Since Walla Walla, Washington is exactly 4 hours from Portland we pretty much had to take a couple days and road trip out to see Charles Smith and the crew at K Vintners. Following the incredibly scenic drive from Portland along the Columbia River Gorge, we arrived in Walla Walla late Sunday afternoon with just enough time to crush a cheese board and a few glasses of wine before they closed down the tasting room. Olson Kundig Architects did an outstanding job with Charles Smith's Walla Walla headquarters, a clear statement of the edgy industrial design that perfectly reflects the aesthetic of the brand.

In the morning we met with Charles' sufficiently rock'n'roll winemakers Andrew Latta (K Vintners) an Brennon Leighton (Charles Smith Wines) for breakfast at Bacon and Eggs. After chatting politics and Walla Walla history over coffee and breakfast cocktails for a few hours we headed out to the vineyards, had a barrel tasting at the winery, and then Charles caught up with us for some lunch at a convenience store taqueria. An all around authentically Walla Walla experience. Here some photographic highlights:

#Fact

Downtown Walla Walla tasting room.

A skid of Chateau Smith doubles as a coffee table.

Industrial @ellegentsia

Near-Condrieu-like awesomeness in this WA Viognier. Great cheese partner.

#HammerTime

Breakfast and cocktails with winemakers Andrew Latta and Brennon Leighton at Bacon and Eggs. A couple of good dudes.

Checking out the rocks vineyard Syrah with Andrew Latta.

Behold the K Syrahs...

K Syrah barrel tasting with Andrew Latta

K Vintners winery

Some 1 on 1 between punchdowns and barrel top-ups?

This barrel suffered a drive-by shooting outside their Walla Walla warehouse recently. Luckily the .45 Calibre bullet that came through the garage door didn't pierce the barrel, but ricocheted into the ceiling. That's bad-ass Syrah. **Also, no deaths from the drive-by...just injured gang members.

Walla Walla streets in K Vintners F-250...Ridin' high, rollin' up on the downlow.

Cervezas and taqos.

Charles Smith joins us for lunch at Dora's taqueria and convenience store. Fun ending to a Walla Walla road trip.