by Karl Lidral
The number of boutique wineries in the Snake River Valley’s Sunnyslope Wine Trail region of Idaho started out small, but there are more cropping up all the time.
The Snake River Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a somewhat lesser-known but well-established (certainly more than up-and-coming!) wine region in the Pacific Northwest. Its unique climate(s) and plethora of talented and committed winemakers make it an area well worth taking note of.
WESTERN VINES will be introducing you to the boutique wineries of this region, specifically the wineries located in what has become known as the Sunnyslope Wine Trail. At the present time, there are approximately 20 wineries in easy driving distance from each other (some practically “next door”), which can make for an enjoyable day of going from one to the next. Guided wine tours which leave the driving to a “designated driver” are a perfect option for folks who don’t feel like driving themselves.
New boutique wineries are constantly emerging in the Snake River Valley, providing even more opportunities and selections for your tasting pleasure. A fun fact is that the winemakers frequently purchase grapes from each other’s vineyards. Even though the grapes may be produced on the same vines, each vintner has a unique approach to the making of his or her specific wines. They may create what appears on the surface to be the same wines. But there is a unique stamp behind each winemaker’s philosophy. It is very interesting to taste those different approaches and to compare the unique qualities each vintner brings to their art of wine making.
Most of the wineries of the Sunnyslope Wine Trail sell their wines online and many will gladly ship their wines right to your home.
For more information, readers may find the following websites useful (but for full enjoyment, go to the individual wineries’ websites or, better yet, if possible, come and visit the area! You will definitely not be disappointed).
A great place to start is at the Idaho Wine Commission, found online at info@idahowines.org, IdahoWines.org, and on all the major social media sites, including Facebook and Twitter. They will give you an overview of all the state’s wine-producing regions/wineries, and a plethora of other information. Signing up for their updates is also very helpful on a variety of levels.
