Wine Touring in Southwest Idaho, Northwest USA

Visit Boise, Idaho's Unique Local Wineries, Hotels and Restaurants

Oct 30, 2009 Susan Lynne Hamilton

Numerous wineries in Southwest Idaho's Snake River Valley feature award-winning, hand-crafted wines. Stay in Boise hotels, dine out and travel by car to area wineries.

Most of Idaho’s wineries are scattered along the southwestern portion of the Snake River Valley. Nearby Boise, Idaho’s capital city, offers exclusive hotels and restaurants, as well as culture and recreation. Spend a leisurely day sightseeing and tasting at nearby wineries, whether driving, taking a tour bus or limousine.

Wine Country Tours in Boise, Garden City, Nampa and Kuna

Five boutique wineries, among many in the Boise area, offer a variety of tasting and touring:

Snake River Winery uses traditional wine-making methods to produce quality wines, such as chardonnay, riesling, tempranillo, malbec and Bordeaux blends. Stop by its tasting room in the heart of downtown Boise for a glass of award-winning wine.
Fraser Vineyard has its winery and tasting room in Boise’s downtown near Boise State University. It specializes in cabernet/merlot blends, viognier and cabernet sauvignon made from grapes grown on its nearby vineyard.
Syringa Winery, just outside Boise in Garden City, features merlots, cabernets and blends. This small winery utilizes grapes from the Snake River Valley AVA and labor-intensive methods to create its wines.
Sawtooth Winery, west of Boise in Nampa, is known for its high quality cabernet sauvignon, pinot gris and syrah, among the varietals it produces. Named Northwest Winery of the Year in 2006, Sawtooth’s winemaker has a long history in the wine industry.
Indian Creek – Stowe Winery, southeast of Nampa in Kuna, offers a popular white pinot noir and red blend, Star Garnet. This family-run winery was named Idaho winery of the year in 2008.

Boise Attractions, Hotels and Restaurants

Located in the Treasure Valley, Boise is called the City of Trees for the cottonwoods, willow and aspen that line the Boise River flowing through the city. Three large, verdant parks along the Boise River afford recreational opportunities. Museums (exhibiting art, history and science), a zoo and tour train are found in the heart of downtown Boise.

Choose from a variety of hotels in downtown Boise, some within walking distance of tasting rooms:

The Grove Hotel offers AAA four-diamond-rated lodging in downtown Boise. Its grand accommodations include a European-style lobby, restaurants and stylish rooms.
The Idaho Heritage Inn Bed & Breakfast, former home of Senator Frank Church, is within walking distance of downtown in the historic Warm Springs District. Eight restored Victorian rooms with private baths are available.
Boise Guest House features boutique lodging in the downtown area. The historic home has six guest rooms with all amenities included.
The Doubletree Hotel Boise – Riverside is surrounded by 14 scenic acres along the Boise River. The resort-style hotel is close to downtown Boise.

Dining establishments in Boise offer everything from regional cuisine to ethnic cafes:

Cottonwood Grille, in downtown Boise, is upscale yet unpretentious, with décor reminiscent of Aspen and fine Northwest cuisine.
Barbacoa, in southeast Boise, is a classy, Latin-fusion restaurant featuring Argentine-style meats grilled over open flames.
Cazba, in downtown Boise, features eastern Mediterranean décor and Greek, Egyptian, Lebanese and Turkish dishes.
Gernika Basque Pub & Eatery, in downtown Boise, reflects Boise’s heritage of Spaniards from the Pyrenees. Authentic Basque décor and cuisine are offered.

Wine Country Tours in Caldwell. Idaho

Touring five of the more well-known wineries in the Caldwell area, just west of Nampa and Boise, affords tasting many varietals:

Ste. Chapelle Winery, Idaho’s largest wine producer, offers tours of its facilities and views of the Snake River. The winery is known for its riesling and chardonnay as well as merlot, ice wines and sparkling wines.
Koenig Distillery Vineyards produces well-crafted wines (syrah, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and viognier) as well as vodka made from Idaho potatoes and brandies from local fruit.
Hell’s Canyon Winery crafts award-winning syrah, merlot, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon at its premium boutique winery from vineyards that are some of the oldest in the state.
Bitner Vineyards, a family-owned winery, was named Idaho Winery of the Year for 2009. It crafts Australian-style cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and shiraz.
Williamson Orchards & Vineyards utilizes organic growing methods for its fruits. The family-run winery produces riseling, viognier, syrah, cabernet sauvignon and port-style dessert wine.

Visit Boise, Idaho, for its unique attractions, hotels and restaurants. Wine touring downtown and the surrounding area includes trips to award-winning, boutique wineries. For more Northwest wine tours, visit Spokane, Washington’s 14 boutique wineries in historic buildings and Oregon's north Willamette Valley's world-class wineries.

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