Overview: The Bledsoe Family Winery is set to open a new tasting room in Walla Walla, Washington, on Saturday, Aug. 29 from 5-8 p.m. Owner Drew Bledsoe and CEO Josh McDaniels aim to transform the location into a destination for wine enthusiasts.
The Full Story
The new tasting room in Walla Walla is hosting a grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 29 from 5-8 p.m. At the heart of the new venture are Drew Bledsoe and CEO and Director of Wine Making Josh McDaniels, two Walla Walla natives on a mission to build a tasting room that focuses on creating a memorable experience. The facility features outdoor picnic tables and yard games to enhance visitor experience.
Drew Bledsoe came into the spotlight as a quarterback at Washington State University. He went on to be the number one overall pick in the 1993 NFL draft by the New England Patriots, and helped turn the team into the powerhouse it is today. His stats include four Pro Bowls, a Super Bowl appearance, a place in the New England Patriots Hall of Fame and securing the 17th spot in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the World 2024 list with his 2023 Bledsoe Family Cabernet Sauvignon. He retired in 2007, coming home to Walla Walla and helping to put a national spotlight on the growing winery scene.
Production & Profile
The Bledsoe Family Winery produces several award-winning wines. Tasting flights are $20 per person and include the 2025 Walla Walla Chardonnay, 2024 Estate Red Wine, 2024 Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2024 Stolen Horse Syrah. Available only in the tasting room is a state-grown sparkling wine.
Glasses are available of the 2025 Healy Rose, $16, 2025 Elizabeth Chardonnay, $17, 2024 Cabernet Sauvignon, $17, 2023 Flying BEstate Syrah, $20, and the 2023 Bob Healy Reserve, $30. Light bites are offered as well, ranging from the Charcuterie Plate, $30, to the Mini Charcuterie, $15.
Brand & Industry History
Bledsoe’s grandfather settled in eastern Washington, buying a ranch and planting roots. Bledsoe opened his first winery, Doubleback, in 2007. When his partner left the business, his protégé, McDaniels, stepped up. For McDaniels, the interest in wine making can be traced back to before he could legally drink it. He was still in high school when he started his first winery, according to the Bledsoe Family Winery website.
What This Means
McDaniels said, “It’s really trying to break down a lot of those stigmas (around wine) and just have fun with it.” The outdoor setup is complete with picnic tables and yard games. That feeling is amplified by the picnic tables out back, corn hole boards set up and the quiet you can only enjoy out in the middle of nowhere. McDaniels said, “I did a dinner there for the first time, and it’s like we forget that’s what wine is about. The memories that come with it and the experiences you have. Wine is the complement to that. We want to enhance people’s lives.”
Consumer Takeaway
The cost is waived with a two bottle purchase or Inner Circle Club sign up per person. Walk-ins are welcome, but large groups may want to call ahead. Just past the focal point of the room are windows that slide open to reveal the backyard. The horizon is the mountains, but you can watch farmers work and admire the vineyards. You can find the tasting room at 3599 Peppers Bridge Rd., Walla Walla.
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