Top 10 Best Idaho Wineries

Driving around the vineyards in the Snake River Valley makes a person wonder – how did all these weird shapes in the landscape occur? There are shining white hills of chalk, dark columns of basalt, and beds of volcanic cinder in shades of black, red, and orange. The history of the Snake River Valley is one of volcanoes and water shaping a bizarre and beautiful landscape.

Umiker Estate Vineyard surrounds the winery and is meticulously managed be Karl.  Karl and Coco established the initial planting of Merlot in 2003 with the help of Coco’s grandfather Ralph Nichols (then 89). Grandpa Ralph drove the family’s 1952 9N Ford tractor to prep the land and dig the holes for the vines and posts. This planting marked the beginning of the fourth generation perusing their passions on the family farm!

Massive Syrah from old vines grown in McKinley Springs Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills is the backbone for this full and robust red wine. This warm site not far from the Columbia River consistently provides us with Syrah grapes which have lots of tannin and tons of focused fruit flavors which stand up to it, making a “lovable monster” of a wine which has created an enthusiastic and loyal clientele over the years. Our 2014 Opulence is rounded out by spicy Mourvedre also grown at McKinley, as well as ripe and lush Stillwater Creek Syrah, and just a smidgen of Lonesome Springs Grenache and Counoise to balance out the acidity and increase the aging potential of this highly-prized red Rhone offering.

Cold Springs Winery and Vineyard was established in 1998. We are located in Hammett, Idaho, and are part of the Snake River Valley Wine Region. We currently grow 34 acres of vines and have over 12 different varieties.

Colter’s Creek Winery has been crafting wines from our estate vineyard since 2007.  Our tasting room and restaurant is a quaint oasis nestled in Juliaetta, Idaho. In 2012, we opened our Main Street location as a place to taste our wines and sample from our eclectic menu, all in the company of good friends and just a beautiful 30-minute drive from Moscow and Lewiston.

The vines of Colter’s Creek are nestled along the Potlatch River near its low elevation confluence with the Clearwater River, allowing for a cooling effect that provides the perfect site for growing grapes. The winemakers strive to make outstanding wines from locally grown grapes while involving the community and engaging a growing number of wine drinkers.

Coiled is named in honor of Idaho’s first grape-growing appellation, the Snake River Valley.  The brand officially began with the release of our 2008 Syrah.  We started at 380 cases and now make 2,000 cases, with a range of wines made from Idaho grapes.  These wines include our Dry Riesling, Sidewinder (Syrah blend), Black Mamba (Petit Verdot blend), Rizza (Sparkling Brut Riesling), Chablis-style Chardonnay, and Petite Sirah (grapes grown in Calistoga, CA).  All Coiled wines are made from vine to wine under our roof.

Perched on a hill with breath taking views of the Magic Valley in every direction. How great is the view? We can see 10 fireworks displays in various towns from the garden near our vineyard on the 4th of July. Our estate is a great place to gather for weddings or just relax with a glass of our fine wines. Our estate includes well stocked trout ponds where we harvest fish for our restaurant. You will also find over 40 head of Black Angus cattle grazing in our pasture near by. It is our hope that you find our estate a place of beauty and tranquility where you can relax in a very casual atmosphere.

At Laithwaite’s Wine People we’re proud to show off our range of handcrafted, flavour-packed wines. Our close relationship with some of Australia’s finest winemaking talents allows us to share these with you at very special introductory prices.

Sip USDA-certified organic wine at this southern Idaho winery.  It’s open year round for intimate tastings, private events and conversations with the winemaker. With only the highest of artistic integrity, Holesinsky Vineyard and Winery creates some of the most versatile flavors and highest quality wines in the Northwest. The wines produced at Holesinsky Vineyards sing songs of passion, creativity, commitment, and a celebration of life and love. In every sip of the wines you can taste the stories of the Holesinsky family.

Our story begins as humble 4th generation wheat farmers in the Lewis-Clark Valley. Both Art and Doug (the founders) have nearly twenty years combined experience in viticulture and enology and each have been certified by WSU. Our motto “Taste our commitment” is a token of the many hours we put into each bottle produced to make certain we have achieved the highest quality wines, all while reducing our biological footprint.

Colter’s Creek Winery has been crafting wines from our estate vineyard since 2007.  Our tasting room and restaurant is a quaint oasis nestled in Juliaetta, Idaho. In 2012, we opened our Main Street location as a place to taste our wines and sample from our eclectic menu, all in the company of good friends and just a beautiful 30-minute drive from Moscow and Lewiston.

The unique cobbled soil of our vineyard allows us to grow a diverse range of grape varietals. This combined with our elevation and consistent hot, dry summers give us the climate of old-world wine growing regions such as the Rhone Valley (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre), the Douro Valley (Tempranillo, Touriga), Austria (Blauer Zweigelt), and Northern Italy (Barbera). Our ever expanding plantings currently boasts nearly 20 unique varietals.

The Sweetbriar Vineyard and Winery is owned and operated by Mike and Tamara Mackenthun. The couple retired from the Air Force to Mountain Home, Idaho and built their retirement home. During a trip to California Adventure at Disneyland, they talked to the Mondavi representative (at the time) about vineyards and wine making. They became convinced, after much research, they could build a small vineyard and winery of their own.

The vines of Colter’s Creek are nestled along the Potlatch River near its low elevation confluence with the Clearwater River, allowing for a cooling effect that provides the perfect site for growing grapes. The winemakers strive to make outstanding wines from locally grown grapes while involving the community and engaging a growing number of wine drinkers.

Syringa Winery is one of Idaho’s most revered wineries. Established in 2007, it continues a limited production of award winning wines widely regarded as consistently high quality at prices below many of their peers.

In 1975, Ste. Chapelle brought new luster to Idaho winemaking, with a commitment to fine winemaking using grapes planted among the sweeping orchards of southwestern Idaho in the Snake River Valley AVA.

Telaya started in 2008, when we produced 50 cases of carefully conceived wine. We’ve grown quite a bit since then. Our facility–which includes a full production space and tasting room–is located right on the Boise Greenbelt, just minutes from downtown and few feet from the Boise River. Guests can enjoy tastes, glasses and bottles of our Washington and Idaho wine while overlooking the scenic river.

Potter Wines is a Boise Idaho area Urban Winery and Tasting Room, located in Garden City. We offer traditional vintages and blends, as well as our signature line: the Jalapeño Wines! Browse our on-line store and give one of them a try.

Split Rail winery is propagated by the minds of a new generation of drinker. We create wine that is spawned from whimsy and redolent of the soil that we stand upon. Let us bring the farm to your glass; bring Idaho soil to your lips. In its most basic sense, Split Rail Winery emerged from a fervent belief in supporting local agriculture and creating Idaho-centric products, exploring new wines and wine styles, and an unfettered love for drinking, eating and debauchery. We invite you to consume either with or without us.