Potatoes. Fields. Potatoes. Wine? Yes!
Believe it, cause its true. Wine (yes the same kind of wine you’re used to) is made in the great state of Idaho.
When you stop to think about it, Idaho is actually a logical place for wine to be made. It does, after all, share a border with Washington and Oregon. Yet somehow Idaho got left out of the Pacific Northwest wine party.
It might look like a rotting piece of printer paper from above, but it’s home to 51 wineries.
Some facts Idaho winemakers would probably like you to know: The first vineyards planted in the Pacific Northwest were in Idaho in the late 1860’s. Prohibition took a very harsh toll on the Idaho wine industry, because prohibition really sucked. It wasn’t until the early 1970’s that grapes were replanted in Southern Idaho.
The “Gem State” is now home to 51 wineries where cool-climate varietals like Riesling, Chardonnay and Viognier thrive. The Snake River Valley’s growing conditions are real similar to Washington’s Columbia Valley. Plus, it shares the 43rd parallel with Spain’s Rioja region. That alone should earn Idaho some street cred.
Flyover country is lookin’ pretty good for an extended stay!
Skiing, fishing, amazing scenery, potatoes AND wine? Look out, world. Idaho is comin’.
