From the moment we arrived at Caprio Cellars in Walla Walla, we knew this visit was going to be special. Emily Kiefer, Customer Experience Director, handed us a glass of sparkling wine before we even stepped inside the tasting room. She shared that when owner Dennis Murphy opened the doors to Caprio Cellars in 2019, he wanted to create an experience for his guests, not just open another tasting room. And what an exceptional experience it is! From the warm and friendly customer service, delightful wine tasting, and gourmet food pairings, we felt special, pampered, and welcomed from the moment we arrived until we said our goodbyes.
Guests are greeted with a glass of sparkling wine upon arrival at Caprio Cellars ©Pam Baker
Tasting Room Experience at Caprio Cellars
Caprio conducts four tastings daily, Wednesday through Sunday, by reservation only. Tastings are limited to 20 people per seating, so the tasting room never feels crowded, or the wine tasting hurried. The tasting room’s elegant and modern interior provides comfortable seating and expansive views of the surrounding vineyards.
The tasting room staff read the room well. The wine servers knew the guests who wanted to relax and those interested in learning about the wines, terroir, and production.
Inside Caprio Cellars modern tasting room ©Pam Baker
Complimentary Food Pairings
As guests move through each tasting, wine servers provide complimentary unique and scrumptious small bites to accompany the wine. The seasonally driven small plates are prepared fresh by the winery’s executive chef Kyle Daniel, assisted by chef Angel Cruz in a custom-designed food truck kitchen next to the tasting room.
On the day we visited, we enjoyed a roasted beet salad topped with a grilled prawn; brie cheese drizzled with honey, topped with cherries, and pistachios; and a blackberry gazpacho with a yogurt topping. The Caprio Italian meatballs served with grilled sourdough are another tasting room favorite.
The chefs strive to source local, organic ingredients for every plate. In the spirit of sustainability, all cutlery is compostable.
Baked brie topped with fresh, local cherries ©Pam Baker
Bordeaux Inspired Wines
Although the cuisine was exceptional, we were here to taste the wine. Caprio Cellars is a boutique winery producing 3,000 cases of estate-grown Bordeaux blends. The owner intends to keep production small, with an upper limit of 5,000 cases annually.
Tasting Eleanor red blend at Caprio Cellars ©Pam Baker
Caprio produces a Rosé, a white blend, a Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Eleanor estate red wine. The Eleanor, a Bordeaux-inspired blend dedicated to the owner’s grandmother, is Caprio’s flagship and most popular wine.
Dennis Murphy, Owner, and Winemaker at Caprio Cellars
Dennis shared, “Winemaking has always been in my family.” And so, to honor the family tradition, it was natural for Dennis to become a winemaker himself. In 2003 he first discovered the property where he would plant his vineyards. He planted his first vineyard, the Eleanor, in 2006 with two acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and one acre of Merlot. Next, he planted the Octave Vineyard in 2007 with 16 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, two acres of Merlot, two acres of Cabernet Franc, and one acre of Malbec. His newest vineyard, the Sanitella, named for Dennis’ great-grandmother, is planted on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla AVA. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc grow there.
Dennis believes Walla Walla provides the best climate and terroir for these Bordeaux varieties and uses a light hand in making his wines. He shares, “The blends depend on what Mother Nature decides. I let the wine speak for itself.”
Dennis Murphy, owner and winemaker at Caprio Cellars
Dennis’ goal with Caprio Cellars is to try and set it apart from other wineries. He believes in treating his guests like family, for example, offering them a glass of sparkling wine when they arrive. His business model is to provide complimentary small plates during a wine tasting, and he doesn’t charge a tasting fee. He says, “It’s a business model that works because guests typically don’t leave empty-handed. And it keeps them coming back.”
Dennis recently became a partner/owner of Pepper Bridge and Amavi Cellars in Walla Walla. With a similar family-owned approach, it was a good match for all. In addition to his wine business, Dennis has been a successful home builder in the Pacific Northwest for 16 years.
Philanthropy
Despite being a builder, winery owner, and winemaker, Dennis still finds time to support his local community and help others in need. His philosophy is “Give as you Go” (a motto he created and trademarked). While he is involved in many charitable endeavors throughout the Pacific Northwest, Dennis’ favorite non-profits are First Story and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Dennis shared, “First Story helps families that have gone through hardships to get into homes.” As a single father raising his son, Dennis understands the importance of role models for youth. He has served as a Big Brother and has been a board member of Big Brothers and Big Sisters for several years.
In January 2022, Dennis was named one of Wine’s Most Inspiring People by the Wine Industry Network.
If You Go
Luscious Bordeaux blends, gourmet food pairings, extraordinary hospitality, and a relaxed atmosphere make for an elevated wine-tasting experience. Owner/winemaker Dennis Murphy’s philosophy, shines through.
If I’ve enticed you, Caprio Cellars should be at the top of your list the next time you visit Walla Walla. Visit Caprio Cellars for reservations. And for help in planning your trip, here are a few recommendations:
Tesla Winery Tours
One of the best ways to tour the Walla Walla wine region is with Tesla Winery Tours, Walla Walla’s Luxury Tour Company. Owner Chris Wood worked in the wine industry for years. As a result, he knows the wineries, the people, and the region. Through this elevated experience, guests learn about the history of Walla Walla, the “four corners” of the region, the terroir, and the fruit.
Tesla Winery Tours in Walla Walla provide an easy way to tour the wine region ©Pam Baker
Your tour is guaranteed to be exclusive as well as educational. Tesla Winery Tours is happy to take you to the wineries of your choice or help you plan the itinerary. Tours start at $109/hour in the Model S and $130/hour in the Model X.
Marcus Whitman Hotel
In downtown Walla Walla, the iconic Marcus Whitman Hotel provides upscale lodging in a gorgeous historic building. A luxury 13-story hotel built in a classic architectural style offers spacious rooms and upscale accommodations. Its famous Marc Restaurant features its “winery of the month” tasting menu. Plus, six on-site tasting rooms off the grand lobby make it easy to taste Walla Walla wine without the drive.
Marcus Whitman’s convenient location also makes it easy to explore nearby shops and favorite restaurants like AK’s Mercado, serving the best smokehouse barbeque tacos I’ve ever tasted; Walla Walla Steak Company, a favorite hometown steak house; and Walla Walla Bread Company, a restaurant so popular that guests line up at the front door before it even opens.
Visit Walla Walla
For more ideas on wineries, itineraries, and lodging, the Visit Walla Walla website offers plenty of information.
