Grenache Fest
Description
Grenache Fest is coming to Waitsburg, Washington, bringing with it a focused, celebratory spotlight on one of the world’s most important and expressive grapes. Waitsburg’s proximity to the Walla Walla Valley makes it an obvious choice. Add to that the charm of an entire town block on the national historic registry and an enclave of artists and artisans, and the event feels right at home!
Grenache Fest was created to champion Grenache in all its forms, from elegant and savory to bold and powerful, while fostering authentic connections between winemakers, the trade, media, and passionate consumers. The festival has quickly earned a reputation for blending serious wine conversation with an approachable, convivial atmosphere that mirrors the spirit of the grape itself.
The 2026 Waitsburg edition will be smaller than in previous years, so as not to overwhelm this beautiful small town.
Agenda
- All day
FULL DAY PASS
The Full Day Pass includes tickets to the concert, the blind tasting, one of three seminars, and the grand tasting. Add shuttle service from Walla Walla to Waitsburg and back.
- 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
AN EVENING WITH M. WARD
M. Ward returns to Grenache Fest for a third time! Local PNW Low Plains Drifters will open the show. ABOUT M. WARD: M. Ward is one of the special contemporary artists who invite such questions as "what year is this?" Ward has clearly mastered the whole vocabulary of American popular music and made serious decisions about how to employ it for his own ends. What Ward shares with Harry Smith’s artists and Neil Young is a context of musical and human values: authenticity and intimacy. Supernatural Thing’s original songs sound freshly pulled from the ground, with a little earth sticking to them. Ward’s lyric delivery has that slight rawness the ear loves, and his voice has quiet dignity and great tenderness.
- 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
GRAND TASTING
GRAND TASTING featuring 30 international Grenache producers. Live DJ and Detroit-Style Pizza from Bar Bacetto. Some of the wineries pouring will include: Ambassador, Approachment, Brockmeyer, Cairdeas, Cimento, Clos Lointain, College Cellars, Echolands, Gard, Gjallerhorn, Grosgrain, K Vintners, L’Ecole No 41, Law Estate, Massalto, Nysa, REALI, Rujaya, SAMA Cellars, Saviah, Seaport Cellars, Strata Varia, Synchline, Tinte Cellars, Upsidedown Wine, Yalumba, Tenor/ Mercer
- 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Blind Tasting Seminar
Taste ten Grenache wines "blind" under the guidance of moderators MJ Towler, Michael Alberty, and local sommeliers. The range of flavor profiles will be vast, and there won't be any preconceived notions about quality. Location: Waitsburg Town Hall
- 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
"Come to the Light" with Michael Alberty
These wines show restraint and elegance, due to terroir or winemaking decisions. Your moderator, Michael Alberty of Wine Enthusiast, will lead you through this tasting, along with the winemakers themselves. Location: Atelier Waitsburg
- 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
"Stuck in the Middle With You" with Paul Gregutt
Not too restrained, not too bold! Your moderator, Paul Gregutt of Paul Gregutt’s Wine Guide, will lead you through this tasting, along with the winemakers themselves. Location: The Morgan Building
- 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Bigger! Bolder! Blacker! with MJ Towler "Black Wine Guy"
These are the biggest, boldest Grenaches of the Fest. Your moderator, MJ Towler of The Black Wine Guy Podcast, will lead you through this tasting, along with the winemakers themselves. Location The Royal Block
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
