February 3, 2026 (Walla Walla, WA) — Walla Walla Valley’s Abeja Winery & Inn will mark its 25th anniversary in 2026 with a year-long series of events celebrating wines, vineyards, and hospitality. Founded in 2001, Abeja has built its reputation on site-driven winemaking rooted in estate vineyards, paired with a longstanding commitment to hospitality shaped by its landscape and historic farmstead. Anniversary programming will unfold throughout the year, anchored by a Grand Anniversary weekend July 17 – 18.
Grand Tasting & Guest Chef Andy Ricker Headline Events July 17 – 18
Throughout 2026, Abeja will commemorate its 25th anniversary with a curated calendar of wine tastings, vineyard seminars, lodging experiences, and culinary events reflecting the winery’s history and continued evolution. The full calendar of currently scheduled events, along with future announcements, is available at abeja.net/winery-events.php.
The centerpiece of the anniversary celebration is a Grand Anniversary Weekend on July 17 – 18. Events begin Friday with La Fête du Vin, a tasting honoring 25 years of Abeja’s Bordeaux-inspired winemaking, featuring iconic wines and rare cellar selections. The weekend continues Saturday with a dinner led by guest chef Andy Ricker, the James Beard award-winning founder of the influential Pok Pok restaurants, who will travel from Thailand to Walla Walla for the occasion. Ricker helped define regional Thai cuisine in the United States and left a lasting mark on the Pacific Northwest dining scene. Tickets to the La Fête du Vin are available now, along with reservations for dinner with Andy Ricker.
Estate Vineyards at the Core of Abeja’s Founding Vision
Ken and Ginger Harrison founded Abeja with the belief that estate-grown fruit delivers superior quality and a true expression of place. That vision has deepened over time. When winemaker Dan Wampfler and Amy Alvarez-Wampfler joined Abeja in 2016, less than 30 percent of the winery’s production came from estate vineyards. Today, approximately 70% of Abeja’s wines are sourced from estate holdings, reflecting the winery’s sustained investment in vineyards and a continued focus on site-driven winemaking.
“For 25 years, Abeja has been shaped by a deep respect for place – our vineyards, farmstead, and the people who work and visit us here,” said Dan Wampfler. “As we look ahead, we remain committed to estate-driven wines and exceptional hospitality while continuing to evolve in ways that honor this historic 49-acre property.”
Recognizing Abeja’s Heritage While Advancing Wine, Hospitality, and Experiences
Since the beginning, Abeja has remained attentive to its century-old farmstead while thoughtfully expanding how guests experience the estate. “Recent years have brought new expressions of wine, dining, and hospitality, shaped by our founders’ commitment to preserving Abeja as part of Walla Walla’s rich agricultural history and their desire to share it with others,” said Amy Alvarez-Wampfler.
Over the past decade, Abeja’s evolution has been guided by its winemaking team. The Wampflers joined Abeja in early 2016 and have since directed the estate’s vineyard expansion, winemaking, and guest experiences. The opening of a new winery in 2020 marked an important chapter, aligning the production facility with Abeja’s growing focus on estate vineyards and site-driven wines. That evolution came into focus with the release of Abeja’s first Skysill Vineyard-designated wines in 2024. Planted in the Walla Walla Valley in 2016, Skysill quickly distinguished itself as a dynamic site, with the inaugural 2020 and 2021 Skysill Cabernet Sauvignons each earning 100-point ratings and critical acclaim for their depth, precision, and expression of place.
Under the Wampflers’ leadership, Abeja has continued to expand guest experiences. The Kitchen at Abeja, which opened in 2021, offers destination fine dining rooted in seasonal cooking and showcases food and wine pairings. In 2025, Abeja moved its estate tasting room to the property’s iconic Big Barn and expanded tasting experiences to offer guests a deeper connection to the vineyard and historic place. That same year, Beekeeper by Abeja opened as a downtown Walla Walla tasting room, extending Abeja’s hospitality beyond its Mill Creek location.
About Abeja Winery & Inn
Founded in 2001, Abeja is an award-winning winery and hospitality destination in the Walla Walla Valley. Set on a meticulously restored century-old farmstead surrounded by vineyards and gardens, Abeja is known for high-quality, estate-driven wines designed to enhance the dining experience. Tastings are offered by appointment.
The Inn at Abeja features seven private guest cottages and a five-bedroom Farmhouse, inviting guests to experience wine country through the rhythms of the historic farmstead. The Kitchen at Abeja, open to both Inn guests and the public, offers a prix-fixe dinner menu that explores how wine and food’s contrasting flavors and complementary tastes elevate each course. More information is available at abeja.net.
