This state famous for its potatoes and mountains currently
has 40 wineries. Idaho is the forgotten state
in the Pacific Northwest. Which is rather ironic, considering that
the first wineries in the Pacific Northwest were located in Idaho,
and it had a nationally renowned wine industry until Prohibition
There are recordings of a vineyard of Royal Muscadine having been planted
in 1864. Grapes were introduced into the Clearwater Valley by 1872 and thanks
to the pioneering efforts of one French Louis Desol and one German
immigrant, Jacob Schaefer, the region rapidly became known for its wines.
Schleicher was the most successful, taking a number of gold medals for his
wines at expositions in Omaha, Buffalo, St. Louis and Portland*
Today most of Idaho's other wineries are concentrated along the Snake River in
southwestern Idaho, with a few clustered in the eastern part, between
Mountain Home and Twin Falls; two others are north of Twin Falls, off of Hwy
93 in Ketchum near Sun Valley. Only five of Idaho's more than 40 wineries are
located in northern Idaho's "Panhandle" area.
Snake River Valley became Idaho's first appellation in 2007, authorized by the US
Department of the Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The climatic influence
of the Snake River creates a favorable growing environment for vinifera grapes, as do other great
rivers in premium wine growing areas worldwide. Although few grapes are grown in Idaho's spectacular
north country (referred to as the "Panhandle"), the four wineries currently located
there offer premium wines and tastings to please discriminating wine enthusiasts
traveling through the region.
The new AVA includes 10 Idaho counties and
a small area of Oregon.
Idaho Wine Facts
Other Areas
Snake River Valley
Wineries of Idaho A-Z
Idaho winery owners if you are not listed please contact us
at info@winesofwoi.com
*source www.idahowines.org
