About

About the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance

The Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance was founded in 2001 by the winemaking and winegrowing industry as a nonprofit membership marketing association who knew that success in marketing the Walla Walla Valley Wine Region could be found through a collaborative effort. Today, our values remain focused on Valley-wide success through collaboration of our nearly 150 members and community partners.

The primary mission of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance is to build an internationally acclaimed Walla Walla Valley wine brand among consumers, media and trade by providing marketing programs on behalf of member wineries, vineyards, and partners. The Wine Alliance functions as the leading informational resource for consumers, media and members of the trade interested in learning more about the Valley’s wine industry.

The Economic Impact of the Walla Walla Wine Industry

In 2019 a study was completed to estimate the economic impact of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Industry and further understand visitation. The study found that tourism for wine accounts for $146M in visitor spending in the Walla Walla Valley, $60M of which on wine purchases. Additionally, the industry at large estimates $430M in business sales, 2,484 jobs with $114M in labor income. Wineries and tasting rooms account for 519 direct jobs and $26.62M in labor income. The study estimated $17.4M in state and local tax revenue.

The study estimated 503,874 visits to Walla Walla wineries and tasting rooms in 2018. The average wine visitor visits nearly two times per year, spends three days in the Valley, and visits nearly 7 wineries per visit.

Download the Economic Impact of the Walla Walla Wine Industry report HERE.

Wine Alliance Structure

As a nonprofit membership association, the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance is overseen by a board of directors who are voted in by the Winery and Grower Members. There is a Marketing Committee which is made up of winery member representatives who help staff brainstorm marketing programs.

Funding sources come from membership dues, advertising through the annual Winery Guide, events and sponsorships, tourism grants from the Port of Walla Walla, and 10% of the City’s Lodging Tax Funds.

Board of Directors

Jordan Small
Woodward Canyon Winery
Large Winery Seat
Board President

Jason Fox
Lagana Cellars
Small Winery Seat
Board Vice President
Membership Committee Chair

Eric McKibben
Amavi Cellars & Pepper Bridge Winery
Estate Winery Seat
Board Treasurer

Katie von Bargen
Gramercy Cellars
Large Winery Seat
Board Secretary

Kai Itämeri
Garrison Creek Cellars
Small Winery Seat
Marketing Committee Chair

Jesus Martinez Bujanda Mora
Valdemar Estates
Small Winery Seat
Celebrate Committee Chair

Katie Davis
Tranche & Corliss
Large Winery Seat

Trevor Dorland 
Bionic Wines
Large Winery Seat

Brad Sorensen
Les Collines Vineyard
Grower Seat

Wine Alliance Team

Liz Knapke
Executive Director
E: liz@wallawallawine.com

Tracy Parmer
Development Manager
E: tracy@wallawallawine.com

Jeff Hickenlooper
Marketing Manager
E: jeff@wallawallawine.com