Walla Walla: Wine, Alpacas, and a Little Bit of Heavy Metal
- Joey Amato
- 50 minutes ago
- 4 min read
There's a particular kind of magic that happens when a small town decides to throw open its doors — not just to visitors, but to everyone. Walla Walla has long been celebrated as one of the Pacific Northwest's premier LGBTQ-welcoming wine destinations, but beyond its acclaimed vineyards lies a welcoming community that embraces creativity, diversity and authentic hospitality. My second visit centered around the annual Blood of the Gods Festival. I discovered a destination where exceptional food and wine, artistic expression and genuine inclusivity come together to create an unforgettable getaway for LGBTQ+ travelers.
Whether you're planning a romantic weekend, a culinary adventure with friends or simply searching for a destination that celebrates individuality, Walla Walla offers the perfect blend of sophistication and small-town charm.
I came to town for the Blood of the Gods Festival and left with a much fuller picture of a community that takes inclusivity as seriously as it takes its wine.
Every good trip starts with the right homebase, and in Walla Walla that space belongs to The GG Mansion & Inn an intimate boutique property that perfectly captures Walla Walla's relaxed elegance. Located just minutes from downtown, the beautifully restored mansion combines modern comforts with historic character.
Each room has its own personality, featuring thoughtful design touches, luxurious bedding and inviting common spaces that encourage guests to unwind after a day of wine tasting. Mornings begin with locally inspired breakfast offerings before guests head out to explore the valley.
The GG's personalized hospitality makes visitors feel less like hotel guests and more like friends staying in an elegant home. It's an ideal choice for couples seeking a romantic escape or travelers looking for a peaceful retreat close to downtown attractions.
The Blood of the Gods Festival is Walla Walla's annual excuse to let its hair down. This year’s festivities took place at the Marcus Whitman Hotel and were filled with music, edgy fashion, wine, and an infectious sense of community pride. I never would have thought a festival combining heavy metal music and wine existed, but in Walla Walla, anything can happen.
I wanted to embrace the music theme of my visit, so I was able to arrange a personal tour of Walla Walla Guitar Company. Even those with limited knowledge of guitar, like me, can appreciate the artistry involved in creating these handcrafted instruments. Skilled craftspeople transform raw wood into beautifully finished guitars providing a fascinating glimpse into the dedication and precision required for each instrument. Every guitar tells its own story, reflecting both craftsmanship and passion.
Another unique experience is a visit to East Alder Table for a hands-on cooking class. The kitchen here is warm, communal, and unfussy — instructors walk you through seasonal, ingredient-driven dishes using produce sourced from the surrounding valley, and the whole experience feels less like a lesson and more like cooking with friends who happen to be excellent chefs. Sitting down afterward to eat what we'd just made, glasses of local wine in hand, was the kind of unhurried, connective evening that makes small-town travel so rewarding.
Walla Walla's wine scene is the main event for most visitors, and it's here that the town's inclusivity really shines through. Foundry Vineyards is worth the visit as is August Forest, an LGBTQ-owned label. There's something quietly powerful about sipping a beautifully made wine knowing it was crafted by someone building a life and a business authentically, in a region that has embraced them for it. August Forest's wines carry the thoughtful, detail-oriented character you'd expect from a small producer pouring genuine passion into every bottle, and supporting queer-owned wineries like this one is one of the easiest, most delicious ways to travel with intention.
For a completely different kind of Walla Walla charm, I carved out an afternoon for Old Homestead Alpacas, a small farm perched on the last ten acres of a homestead first settled back in 1870. The farm raises a herd of suri alpacas, and a visit here feels like stepping into a gentler pace of life entirely. I had the chance to hand-feed the beautifully curious, fluffy faces while I learned about how to care for them. The farm grows its own natural dye plants which are used to create a genuinely limited-edition collection of hats, scarves, and mittens. It's a wonderfully grounding stop between wine tastings, and a reminder that Walla Walla's charm runs deeper than its vineyards.
No trip to the valley is complete without a slow afternoon in Waitsburg, the tiny historic town just twenty minutes northeast of Walla Walla. With its brick storefronts, converted grain elevators, and a Main Street that looks plucked from another century. One of the culinary highlights of our visit was dinner at Bar Bacetto. The intimate restaurant has quickly earned a reputation for inventive cuisine inspired by Italian traditions while showcasing Pacific Northwest ingredients. Every dish demonstrated remarkable attention to detail, balancing bold flavors with elegant presentation. On my visit, I tried a variety of incredible dishes, but the standout was the Tagliarini, a homemade pasta served with Italian Black Truffle. Need I say more?
The menu encourages sharing, making it easy to sample multiple creations while pairing each course with outstanding local wines. The warm service and inviting atmosphere make Bar Bacetto equally suitable for date nights, celebrations or memorable evenings with friends.
Following dinner, we continued the evening at Royal Block, one of downtown's stylish gathering places. Whether enjoying handcrafted cocktails, local wines or simply relaxing with friends, the venue provides a sophisticated yet approachable setting with a museum quality art collection.
Although Walla Walla is a relatively small city, it has earned a reputation for being increasingly inclusive and supportive of LGBTQ+ visitors and residents alike. Throughout downtown, businesses proudly embrace diversity, creating an environment where authenticity is celebrated rather than questioned.
Many local wineries, restaurants and boutique businesses foster welcoming spaces for all guests, and the city's growing arts community further reinforces its progressive spirit. Rather than relying on a designated LGBTQ+ district, Walla Walla's inclusivity is woven naturally into the fabric of everyday life.
That welcoming attitude is one of the reasons the destination continues to gain popularity among LGBTQ+ travelers seeking a relaxed alternative to larger metropolitan wine regions.
