It seems like musical chairs when the wine tasting room scene changes in downtown Walla Walla. Here are some changes coming up for the coming season.

Glencorrie has just opened its tasting room on 6 East Rose Street (next to Nonie's Alterations), half a block east of Second Avenue. Tasting room manager Melanie Leathers is running this new location. The tasting room on Old Highway 12 is off the beaten track, so this new location will be a plus.

Maison Bleue (owner-winemaker Jon Meuret) will be open in time for Spring Release weekend (May 3-5). According to tasting room manager, Dawn Brumfield, there simply was not enough time to open for Cayuse weekend, so they are shooting for the beginning of May. The location at 12 North Second is boarded up for extensive renovations (Salumerie Cesario was the previous occupant, now located on Main Street).

Mackey has moved out of the 14 North Second location and down to the winery on Powerline Road (shared with Rasa Vineyards). This leaves the location vacant and available for rent.

The corner of Second and Rose is also vacant and available for rent. It was formerly occupied by Willow a boutique shop and gallery which closed down last fall.

The conventional wisdom here in Walla Walla is that a downtown location is highly desirable and that the prime are is along Main Street and on Second Avenue between Main and Rose. This area is where many tourists congregate. Karen LaBonte (Trio Vintners) told me her volume increased dramatically after moving from Second between Alder and Poplar to the Marcus Whitman Hotel (next to Tero/Flying Trout and Locati Cellars). It's all about Location! Location! Location!