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Wines of Idaho
The wines of Idaho are fast becoming favorites of many who enjoy this remarkable creation. The knowledgeable vintners who craft Idaho vintages have known about the unique qualities of grapes grown in the state for some time. After all, grape growing and wine producing are not exactly new to Idaho.
According to the historians, a vineyard of Royal Muscadine cuttings was planted in the spring of 1864 and, after surviving the winter, started producing grapes in the spring of 1865. By the 1870’s, Idaho wineries were winning gold medal awards at expositions throughout the country. Idaho wineries, in fact, were the first wineries in the Pacific Northwest and were nationally recognized until Prohibition shut down the industry throughout the country.
It wasn’t until 1970 that wine grapes were again planted in Idaho. Potential growing areas were carefully studied. The newly-selected area was in the Snake River Valley in the southern part of the state. The valley, found along the Snake River from the Twin Falls area and west to Oregon, is some 5.27 million acres, larger than the State of Delaware and the State of Connecticut combined. The results have been exceptional. Today, of the many vineyards and wineries in Idaho, 16 are located in the Snake River Valley.
The 4th Annual Idaho Wine Festival will be held on August 24th, 2007 at the Crystal Ballroom of the Hoff Building (8th and Idaho Street) in Boise. The Festival is presented by The Treasure Valley Wine Society. Wine tasting will be from 5 pm to 9 pm, and medals will be awarded in a judged wine competition.
Idaho’s vintners are winning awards for quality. A tour of Idaho’s new Wine Country is a good idea. If you are a connoisseur, be sure to check out these producers for a taste of what Idaho has to offer:
Bitner Vineyards
16645 Plum Road, Caldwell ID 83607 - Website: www.bitnervineyards.com Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve Chardonnay, Reserve Riesling - Tasting Room Hours: By Appointment Only....New tasting room coming summer 2007.
Blue Rock Vineyard & Wines
PO Box 283, Buhl 83316 - Phone: (208) 543-6938 - Tasting Room Hours: By Appointment Only.
Camas Prairie Winery
110 S. Main St, Moscow 83843 - Website: www.camasprairiewinery.com/ Champoux Vineyard Merlot - Tasting Room Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: Noon to 6:30pm.
Carmela Vineyards
1289 W Madison, Glenns Ferry 83623 - Website: carmelavineyards.com Tasting Room Hours: Daily 9:00 am - 9:00 pm (Summer).
Cold Springs Winery
P.O. Box 4, Hammett, ID 83627 - Website: www.coldspringswinery.com/ Tasting Room 7853 W. Ringert Ln. - Hours: Sat-Sun: Noon - 5PM. Other times by appointment.
Fraser Vineyard
1004 La Pointe St., Boise, ID 83706 - Phone: (208) 345-9607 - Tasting Room Hours: By Appointment.
Hegy's South Hills Winery
3099 E. 3400 N., Twin Falls, ID 83303 - Tasting Room Hours: Only by appointment.
Hells Canyon Winery
18835 Symms Rd, Caldwell, ID 83607 - Website: hellscanyonwinery.org Tasting Room Hours: By Appointment Only.
Indian Creek (Stowe) Winery
1000 N McDermott Rd., Kuna 83634 - Website: indiancreekwinery.com/ Tasting Room Hours: Friday - Sunday: Noon - 5pm.
Koenig Distillery & Winery
20928 Grape Ln, Caldwell, ID 83607 - Website: www.koenigdistillery.com/ Merlot - Tasting Room Hours: Saturday - Sunday: Noon - 5pm.
Miceli Vineyards & Winery, Inc.
8114 Owyhee View Lane, Givens Hot Springs, ID 83641 - Website: www.micelivineyards.com - Tasting Room Hours: NA.
Parma Ridge Vineyards
24509 Rudd Road, Parma, ID 83660 - Website: www.parmaridge.com Gewürztraminer, Mélange - Tasting Room Hours: Any time by appointment - Phone: (208) 722-6885 - Call first. If I'm here, we're open.
Pend d'Oreille Winery
220 Cedar Street, Sandpoint, ID 83864 - Website: www.powine.com/ Tasting Room Hours: Monday-Thursday: 10am-6pm, Friday-Saturday: 10am-7pm, Sunday: 11am-5pm.
Sandstone Vineyards
188 E Rodeo Lane, Kuna, ID 83634 - Phone: (208) 922-2111 - Tasting Room Hours: Call for appointment.
Sawtooth Winery
13750 Surrey Lane, Nampa, ID 83686 - Website: www.sawtoothwinery.com Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Reserves - Tasting Room Hours: Friday - Sunday: Noon - 5pm.
Silver Trail Winery
347 Avenue E., Kuna, ID 83643 - Website: www.silvertrailwinery.com Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Lemberger Idaho, Ruby Port Cabernet Cauvignon, Soft Cabernet Sauvignon, Tawny Port, White Port - Chardonnay - Tasting Room Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10am-6pm, Sunday: 11am-5pm.
Snake River Winery
Arena Valley Rd @ Dixie, Wilder, ID - Website: www.snakeriverwinery.com/ Arena Valley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Snake River Chardonnay - Phone: (208) 722-5858 - Tasting Room Hours: By appointment only.
Ste. Chapelle Winery
19348 Lowell Rd., Caldwell, ID 83607 - Website: www.stechapelle.com Dry Gewurztraminer, Dry Riesling, Ice Wine Sauvignon Blanc, Idaho Cabernet Sauvignon, Idaho Chardonnay, Idaho Merlot, Johannisberg Riesling, Reserve Ice Wine Riesling, Riesling Ice Wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Soft Chenin Blanc, Sparkling Riesling, Special Harvest Riesling, Winemaker Syrah - Tours on the hour until 3pm - Tasting Room Hours: Monday - Saturday: Noon - 5pm, Sunday: Noon - 5pm.
The Winery at Eagle Knoll
3705 Highway 16, Eagle, ID 83616 - Website: thewineryateagleknoll.com Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Eagle Head Red, Gewurztraminer, Merlot, Myron's Port De Blanc, Myron's Port Tawny, Myron's Ruby Port, Pinot Noir Rose, Riesling, Sangiovese Reserve, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, The Blend - Tasting Room Hours: Daily 11am - 6pm.
Weston Winery
16316 Orchard Street, Caldwell, ID 83605 - Phone: (208) 459-2631 Tasting Room Hours: By Appointment Only.
Williamson Vineyard
19692 Williamson Ln., Caldwell, ID 83607 - Website: www.willorch.com Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Syrah, Ligonier - Tasting Room Hours: (June - Dec) Mon - Fri: 10am - 6pm, Sat: 10am - 4pm.
Wine Corkers
P.O. Box 5392, Boise, ID 83705 - Website: www.winecorkers.us - Phone: (208) 853-6223 - Tasting Room Hours: Tues-Sat, 10am-6pm.
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