Idaho Wine Commission
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Idaho: The original wine country
Before a single grape was ever planted in Washington or Oregon, European immigrants were already growing them here. Louis Desol and Robert Schleicher from France and Jacob Schaefer from Germany planted the first vines in Lewiston in 1864. according to the Idaho Wine Commission. By the 1870s, they were winning awards at competitions around the country. Idaho wine was on the up and up … and then Prohibition came along and brought the whole thing to a halt. It wasn’t until the 1970s that vineyards started up again, in the Snake River Valley and Northern Idaho.
Idaho Botanical Garden, Idaho Wine Commission partner to elevate Savor Idaho event
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Savor Idaho, the state’s premier wine and cider tasting event, entered a new era in 2026 as the Idaho Botanical Garden and the Idaho Wine Commission formally partnered to expand the experience into a more immersive celebration of Idaho wine, cider, place, and community.
Sip Magazine – Idaho Celebrates 17th Annual Wine & Cider Month in June
Idaho honors the Year of Riesling, the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA’s 10th anniversary, and Savor Idaho 2026
Wine Business Monthly – Idaho Celebrates 17th Annual Wine & Cider Month in June
BOISE, Idaho (June 2, 2026) – June is Idaho Wine & Cider Month, a statewide celebration of Idaho’s award-winning wines and ciders and the people who craft them. Throughout the month, wineries and cideries across the state will host special events, offer promotions, and welcome visitors to experience Idaho wine country during one of the industry’s most exciting years yet.
from BOISE – Exploring Idaho Wine
Before a single grape was ever planted in Washington or Oregon, European immigrants were already growing them here. Louis Desol and Robert Schleicher from France, and Jacob Schaefer from Germany planted the first vines in Lewiston in 1864. By the 1870s, they were winning awards at competitions around the country. Idaho wine was on the up and up… and then Prohibition came along and brought the whole thing to a halt. It wasn’t until the 1970s that vineyards started up again, in the Snake River Valley and Northern Idaho.
Capital Press – Savor Idaho wine, cider event set
Representatives of 35 wineries and cideries, and more than 30 other vendors and food truck operators are slated to attend, according to the Idaho Wine Commission. The event, a partnership of the commission and the Botanical Garden, will be set up throughout much of the garden. A sponsored VIP lounge is among planned new offerings.
Boise Weekly – Savor Idaho returns June 7 to Idaho Botanical Garden
The event, presented by the Idaho Wine Commission and Idaho Botanical Garden, is billed as Idaho’s premier wine and cider event and the flagship celebration of Idaho Wine and Cider Month, according to the website for the event. VIP early access is scheduled from 1 to 2 p.m., with general admission and designated driver entry from 2 to 5 p.m.
Sip Magazine – The Lewis-Clark Valley Finds Its Footing
An overlooked corner of Idaho and Washington is reestablishing itself as one of the Northwest’s most intriguing wine regions
KMVT – Idaho’s only USDA-certified organic vineyard prepares for growing season
After a long winter, grape vines are starting to wake up and prepare to bud for the season. For some varieties, they’re already pushing through.
Food & Wine – Toast to Earth Day With a Tasting at One of America’s Most Sustainable Wineries
Celebrate Earth Month with a glass of sustainably farmed wine, of which there is more now than ever across the United States. Allison Jordan, executive director of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, is optimistic about winemaking’s future noting that sustainability is not limited to a handful of pioneers, it’s happening at scale.
Idaho Wine Commission – Savor Idaho 2026
Boise, Idaho — April 1, 2026 Idaho’s wine industry continues to grow in national recognition, and its signature event is evolving with it. Savor Idaho, the state’s premier wine tasting experience, enters a new chapter this year as the Idaho Botanical Garden and the Idaho Wine Commission formally partner to elevate the event and transform it into a more immersive celebration of Idaho wine and cider, place, and community.
BoiseDev – ‘All the best’: Former Micron VP, One Stone exec, vineyard owners team on large new Sunnyslope winery
A couple is coming out of retirement to build a large winery that’s all “about connection.”
Teresa and Joel Poppen are preparing to launch Gem 73 Winery in Sunnyslope this summer. The multi-year project is a result of their long-time passion for wine.
Great Northwest Wine – Idaho’s Clearwater Canyon Cellars climbs to No. 4 on Platinum leaderboard
Coco’s continued flair for winemaking burnishes her reputation as “The Empress of the Platinum.” No woman winemaker has won as many Platinums (56), and she was just a freshman at the University of Idaho when the judging began in 2000.
Sip Magazine – From Portugal to the PNW: The Art of Port-Style Wines
Port wines (often just called Port) bring to mind that warm, slow sip in front of the fire after a good meal or perhaps after a day hitting the slopes. While people tend to serve Port as a solo sipper, it also pairs well with chocolate and cheese – including blue cheese, which doesn’t pair well with most wines. Port is a fortified wine, meaning the fermentation is stopped early by adding a neutral grape spirit designed to kill the yeast, thus locking in the wine’s natural sweetness and boosting the alcohol content.
BoiseDev – Seven Idaho winemakers claim medals in a top N. American wine competition
Seven Idaho wineries, including five from the Treasure Valley, received medals for one or more of their beverages in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, billed as the largest competition for North American wines in the world: Bitner Vineyards, Famici Wine Company, Holesinsky Winery, Huston Vineyards, Kindred Vineyards, Rivaura Estate Vineyards and Winery, and Vizcaya Winery.
13 Most Affordable Places to Travel for Spring Break in the U.S. and Mexico This Year
Boise isn’t a traditional spring break destination, which is precisely the appeal. Spring days are well spent biking or strolling along the 29-mile Boise River Greenbelt or hiking in the foothills just beyond downtown, while crowds—and prices—remain refreshingly low. The city is also an under-the-radar wine gateway, with easy access to the Snake River Valley AVA and a growing cluster of tasting rooms in neighboring Garden City. Back in Boise proper, don’t miss the Basque Block and Basque Museum or the ever-changing outdoor murals at Freak Alley Gallery. Finally, for an extra dose of festive energy, plan your visit around spring events like Treefort Music Fest or the Boise Flower & Garden Show.
Capital Press – Idaho Wine Commission Declares Year of Riesling
The commission’s “Year of Riesling” declaration for this year focuses on a wine grape variety grown in the state since the 1970s. Riesling wines are to be highlighted this year including on International Riesling Day March 13, at the Savor Idaho industry and community gathering to be held all day June 7 at Idaho Botanical Garden in east Boise, and throughout June — which is Idaho Wine and Cider Month.
Wine Industry Network – Idaho Wine Commission Announces 2026 as the “Year of Riesling”
“Riesling does well in Idaho because of its versatility. You can try it sweet or dry. Idaho Riesling can be tart, citrusy, lemony or ripe, tropical and floral. It’s not just a one-trick pony,” said Will Wetmore, award-winning winemaker and owner of Veer Wine Project in Garden City. “You can do a lot with Riesling. I’ve worked with it for years now and am always experimenting. I’ve never made it the same way twice.”
Wine Business Monthly – Year of Riesling
BOISE, Idaho (January 14, 2026) – The Idaho Wine Commission has declared 2026 the “Year of Riesling” in Idaho. One of the first varieties planted in Idaho after Prohibition, the grape has been grown since the late 1970s, marking over 50 years as one of the top varieties in the state. Riesling is popular with Idaho winemakers due to its versatile flavor profile that provides opportunity for creativity and experimentation.
Idaho Wine Commission Announces 2026 as the “Year of Riesling”
BOISE, Idaho (January 14, 2026) – The Idaho Wine Commission has declared 2026 the “Year of Riesling” in Idaho. One of the first varieties planted in Idaho after Prohibition, the grape has been grown since the late 1970s, marking over 50 years as one of the top varieties in the state. Riesling is popular with Idaho winemakers due to its versatile flavor profile that provides opportunity for creativity and experimentation.