Wine Tasting in and Around Boise

Sapna Dalal worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip.

Did you know one of the most underrated adventures in southwest Idaho is its burgeoning wine scene? To be fully transparent, I was not even aware of the beautiful, rolling vineyards and delicious varietals that are produced from this region. While maybe not quite as well-known as Napa Valley or Bordeaux, Idaho’s wine country should absolutely be on your list and simply cannot be missed. Whether you are a devoted oenophile or a novice when it comes to wine, I’m here to guide you on the best ways to explore the wine scene both in and around Boise.

Around Boise

Just on the outskirts of downtown Boise is an up-and-coming area called Garden City with several dedicated wine tasting rooms that are the perfect place to explore. Situated right along the Boise River Greenbelt, I visited three outstanding wine tasting rooms, each with its own unique ambiance and variety of wine offerings.

Coiled Wines– The newly opened tasting room has stunning décor and an elegant ambiance that is the perfect spot to cozy up and enjoy a glass or flight of wine. With hues of gold and royal blue throughout the space, it should also be noted that the wines are also made at this very location! Make sure to check out the Sidewinder (Syrah blend) or Rizza (Sparkling Brut Riesling) to name a few.

Telaya Wines– I highly recommend a visit to Telaya on a beautiful day to take advantage of the spacious patio adjacent to the bike trail with views of the Boise River. You can even bring your own picnic and snacks to enjoy with your wine on the patio or visit one of the rotating on-site food trucks. Otherwise, plan to enjoy wine tasting by the flight, glass or bottle in the inviting indoor space. Personal favorites included the Cabernet Sauvignon and Rosé.

Cinder Wines– The most spacious tasting room we visited in Garden City, the perfect spot for wine tasting with a group of friends, yet intimate enough for a date. The guided wine tasting includes six wines, with two particular red wines that came highly recommended by locals, the Valentina and the Tempranillo.

Sunnyslope Wine Trail

Located about 40 minutes outside of Boise is the Sunnyslope Wine Trail, part of the greater Snake River Valley Wine region. This specific area is home to 17 wineries and vineyards, the perfect jaunt for a day trip from Boise through wine country.

One of the best ways to explore this area is with Snake River Wine Tours.  The full day tour includes roundtrip transportation with pick-up and drop-off in downtown Boise (as well as several other fixed locations), a visit to four wineries and most of all, lots of fun! With transportation included, you can sit back and relax and take in the breathtaking landscapes as you’re chauffeured by a great guide in a sprinter van to some of the finest wineries. While each tour visits different wineries and here are the four we visited on our trip.

Scoria Vineyards– From the first sip of the Grüner Veltliner (a white wine), I was already a fan, but as we progressed to the red wines, I was hooked. As a Cabernet Sauvignon lover, I truly enjoyed the deep red wines from this local vineyard and especially the Cabernet/Petit Verdot blend. The Snake River Valley region is especially known for its Cabernets.

Huston Vineyards– Surrounded by colorful flowers and vines full of grapes, our tasting on the covered patio at Huston Vineyards was relaxing and extra special because we were lucky enough to meet the owner of the vineyard! Gregg spent time sharing about what makes the Snake River Valley wine region abundant for small-batch, artisanal wine production, as well as sharing about his family’s history in the winemaking business. We were also treated to a special tasting of Riesling, which was phenomenal, and of course the Cabernet was another personal favorite of mine.

Sawtooth Winery– While enjoying the beautiful, late afternoon sun on the outdoor patio, overlooking rolling hills of vineyards, we indulged in a tasting of three wines of our choice from the list of options at Sawtooth Winery. One of the standout and unique offerings is the mimosa flight, with fun versions like a blackberry mint mimosa made from Sparkling Brut, blackberry syrup, blackberry sparkling water and fresh mint.

Koenig Vineyards– With a setting that almost felt like visiting an Italian villa, our last stop included our tasting in the special barrel room. Surrounded by hundreds of wine barrels, we enjoyed a tasting of more than six different wines (our guide hooked us up!) and my absolute favorite was the Rosé, so much so, I may or may not have had two tastings of it.

So, whether you plan to spend your time in Boise or are feeling adventurous and ready to visit the Sunnyslope Wine Trail, there are many great wine tasting opportunities available. With such a wide array of varietals from white to red wines, there is truly something to satisfy any palate.

For more information on Idaho wines, make sure to visit the Idaho Wine Commission to learn more.

Feature image credited to Visit Idaho.

Sapna Dalal is the founder behind the brand Vegetarian Tourist. As a life-long vegetarian, she expresses her passion through writing and photography to share unique destinations; from the quirky, hole-in-the-wall joints to the most luxurious locations around the nation and the world. Follow her journey as she discovers and shares stories while blazing the global trail, one plate and country at a time. Instagram: @vegtourist