Winter Wine Touring In Southwest Idaho

Believe it or not, Idaho has a great wine scene, and one of the best is the Snake River country of Southwest Idaho. In fact, the biggest enclave of wineries in Idaho is known as the Sunnyslope Wine Trail. Wine has a great culture that surrounds it no matter where you are. Moreover, consuming a little wine everyday has been known to stem the rising tide of chronic illnesses such as cancer and diabetes. What better way to maintain your health than by social drinking?

Lizard Butte from Snake river nr Marsing

The Sunnyslope Wine Trail of Idaho helps lovers of wine by hosting regular events throughout the year. The Winter holiday season is a big time for all of the 14 wineries on the trail. As February draws ever closer, the cooperative of wines is beginning to plan its Chocolate and Wine Weekend, which will take place February 12-14, 2016. Many of the wineries will feature chocolate and wine pairings.
At Fujishin Cellars, you can taste a fantastic option – the 2014 Gewurztraminer. Though labeled as a summer wine, it was recently released and is a great dry white to accompany charcuterie and cheeses. If you prefer red, try Fujishin’s Lost West 2013 Barbera. The first time this has been released at Fujishin, this red is an Italian-style wine, so be sure to pair it with Italian cuisine.

If you’re looking for a place to stay during your Valentine’s visit, there are at least two wineries on the trail with bed and breakfast accommodations. Hat Ranch Winery, which boasts a unique wine in its Dry Moscato, also has one guest room that overlooks its vineyard. Bitner Vineyards, whose owner has a Ph.D. in viticulture and also raises bees and grows truffles, has two rooms and a friendly Jack Russell Terrier as a bellhop.

Have you visited the Trail and fallen in love with all the wineries? Join their clubs. They have various options, from just half a case a year to mix-and-match. Fujishin even fills its own growlers at the winery.

The Sunnyslope Wine Trail website has all the information you need to take a trip, including a PDF map of the trail itself. Check out four wineries, or check out all 14; just come check them out.