By Vicki Hillhouse
Electric and hybrid vehicle owners powering up for a visit to Walla Walla wine country have a range of options when it comes to a trip that recharges — literally and figuratively.
An array of hotels, wineries and public institutions offer charging stations as a complimentary amenity or service. Analysts expect demand to continue, predicting as many as one in four cars sold in the U.S. in 2025 will be electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid.
While charging infrastructure is ever changing — check websites, apps and directly with businesses for updates on availability — guests can curate a destination visit to stay, sip and explore without range anxiety.
The vast majority of chargers in and around Walla Walla are Level 2. With no shortage of places to see and things to do, visitors can discover new opportunities while their vehicles charge.
So, pull up, plug in and enjoy a quintessential Walla Walla experience with fuel economy and reduced emissions.
Where to stay:
If eco-friendly amenities are part of your itinerary, consider a stay at The Barn B&B. Environmentally friendly practices are incorporated at the seven-suite boutique hotel. That includes three Level 2 chargers for guests, as well as compostable ice bags, bamboo toilet paper, septic-friendly cleaning products and waste-reduction measures. Take a dip in the heated pool, enjoy a bocce ball match or indulge in your suite’s private Zen garden with outdoor shower while you charge.
The historic Marcus Whitman Hotel, 6 W. Rose St., is replacing its previous three chargers and expanding with seven more, for a total of 10. Installation is expected to be complete by May 2025. But guests staying at the grand hotel may find all they need for a memorable visit within walking distance. Four tasting rooms operate at the hotel, which is also home to fine dining at The Marc Restaurant. Just steps to Main Street, guests can explore Walla Walla’s one-of-a-kind retail shops, tasting rooms and restaurants.
For a luxurious farmstead experience, find The Inn at Abeja, 2014 Mill Creek Road. A Tesla charging station is among the amenities — along with a working winery and renowned dining experience — at the 38-acre site. Wander through the property’s dreamy gardens and vineyards for unbeatable views.
Looking for a more traditional hotel experience? La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham greets westbound visitors traveling on U.S. Highway 12. With electric and Tesla charging stations, the hotel offers comfort with a spacious seating area to play games, relax with a book or enjoy a glass of wine while you recharge.
Across town, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton sits across from one of Walla Walla’s most multifaceted parks. While you charge at one of its two stations, head over for disc golf at Fort Walla Walla Park, or trek further to wander through the vast park’s 70-acre wildlife preserve. Don’t forget to make a stop at Fort Walla Walla Museum on Myra Road for history of the area.
Where to sip:
If your visit centers around wine, you can charge while you taste.
Plan a tasting experience at The Walls, where the wine brand puts a Walla Walla spin on Rhone, Bordeaux and Portuguese varieties. Open daily with a full seasonal lunch menu, the winery features a charging station for its electrified guests.
At the Airport District, Dunham Cellars remains a pioneer of the local EV movement as one of the Valley’s first wineries to install an EV charger. Open daily, the winery features a Tesla charging station for guests. Enjoy a tasting experience on the manicured courtyard or inside the 1942-era building that originally served as a hangar during the airport’s days as a World War II U.S. Army Air Base.
Veer to the Southside for tasting and powering up among the neat rows of a cluster of estate wineries.
Amavi Cellars includes options for indoor tastings, an experience on the east deck or patio bottle service, with stunning views all around and two Tesla charging stations. Sibling winery Pepper Bridge Winery, also has a Tesla charging station, in alignment with the operation’s commitment to sustainability. Follow the winding path through vineyards to the lot and see if you can spot Walla Walla County’s largest photovoltaic solar array — 378 ground-mounted panels that produce 70% of the winery’s energy needs.
EV charging is also among the amenities for those visiting Caprio Cellars, 1603 Whiteley Road. Known for its scratch-made fare highlighting seasonal ingredients as well as its Bordeaux blends, the winery hosts four daily tastings.
Venture to Isenhower Cellars, 3471 Pranger Road, where the majority of the wines are from single vineyards. Enjoy tasting at the winery’s signature green barn or the beautifully kept grounds while your vehicle charges.
Where else:
If you should need a charge and aren’t a guest of one of the aforementioned spots, Walla Walla has several spots to pull in and power up.
For the fastest charge in town, head to Columbia Rural Electric Association at 2929 Melrose St. The rural electric co-op welcomes visitors to its solar EV charging carport at the southern end of its customer parking area in front of the building’s main entrance. The pay-to-use system includes a 100-kilowatt fast charger, as well as two Level 2 chargers. A block south, College Cellars of Walla Walla operates at the Walla Walla Community College corner of Isaacs Avenue and Tausick Way. A bit further, you can follow the Mill Creek recreation trail for a walk that loops around Rooks Park.
Similarly, the Walla Walla Community College campus offers a solar charging carport with eight free stations at the William A. Grant Water & Environmental Center. Use these during the weekdays because they’re not accessible on weekends. Instead, turn to the Automotive Center Technology Center, 3060 Isaacs Ave. The building offers a single charger free to the public.
Other chargers can be found outside of school hours at Pioneer Middle School, 483 Bridge St., located in the lot next to the school’s track and field, and at Walla Walla High School, 672 Abbott Road, which offers seven chargers and two plugs.
Whether you make an electrified destination route or charge as you need along the way, Walla Walla is the perfect place for an energizing visit.