This Epic Idaho Wine Trail Makes an Enchanting Weekend Getaway
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Endless acres of vineyards, beautiful working farms, and panoramic views in every direction. Welcome to Caldwell, Idaho, one of the most epic wine regions in the western United States!
Sure, there are other wine regions in Idaho, but this is true Idaho wine country, and no matter where you travel in the sprawling town of Caldwell, you are sure to see meticulously tended vineyards in every direction!
Eric and I were fortunate enough to spend several days exploring the wineries in Caldwell, Idaho, on our most recent cross-country road trip. We explored five incredible Caldwell wineries in the Snake River Valley as part of a self-guided tour on the Sunnyslope Wine Trail.
We learned so much about the history of winemaking in the region and treated our taste buds to some truly delicious wines, and we can’t wait to share some of what we discovered with you.
There are more than 20 wineries that you can visit as part of the Sunnyslope Wine Trail in Caldwell, and each one is unique, just like the wines they sell.
If you haven’t explored the vineyards and wineries around Caldwell, Idaho, you’re definitely in for a treat, and if you love wine tourism, Southwestern Idaho is a must-visit destination.
I promise that Idaho wine will blow you away. Look out, Napa – the Snake River Valley is on your tail!
A Quick Overview of Winemaking in Idaho
It really should come as no surprise that Idaho is great for growing grapes and making wine, but the reality is that it is still a bit of a secret to those who don’t pay close attention to the industry.
The Snake River Valley provides the perfect climate to nurture grapes, including fertile soil, a moderate climate, and a limited amount of rainfall.
According to the Idaho Wine Commission, Idaho grows and produces both classic and more adventurous wine varieties, including Syrah, Merlot, Riesling, Chardonnay, Malbec, and Tempranillo.
Idaho’s wine industry began in 1856 when early settlers planted grapes that thrived in the rich soil and sunny, dry climate. Idaho wine was a fast-growing and successful industry for more than 60 years, but Prohibition in 1919 quickly put an end to that success. Grapevines were pulled out to make room for other crops.
The first grapevines were planted in the Snake River Valley in the 1970s, and the wine industry in the region has been growing ever since. There are currently 65 wineries in Idaho and more than 1,300 acres of grapevines.
Idaho vineyards in the Snake River Valley produce more wine than anywhere in the state, thanks to the ancient volcanic sediment and well-drained soil that was created by Lake Idaho more than 2 million years ago.
The Sunnyslope Wine Trail celebrates the wine of the Snake River Valley, making it the perfect destination for wine lovers. Thanks in part to wine tourism, the town of Caldwell, Idaho, has also become an alluring destination for foodies and outdoor lovers.
Put these Amazing Wineries in Caldwell on Your Itinerary!
There are currently 20 Idaho wineries in Caldwell, and a total of 65 in the state, so in theory, you could devote an entire summer to sipping on delicious Idaho wines. Alas, most people don’t have a whole summer to devote to tasting wine, so here are our five favorite wineries in Caldwell, Idaho.
Sawtooth Winery
The first thing you’ll notice when you drive through the gates of the estate vineyards at Sawtooth Winery will be the views. Sawtooth and its sister winery, Ste. Chapelle, both sit high in the hills of Caldwell with acres of surrounding vineyards and orchards. The wide-open valley stretches out into the distance, and you’d be hard-pressed to find this view anywhere else.
The wines at Sawtooth are both elegant and approachable — our favorite being the Riesling, which has just a touch of sweetness and a whole lot of depth.
Sawtooth grapes come from both the Sawtooth Estate and from Skyline Vineyards, which together grow many different varieties that thrive in the dozens of microclimates that can be found across the 470 acres.
The allure of the setting and the zest of the wines may cause you to lose track of time, which is why I suggest visiting Sawtooth and Ste. Chapelle Wineries last as the sun is starting to sink toward the horizon.
Sawtooth Winery | Address: 19348 Lowell Road Caldwell, ID 86307
Open daily: 11 am – 5 pm
Ste. Chapelle Winery
St. Chapelle Winery is the oldest and largest winery in Idaho, tucked away in a swath of trees next to Sawtooth Winery and surrounded by vineyards in all directions.
The small building that serves as a tasting room is a round, stuccoed structure with a conical roof and tall windows. There are epic views from inside and plenty of cozy seating, but you can also sip your wine outdoors while playing corn hole and taking in the surrounding scenery.
Ste. Chapelle is the only winery we visited during our stay that offered food selections to pair with the wine tastings. It was very much appreciated, and also delicious!
Wine offerings include Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.
Ste. Chapelle Winery | Address: 19348 Lowell Road, Caldwell, ID 86307
Open daily: 11 am – 5 pm
Fujishin Family Cellars and Free Dog Wines
This stop on our tasting adventure included a tasting with a very knowledgeable guide (thanks, Drake!) for $5. Dogs are welcome too, which we always appreciate, even when we are traveling without our favorite canine.
Free Dog Wines is run by a husband and wife team that aims to make wines that are approachable and refreshing.
At our tasting, we learned about the difference between letting wine age in oak versus stainless steel, why the Snake River Valley is such a unique region for growing grapes, and the history of winemaking before and after prohibition.
Free Dog Wines specializes in lesser-known varieties and playful blends that feature grapes from Idaho and the Northwest.
We loved the Free Dog Off-the-Leash White, which was clean, fragrant, and perfect for the sweltering day we were dealing with. The Free Dog tasting room is small, so try to get there early. Reservations are not accepted unless you have a party of 12 or more.
Free Dog Wines | Address: 15593 Sunnyslope Rd Caldwell, ID 83607
Open Wednesday through Sunday: 12 – 6 pm
Hat Ranch Winery
Our next stop is Hat Ranch Winery, just down the road from Free Dog Wines. The Harless Family started Hat Ranch in 2011, naming the venture after the original ranch and homestead operated by their great-grandparents in 1902.
The small tasting room at Hat Ranch Winery is located on a sprawling vineyard. Local artwork hangs from the walls (and is available for sale), and there are several cozy nooks for guests to relax while tasting.
Five wines are available for tasting each day, so you’re never quite sure what you’re going to get. Hat Ranch has produced numerous award-winning wines, and they are known for their small batches of unique varieties, including their 2016 Hat Trick Red (our favorite), a 2018 Estate Dry Moscato, and a 2018 Dry Rosé.
Hat Ranch Winery | Address: 15343 Plum Road, Caldwell, ID 83607
Open daily: 12 – 5 pm
Koenig Vineyards
Koenig Vineyards was founded in 1995 with a south-facing estate vineyard and a goal of creating small batches of hand-crafted wine. Today, Koenig Vineyards produces an eclectic mix of varieties from several vineyards in the Snake River Valley.
Varieties produced include Viognier, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling, Sangiovese, Petite Sirah, Chardonnay, and Port-style dessert wines. We were also fortunate enough to try two types of Ice Wine, which are only produced occasionally.
The tasting room at Koenig Vineyards is huge, with both indoor and outdoor spaces. Cozy leather couches and intimate seating areas are scattered throughout the tasting room indoors, and walls of windows make it easy to embrace the gorgeous views in all directions.
In addition to tasting fabulous wines, visitors can play lawn games – there’s a larger-than-life chessboard that will help you channel your inner Harry Potter – or climb the Koenig tower for a birds-eye view of the valley and the sprawling vineyards.
Koenig Vineyards | Address: 21452 Hoskins Road, Caldwell, Idaho 83607
Open daily: 12 – 5 pm
Where to Eat Near the Sunnyslope Wine Trail
Before you embark on your wine-tasting weekend, be sure to let go of all of your preconceived notions about food in the area. There are numerous farm-to-table restaurants in Caldwell and Nampa, and we were so impressed with every place that we tried.
We found our first (and favorite) restaurant – Amano – by following the advice of Visit Idaho, but after that, we just went with advice from the locals, and they didn’t steer us wrong!
Here are our top picks for restaurants in Caldwell and Nampa:
Amano: Open for lunch and dinner, Amano is a craft Mexican kitchen in downtown Caldwell that delivers tradition in a vibrant and modern setting. Everything at Amano is made from scratch, from the tortillas and desserts to the artistically prepared cocktails.
You won’t find bean burritos at Amano, but you will find out-of-the-ordinary culinary creations like La Milpa, a combination of grilled summer squash, refried black beans, and homemade salsa on heirloom blue corn tortillas. Our experience at Amano was truly the highlight of our 3,000-mile road trip across the United States, so please don’t pass it up if you’re in the area.
Oh, and be sure to make a reservation – the delectable fare isn’t exactly a secret.
Holy Cow: If you love a good burger with all the fixings, you will appreciate Holy Cow in downtown Nampa. They locally source all of their meat and produce, their fries are beer-battered to perfection, and the beer pairs perfectly with just about everything on the menu. This is real food at affordable prices – perfect after a day of tasting wine! Holy Cow is open every day from 11 am to 9 pm.
Brick 29 Bistro: Another Nampa favorite, Brick 29 Bistro specializes in upscale comfort food – sandwiches, soups, salads, steaks, and homemade desserts. It’s a perfect spot for a relaxing lunch, especially if you indulge in rhubarb grilled cheese, which consists of brie, mozzarella, rhubarb compote, and Swiss fondue on garlic-toasted sourdough bread. Talk about decadence! Brick 29 Bistro is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 am to 9 pm.
Grit 2C: Located in downtown Caldwell, Grit offers classy American cuisine with both lunch and dinner options. Like all of our favorite restaurants in Caldwell, Idaho, Grit is committed to sourcing local ingredients and then using them to create eclectic, delicious meals that are also affordable. I appreciated the fresh, inspired salads after too much road trip food, and Eric loved the turkey club. Grit is open for both lunch and dinner but closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Orchard House: Several of the wineries we visited suggested we go to the Orchard House for Breakfast. It’s heavenly! Cinnamon rolls from scratch! Baskets of beignets! Buckwheat pancakes! I only regret that we didn’t eat there every morning of our stay in Caldwell. It’s open Monday-Saturday, from 7 am to 3 pm.
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