Idaho…the new frontier for wine?!?!

“Idaho…the new frontier of wine growing?!?!” That’s exactly what I said, after I did a quick Google search to make sure there were in fact wineries in Idaho. I mean, really isn’t Idaho all about meat and potatoes?  Apparently not. Or so I learned after spending a few days with the Idaho Wine Commission exploring the Snake River Valley AVA, one of the the state’s three American Viticultural Areas (AVA).

I’ve put together some fun and rather surprising facts about the Idaho wine region in addition to the Idaho Wine Country Travel Guide to help you plan your next grape escape.

Fun Facts on Idaho’s Wine Regions

According to the Idaho Wine Commission, the first grape-bearing vines in Idaho were planted in the 1860’s. Two Frenchmen, Louis Desol and Robert Schleicher and one German, Jacob Schaefer were winning awards around the country before Prohibition killed the industry and brought production to an absolute halt.

State Prohibition in Idaho began in 1916, followed by National Prohibition in 1920. Prohibition wasn’t repealed until 1933. (Can you imagine no wine all that time?!?!?)

In the 1970’s California sparked the revival of the American wine industry, which was felt throughout the rest of the country, including Idaho. The opening of the first Idaho winery after Prohibition was Ste. Chapelle Winery in 1976.

Today Ste. Chapelle Winery is the largest winery in Idaho with an output of 125,000 cases.

There are 238 American Viticultural Area (AVA) aka “officially recognized wine regions” in the United States. (More than half of the AVAs are in California.) The Snake River Valley became Idaho’s first AVA in 2007.

Idaho is now home to three official AVAs;  Eagle Foothills was approved November 2015 and a Lewis-Clark AVA was approved this past April, 2016.

Idaho is home to 52 wineries with 28 wineries within 35 miles from Boise, which is centrally located in the Snake River Valley AVA. There is plenty to sip in the state’s capital.

The elevations within the Snake River Valley ranges from 1,500 – 3,000 feet, which has been compared to the high mountain desert of the famed Rioja region in Spain. In comparison to wine regions in the United States, the Snake River Valley AVA is home to to some of the highest elevation vineyards in the United States. (Colorado is home to the highest elevation vineyards in the United States as well as the world.)

In terms of climate, the Snake River Valley AVA sees intense summer growing seasons with 16 hours of sunlight; temperatures reach well over the 90s with nighttime temps dropping to the 50s. This climate is a result of its raised elevation. The combination of the intense sun, and cool, dry nights serve to balance the acid and sugars in the grapes. Think fruit-forward wine (due to the heat) that’s balanced and structured (thanks to the coolness).

There are 35 different types of wine varietals grown in Idaho with the leading varietals being Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.

Forget Idaho wine and potatoes for a minute, there is a new up and coming crop in Idaho – BLACK TRUFFLES! (One pound of black truffles goes for about $1,000!!!!) According to the Capital Press, “about 10,000 truffle-inoculated trees have been planted in the Snake River Valley and the area may have the largest concentration of truffle orchards in the country.”

It makes sense that potatoes are what Idaho is known for since it’s the state’s number one agriculture crop. BUT did you know Idaho also produces nearly 70 percent of the trout in the United States, as well as barley. And, it ranks third in the country’s production of hops. So…think BEER, lot’s of beer. Yes, it’s true, the majority of the barley and hops coming out of Idaho are designated for beer production.

While this series will be focused on Idaho wine and Idaho wineries I did pick up a few other fun facts visitors could find as fun trivia…so I simply couldn’t resist.

Sun Valley was the first destination winter resort in the U.S. It opened 80 years ago in December 1936.

The world’s first chairlifts were installed on Sun Valley resort’s Proctor and Dollar Mountains in the fall of 1936.

Author Ernest Hemingway completed For Whom the Bell Tolls, while staying in suite 206 at the Sun Valley Lodge in the fall of 1939.

Have you ever visited any Idaho wineries? Sampled any Idaho wine? Let us know your experience in the comments.

Disclaimer: My visit to the Snake River Valley AVA was hosted by the Idaho Wine Commission. Thoughts regarding the trip and wines are as always mine and mine alone.