Idaho's wineries gather in the high desert around Boise, with more in the canyons of the Lewis-Clark Valley and the Panhandle's lake country to the north. Cruv maps them and shows who is pouring now, plus the events ahead.
45+ places in Cruv · 90+ upcoming events · 6 wine regions
A farm-country wine trail about 30 minutes west of Boise, with many small family-owned wineries and high-desert Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Syrah.
20+ places in Cruv · 50+ upcoming events
More wine regions in Idaho
10+ places in Cruv
Boise and neighboring Garden City, just west along the river, form an urban wine region. Many tasting rooms are within reach on foot or by bike on the Greenbelt, and Viognier, Syrah and Tempranillo are best known.
4 places in Cruv
The Eagle region, northwest of Boise, takes in the Eagle Foothills AVA, established in 2015 within the larger Snake River Valley AVA. Foothill slopes and fast-draining soils shape the wines, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Tempranillo are best known.
6 places in Cruv
The Lewis-Clark Valley AVA, established in 2016, spans the Idaho-Washington line around Lewiston and Clarkston. Lower elevation than in southern Idaho allows a longer growing season, and the Idaho Wine Commission traces grape growing in Lewiston to the 1860s.
5 places in Cruv
In the Idaho Panhandle, Coeur d'Alene sits among lakes and Sandpoint is a mountain town. Producers here make grape wine, fruit wine and cider, and some visits need an appointment.
4 places in Cruv
South Central is a high-desert region of wineries and cideries in towns such as Mountain Home, Glenns Ferry and Buhl. Big day-to-night temperature swings balance the grapes, and Chardonnay, Syrah and Pinot Noir are best known.
The Idaho Wine Commission counts Riesling, Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot among Idaho's most popular wines. Viognier is one of three whites on its top-varietals list.
White
Riesling is one of Idaho's most popular wines, and the Idaho Wine Commission says it likes the cooler climate. Nights that drop 20 to 30 degrees offset hot summers. The Lewis-Clark Valley is known for it too.
White
The Idaho Wine Commission says Chardonnay loves the Snake River Valley's sunny slopes. It is among the best-known wines of Western Treasure Valley & Sunnyslope, Eagle, South Central and Coeur d'Alene & Sandpoint. Lewis-Clark Valley is known for it too.
White
Viognier needs a long, warm season short of extreme heat, which the Commission says Idaho's climate supplies. Some call it queen of the Snake River Valley's whites, and it is among Boise & Garden City's best-known wines.
Red
Merlot ripens late and is less cold hardy, yet the Commission says it thrives in small local climates within the Lewis-Clark Valley and Snake River Valley AVAs. It is also among the wines the Lewis-Clark Valley is known for.
Red
Syrah favors the warm spots in Idaho, according to the Idaho Wine Commission, which lists it among the best-known wines of Western Treasure Valley & Sunnyslope, Boise & Garden City, South Central and the Lewis-Clark Valley.
Red
Cabernet Sauvignon prefers the warmer parts of Idaho, and the Idaho Wine Commission lists it among the best-known wines of Western Treasure Valley & Sunnyslope, Eagle and Coeur d'Alene & Sandpoint. The Lewis-Clark Valley is known for it as well.
