AmericanWinery.com

As with Oregon and Washington, this northwestern state had vineyards planted in the nineteenth century, and there are indications that Idaho vines preceeded those in the other two states. prohibition killed off the wine industry that existed in 1919 (Idaho had state prohibition a year before the federal government). Like many states, it wasn’t until the 1970s that the industry began to revive. Today, Idaho has sixteen wineries and over 1,000 acres of vineyards. While a couple of these are in the Idaho “panhandle,” most are along the Snake River in southwestern Idaho, near Boise. Although the climate here is similar to that of Washington’s Columbia Valley, the vineyards are at a slightly higher altitude, the nights are cooler, and the growing season is shorter. As in other Rocky Mountain states, the long, hot summer days allow the grapes to mature and ripen to proper sugar levels, while the cool nights help set the grape’s acid levels. The northern latitude means longer summer days and more hours of sunlight. The Snake River creates a moderating influence, which mitigates summer heat and winter cold. The most popular varieties here are Chardonnay, Riesling, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Other grapes grown here include Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Fumé Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Lemberger, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, semillon, and Syrah. Ste. Chapelle winery, owned by Canandaigua wine Company, is Idaho’s principal winery, annually producing about 135,000 cases of wine.