing the tangy-sweet grapes destined to mature into exceptional wines. And though California's viniculture tradition is admittedly a little older than Walla Walla's, the gap isn't as big as you'd think.

Napa's viticulture dates back to 1839, when seasoned ranchero George Calvert Yount planted the region's first grapevines. Walla Walla entered the winemaking scene just a few decades later, in the 1850s. And here's a fact that will have wine snobs reeling: Walla Walla's vineyards might be more authentic than Napa's.

That's because its earliest wineries were founded by Italian immigrants — veterans of old-world viniculture who recognized the valley's potential and brought their vast knowledge with them. While Napa's rise to international acclaim is largely due to its early and savvy self-promotion, Walla Walla's wines remained a well-kept local secret for over a century. It wasn't until the 1970s, with the opening of the first commercial winery, that the world began to take notice, by which time Californian wines had already been a fixture in global markets for years.

What is it about wine production that seems to effortlessly foster vibrant communities? Just like the picturesque rural towns you'll find speckled throughout California's wine country, Walla Walla Valley boasts its own vibrant hub of crave-worthy dining, enviable shopping, arts, and live events. This is, of course, Walla Walla—a regional gem that always comes to mind when I write about Washington's best in-state destinations.

Whether the entirety of your trip is dedicated to wine or you simply plan on integrating some tastings into a booked-and-busy itinerary of window-shopping and epic hiking, Walla Walla offers the perfect base for your next adventure at a price tag Napa Valley can't touch.

No one's arguing that you should knock Napa Valley off your "must-visit" list, but if, like me, you've been fantasizing about nurturing a chill glass of chardonnay on a sizzling summer day or the romance of verdant vineyards, you ought to plan an escape to Washington's own wine lover's haven: Walla Walla Valley. This stunning spot captures the highlights of California wine country while maintaining a spirit and tradition all its own. Plus, by skipping the airfare and Napa's sky-high prices, you'll free up both your budget and your energy, meaning sips of wine you'll savor, not slurps to forget your flight.