A Community Movement: The Story Behind the White Salmon Wine Walks

When Julie Burgmeier founded the White Salmon Wine Walks, she wasn’t just organizing a wine tasting event—she was planting the seeds of community revitalization. What began as a creative way to celebrate the exceptional wineries of the Columbia Gorge AVA has grown into one of White Salmon’s most beloved traditions, raising over $50,000 for downtown beautification projects and creating lasting impacts that go far beyond the glass.

Sipping with a Purpose

Julie, founder of Skagit Marketing – rebranding to Pacific Northwest Marketing, recognized early on that White Salmon was home to some of Washington’s most exciting winemakers, yet many visitors (and even locals) didn’t fully realize the treasure trove in their own backyard. She envisioned a community-centered event that would spotlight the trailblazing wineries of the Columbia Gorge, while also breathing new life into downtown.

With that, the White Salmon Wine Walk was born—an immersive tasting experience where guests explore local shops and businesses while sampling wines from across the AVA. But more than just an afternoon of sipping and strolling, Julie made sure the event had a bigger mission: reinvesting in White Salmon’s future.

Raising a Glass to Real Results

Thanks to enthusiastic participation from wineries, businesses, and guests, the Wine Walks have raised over $50,000, all of which has been funneled directly back into the community. These funds have helped make downtown White Salmon more inviting and walkable, contributing to:

• New city benches that offer rest and reflection
• Upgraded garbage cans that keep the town clean and beautiful
• Native plant gardens that celebrate local ecology and biodiversity
• Public sculptures and murals that enrich the streets with creativity and color

These visible enhancements have not only improved quality of life for residents but also made White Salmon a more attractive destination for tourists, bringing in more foot traffic to shops, cafés, and restaurants.

Promoting the Columbia Gorge Wine Scene

Beyond the event itself, Julie has continued to champion Columbia Gorge AVA wineries and winemakers year-round through content marketing, storytelling, and vibrant social media campaigns. By sharing winemaker interviews, vineyard snapshots, and the inspiring stories behind the labels, she’s helped elevate the region’s identity as a destination for world-class wine—with a distinctive sense of place.

Her efforts have helped grow awareness for the Columbia Gorge AVA, which straddles Washington and Oregon and is renowned for its stunning diversity of microclimates and varietals. The Wine Walks offer a perfect way to experience that diversity firsthand—while celebrating local businesses and investing in the town’s future.

What started as a simple wine tasting idea has become a cornerstone of White Salmon’s cultural calendar and community spirit. Thanks to Julie’s vision and follow-through, the Wine Walks have proven that with a little creativity and collaboration, something as enjoyable as a glass of wine can also help transform a town.

Here’s to wine with purpose—and the people who make it happen.