Idaho Wineries: Snake River Tasting Rooms Near Boise
Since its American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation in 2007, the Idaho wineries in the Snake River wine region near Caldwell (a half-hour west of Boise) have begun to take off in popularity. Idaho wineries may be a few years away from being “discovered” the way that wine regions in neighboring Oregon and Washington have been, but you can discover them now. Several tasting rooms are open year-round and there’s even one in downtown Boise.
Ste. Chapelle Winery
St. Chapelle is Idaho’s oldest and largest winery, producing 160,000 cases of 21 wines from dry to sweet, ice to sparkling. All, including the award-winning Rieslings, exude the fruit aromas for which Idaho wines are known. The octagonal building is a visual treat, with cathedral-like windows meant to evoke the Gothic chapel in Paris of the same name. There’s a $5 tasting fee, but you keep the wine glass as a souvenir. It’s open daily.
Koenig Distillery & Winery
The 200-year-old, two-story-high, hand-hammered copper distillery is the main attraction at this family distillery, but award-winning wines are showcased in addition to Koenig’s Famous Idaho Potato vodkas and premium fruit brandies. You can taste up to 11 wines, plus Koenig’s famed huckleberry vodka. It’s open weekend afternoons.
Bitner Vineyards
This hillside winery was among the first in the valley when Ron and Mary Bitner opened it in 1980. Most of the 1,000 annual cases are sold in their small tasting room. Besides pouring wines, they host Friday night readings and Saturday night live music on the deck, where tables overlook the vineyards and Owyhee Mountains. You can bring a picnic and purchase wine by the glass. There are even two bed and breakfast rooms if you get groggy. It’s open Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Snake River Winery
You needn’t leave downtown Boise to sample one of the AVA’s award-winning wines. The Snake River Winery Tasting Room is right downtown, open daily except on Mondays, with free tastings of seven of its rich, earthy wines from a rotating list of about 20.
HelloBoise Tip: You can tour the AVA’s wineries by mini-bus from Boise with Idaho Winery Tours.
Posted on May 4, 2011 by Bob Cooper
