If you are flying into Walla Walla... definitely swing by Elegante and say Hi to Doug before heading to wherever you are going and pick up a bottle or 2 or 6. Elegante is about 1/4 mile or so from the airport. It's super close and easy to find. Doug is a hoot! He is nice and has all sorts of wisdom and stories to share. He once worked on a strawberry farm... his main career was a high school chemistry teacher and athletic director for many many years ...... and now that he is retired.... and has time on his hands... he's enjoying his other passion as a winemaker. We blew in on a cold blustery Sunday morning before our departing flight at Walla Walla. Elegante was one of the few wine tasting rooms/wineries in the Airport District that was open on Sunday morning. (There are quite a few in this area... but not all are open on Sunday.) We tried 6 different reds. All were beautifully crafted. All are 100% of a given varietal. Doug wants the grapes and terroir to shine on their own. We were especially taken with the Cab, Tempranillo and Syrah. Each was an excellent representation of their varietal while being easy to drink. There were no overpowering tannins or acidity. These wines were nicely balanced and had great fruit and earthy flavors but again were not overpowering in any direction. All these reds were reasonably priced at $44 each. He could charge more but he doesn't because he wants people to be able to enjoy really good wine at a reasonable price. Oh! And he doesn't bottle the same varietal every year. Nope... if he doesn't find the grapes he wants that meet his very high standards... he doesn't make the wine. I love that! Someone who cares more about his product than inventory and $$. He invited us back into the production area and the barrel room where we saw barrels marked with "Zin". This is going to be the first time he's making Zinfandel. I'm envious and excited for anyone who gets to try this. Highly recommend stopping in here. It hits all the marks that I look for in wine. It's small production. It's quaint. It's personal. It's really good. read more

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I definitely recommend stopping by and meeting Doug if you are in the area and tasting wines! He offers an all red tasting flight, and has a nice variety of wines. When we went, he had all single varietals, which was unique for this area. He also gave us a jock tour of his winery. We really enjoyed our tasting experience! read more

World class service with soft, smooth red wines. Elegante is on the edge of the airport district and is attractive, yet nondescript from the outside. Inside is an attractive, simple decor with a cute little dog and the nicest winery owner I've met. Doug accommodated us with our dog for a tasting, one of the very few in the area that would allow our pup inside. We were very appreciative. Doug taught for many years and is an excellent conversationalist. Honestly, you could come here for the conversation alone. The great wine is just a bonus! There may be a million Walla Walla wineries to visit, but we'd love to come back. read more

If you are in the search for 100% varietal, well aged, wines visit Elegante Cellars in the airport district! We enjoyed our wine tasting here (as we purchased three bottles) and all the knowledge of the wine making process Doug enlighten us with. Definitely would recommend a stop here to gain an appreciation for single varietal wines! read more

Doug (owner/wine maker) has become one of our favorites! He makes and award winning Sangiovese and we recently added a merlot to our top Elegante's. This is a small production / high quality wine maker, in it's own building on the Walla Walla airport property (amongst many there). He also has a "wine club" for preferential discounts on case sized purchases. Sidebar - He has a small Boston bull terrier dog named "Buddy" that will melt your heart and is featured in the coffee table book "Wine Dogs of Walla Walla"... One could spend all day at these many small airport area wineries - but DON'T MISS Elegante!! Added to my "I Hate Franchises" list. read more

"Very personable, sweet, and knowledgeable." "Good wine" "Breaking Good: Chemistry teacher turned vintner is passionate and friendly" These are the reactions of the group as we left Elegante' Cellars. First, the wine was superbly balanced and for a guy who does not drink Merlot, I bought 2 bottles. We stopped in when there was a lull in the action and Doug gave us a tour and told us about his passion. He does every step of the process himself, with the assistance of family and friends. You don't get more non-commercial than that. Truly a stellar example of the American Dream, I strongly suggest you experience Elegante' for yourself. read more

Elegante Cellars - Our group with winemaker and owner Doug Simmons - Wineries Near Me - Walla Walla, Washington

Doug aka the owner/maker/just all around guy- This guy doesn't try to bullshit you. Great wine, it's the absolute best in the airport part of town. All of his wines are truly amazing. Our goal was to get one bottle from every stop we hit up. When it came to Elegante we had such a hard choice we ended up getting two bottles since we couldn't make up our minds. Our choices were the Sangiovese 2009 and the Malbec 2009. But I'll tell you this anytime I stop by Walla Walla or pass through I'll be stopping by Elegante for sure. I've never purchased wine online or had it shipped but this may be the exception. If you choose not to stop by, you've loss the opportunity to have the best wine in Walla Walla DOUG YOU ARE THE MAN!!! KEEP MAKING AMAZING WINE!!! read more

It's an honor and a pleasure to actually have the winemaker talking with you about the art for which he is responsible. Doug is a retired chemistry teacher who buys the best grapes in the area and it shows. Focus on the reds. He has an interesting Syrah and Malbec. I'll be interested to see what he comes up with in the next few years! read more

Knowledgeable winemaker who is happy to chat about his process. He sources from only the best vineyards in the Walla Walla area - such as Les Collines, Blue Mountain, and Seven Hills Vineyard. The red wine here is good - on the smoother side and less complex than it could be. My advice would be to enjoy the good reds here and skip the white wine at the end. Decent price point when you consider all the awards the wine here has earned. read more

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Elegante's wines are definitely something a little bit different in Walla Walla. Instead of the big, bold reds our region is known for, Doug really specializes in delicate and soft wines. He also does 100% varietals, which is pretty rare out here. My husband and I bought the Sangiovese and were SHOCKED at how much we liked the Strawberry wine. Really, it was incredible. Less than 1% residual sugars means that even though you get the incredible freshness of the strawberry, you don't get any of the cloying sweet that comes from other sweet-fruit wines I've had. It's really amazing! read more

Excellent wines and we had a great chat with the winemaker. Doug is super friendly and made the experience great. Wines taste great - highly rate the Sangiovese and they are reasonably priced as well read more

This wine is beautiful and can boast all 100% on each varietal he makes. My boyfriend and I visited Doug a couple years ago. We tasted his extensive line of wines and settled on a bottle of merlot. It was so delicious that this visit we had to have a case! Thank you Doug for your hard work on wine, it truly shows! P.S. folks, this guy is super nice, knowledgeable, and does everything himself! Talk about passion! read more

If you have some extra time in Walla Walla stop into Elegante cellars where the owner Doug can take you back in time and show you Walla Walla 20 years ago! He is a graduate of the WWCC program and a really nice guy to boot. Plus the only winery to make strawberry wine in the valley. read more

I stumbled upon this gem of a winery as I was driving around the area looking for a different winery, and this nice gentleman was sitting outside on the front porch area with his dog and he waved as I drove by. After I left the other winery, I thought I should stop by Elegante since he waved to me. I'm so glad I did. He was the nicest man who shared with me his passion for winemaking and how he came to be a winemaker. He then took us back into where the wines are made and explained how it's done. No other winery has ever done that for me. And his wines are phenomenal. They are single varietals and I now wish I had purchased more before I left Walla Walla as I have already drank the three bottles I procured. It's worth the trip to visit and I am sure you will feel as welcomed and special as I felt on my visit. read more

This place is fantastic if you are into lighter wines. I met one of the owners and there isn't a nicer guy. You can tell they are proud of their wine and they have every right to be. Their wine is absolutely lovely. If you go, you must try their strawberry wine. It is the perfect summer wine. read more

Doug is a great guy and makes some truly unique wines in Walla Walla's Airport District. Stop by for a visit for sure! There are a bunch of awesome wineries, breweries and more to visit nearby as well. read more

Such a pleasure chatting with Doug and tasting his wines, the strawberry wine was a special treat. Definitely put this on your list when visiting winery's in Walla Walla's Airport District. read more

My daughter and I visited Elegante Cellars while on a "wine and food week" in Walla Walla in late August. I really enjoyed our visit with Doug Simmons! He makes really, really fine wine. My only purchase on the trip was a case of '07 Cab from Elegante. He shipped on the exact day I asked him to and it arrived three days ago. I love a guy who does it right! I set one bottle on my kitchen counter to "rest" from the cross-country to NY. I opened it for dinner and it was just as great as I remember. Thanks, Doug the one-man show! read more