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What is the history of Idaho's wine industry?
- Idaho's wine industry dates back to the 19th century, with the pioneer-era planting of the first vineyards throughout the Pacific Northwest.
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What is Idaho's current wine growing region known for?
- Today, the wine growing region has become one of the United States' top viticultural areas, home to the lovely Snake River Valley AVA, which is easily accessible from downtown Boise and home to some of the state's top wineries.
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What other wine regions are in Idaho?
- Other wineries are located within the Eagle Foothills AVA, which is known for its rich volcanic ash and sandy loam soils that result in top grape-growing conditions.
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What types of wine can visitors sample in Idaho?
- These luxurious winery tasting rooms throughout the state offer intimate ambiance and showcase popular regional grape varietals such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, and Chenin Blanc, which all thrive in the state's climate.
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1. 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards
Savor estate-grown wines, enjoy breathtaking views in a serene setting.
3 Horse Ranch Vineyards was originally founded in 2002 by Gary and Martha Cunningham, who began planting Bordeaux and Rhone grape varietals on the hillsides of their Sawtooth Range ranch two years prior. Today, the winery has become the state's largest family-owned wine operation, located within the burgeoning Eagle Foothills District wine region. In 2011, the winery was named as the Idaho "Winery to Watch" by Wine Press Northwest. Guests can taste award-winning wines at the company's public tasting room, including its Pinot Gris varietal, which received a gold medal from the Great Northwest Wine Competition in 2014. Tastings are offered Wednesdays through Sundays throughout the afternoon hours. Vineyard tours are also available, led by vintner Martha Cunningham and lasting approximately 120 minutes.
5900 Pearl Rd, Eagle, ID 83616, Phone: 208-863-6561
2. Camas Prairie Winery
Taste handcrafted wines, explore Idaho’s oldest winery in a cozy atmosphere.
Camas Prairie Winery is northern Idaho's oldest winery, originally established in Bovill in 1983. The Latah County winery, which is located approximately 40 minutes from the city of Moscow, produces a wide variety of grape wines from the best imported grapes, ranging from classic dry reds and lightly-sweet whites to decadent dessert wine varietals. An impressive selection of high-quality fermented meads are also sold, including strawberry, huckleberry, blackberry, and raspberry varieties. Visitors can enjoy wine and mead tastings seven days a week at the company's public tasting room, which also offers tours of its adjacent production facility. A retail store carries locally-made products, including pantry goods. Wines are also sold at the Moscow Farmer's Market each week or in partnership with the Moscow Food Co-Op.
207 Main St, Bovill, ID 83806, Phone: 208-826-3222
3. Cinder Wines
Savor bold blends, enjoy unique flavors from locally sourced grapes.
Cinder Wines has been named as one of the American West's best urban wineries by Sunset Magazine, located within the Snake River Valley American Viticultural Area in Garden City. The winery, which is helmed by vintner Melanie Krause, is named for the volcanic cinder that underlies many of the region's modern vineyards. A public tasting room is open select days throughout the week, located within easy driving distance from downtown Boise. Guests can sample the winery's high-quality red and white wines and blends, including classic Chardonnay, Riesling, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Viognier varietals. Tours are offered with advance reservation, including large group tours and private special event tours.
107 E 44th St, Garden City, ID 83714, Phone: 208-376-4023
4. Clearwater Canyon Cellars
Explore award-winning wines, savor vibrant flavors from historic vineyards.
Clearwater Canyon Cellars is an ultra-premium wine producer in Lewiston, owned and operated by married duo Coco and Karl Umiker. The winery, which began its production at Lewiston Orchards in 2004 in a garage side room, moved into its current farm winery production facility on the Umiker's family farm in 2016. In 2015, it was named as Idaho's winery of the year. Today, guests can taste delicious Cabernet Sauvignons, Syrahs, Carmenères, Chardonnays, and Merlots at the company's tasting room, with expert winemakers on hand to talk to all visitors. Tasting room hours are offered on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the afternoon hours or by special appointment.
3143 10th St, Lewiston, ID 83501, Phone: 208-816-4679
5. Coeur D'Alene Cellars
Savor handcrafted wines, enjoy a relaxing experience in an elegant space.
Coeur D'Alene Cellars is the premiere small-batch winery of Coeur d'Alene, producing more than 3,000 ultra-premium wines each year since 2002. The family-owned winery, which is located within Idaho's acclaimed Columbia Valley wine region, produces high-quality traditional wines reflecting the region's famed terroir, including smooth and drinkable Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots, and Cabernet Francs. Tasting room hours are offered Tuesdays through Saturdays during the afternoon hours, with private tasting reservations available for small groups with advance reservation. A full menu of light cafe fare is offered to accompany wine flights, including cheese boards and truffle bites. Public special events throughout the year include live music performances, wine and painting nights, and winemaking courses.
3890 N Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815, Phone: 208-664-2336
6. Coiled Wines
Taste distinctive varietals, enjoy expertly crafted Idaho wines in a stylish setting.
Coiled Wines was founded in 2008 in Idaho's Snake River Valley, located in beautiful Garden City, a short day trip drive from Boise. The winery offers two labels of wines produced from vine-to-wine in house, including the company's elegantly-blended Translations line, which takes wines produced in neighboring regions and blends and refines them into new interpretations. Delicious wines can be sampled at the company's tasting room in Garden City or its charming wine bar in downtown Boise. At the Boise wine bar, guests can also enjoy a selection of small plates, including platters of locally-produced chocolates, nuts, and olive oils. Special events hosted at both locations throughout the year include art shows, bingo nights, and winemaker's dinners.
3408 W Chinden Blvd, Garden City, ID 83714, Phone: 208-820-8466
7. Y Knot Winery
Savor diverse wines, enjoy a laid-back, family-friendly vineyard atmosphere.
Y Knot Winery was Idaho's top winery for 2017, located within charming Glenns Ferry in the beautiful Snake River Valley. The winery harvests grapes grown in the rich fertile ancient volcanic soil Idaho is known for, splitting production between its own vineyard grapes and grapes sourced from nearby Hagerman Valley and King Hill. High-quality varietals include traditional wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Pinot Grigio, paired alongside silky-smooth blends such as the company's Roundup Triumvino and Old Vine Sweet. A public tasting room offers tasting flights Mondays through Saturdays, with extended evening hours for visitors stopping in after work. Guests can also dine at the delicious Tannin's Restaurant and Tavern at Crossings, which serves up from-scratch Northwestern cuisine alongside a full draft beer list and cocktail bar.
1289 W Madison Ave, Glenns Ferry, ID 83623, Phone: 208-366-2313
8. Fujishin Family Cellars Winery
Discover small-batch wines, savor unique flavors with a local touch.
Fujishin Family Cellars Winery is owned and operated by Martin Fujishin, sourcing grapes for wine production from some of the Snake River Valley's top growers. The winery produces a wide variety of high-quality wines through its signature Fujishin and inventive Lost West wine labels, with varietals ranging from classic Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignons to well-balanced dry and sweet blends perfect for sipping and food pairing. A tasting room at Caldwell's Robison Fruit Ranch offers hours seven days a week spring through fall and select tasting hours during the winter months. Complimentary tastings let guests sample up to six wines from the winery's current release lineup, with group tastings available by appointment for groups of six or more. Reservations are strongly recommended on weekends due to high visitor volume.
15593 Sunny Slope Rd, Caldwell, ID 8360, Phone: 208-649-5389
9. HAT Ranch Winery and Vineyard
Taste bold wines, enjoy panoramic vineyard views in a peaceful setting.
HAT Ranch Winery and Vineyard is an award-winning winery owned and operated by Helen and Tim Harless, originally established in 2011. The Snake River Valley winery, which has received medals at the Great Northwestern Wine Competition, is a part of the Sunnyslope Wine Trail and is known for decadent classic varietals and blends, including its gold-medal-winning HAT Trick Red, which blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Tempranillo. A gorgeous tasting room showcases panoramic views of the nearby Owyhee Mountains, located just 40 minutes from downtown Boise. Tasting hours are offered daily between noon and 5:00pm, letting guests sample five wines of their choice for free. An art gallery at the tasting room also displays the works of local and regional artists working in a variety of media.
15343 Plum Rd, Caldwell, ID 83607, Phone: 208-994-6416
10. Hells Canyon Winery
Savor estate-grown wines, enjoy breathtaking views overlooking the Snake River.
Hells Canyon Winery has been owned and operated by the Robertson family since 1981, home to Idaho's oldest grape vineyards, which are located on rich volcanic soil hillside slopes near the beautiful Snake River and Owyhee Mountains. The sustainability-focused winery produces high-quality wines from estate grapes traditionally fermented in small oak barrels, sold under the winery's Hells Canyon and Zhoo Zhoo labels. As Idaho's first fully solar-powered winery, the winery makes a great choice for environmentally-conscious wine enthusiasts looking to lessen their carbon footprint on a day trip. An outdoor wine bar serves up wine flights and appetizers on a patio space overlooking the Snake River. On colder days, the winery's cozy lounge offers fireside seating for sipping wines by the glass or by the bottle.
18835 Symms Rd, Caldwell, ID 83607, Phone: 208-454-3300
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