5 ways to wine it up this spring & summer

After a year stuck inside, life is starting to open up again. And it couldn't come at a better time. Spring, the season of rebirth, has arrived. And summer, with all its warmth and long days filled with never-ending sunshine, is right behind it. For wine lovers, adventurers, dreamers and others, there's no better time to get out and explore Idaho than now. So, lose the sweats and grab your gear. It's time to come out of hibernation and have some fun. In case you've forgotten how to have fun, here are five Idahocentric ideas to get you in the mood for fun.

Come as you are

Everywhere

For everything about wine in Idaho, there's only one place to turn. Our Tour Brochure is a generous pour of information on every wine region, every winery and cidery, and juicy tidbits about the state of the industry. When it comes to wine, this is the first place to turn for things to do, places to visit and important dates for uncorking a bottle or two.

Go on a wine tour

Snake River & Sunnyslope regions

A winery tour is always a good idea. One of the best ways to learn about wine is to visit many different wineries to see the vineyards and meet the winemakers themselves. And there's no better way to plan your visits and make the most of your time than by going on a wine tour. Best of all, the designated driver is built-in! In Idaho, there are several tours to choose from.

• Snake River Wine Tours: Referred to as “The Heart of Idaho Wine Country,” Snake River Wine Tours takes you to more than 15 wineries, offering award-winning wines and unique wine tasting experiences in the Treasure Valley.
• Sunnyslope Wine Trail: Nestled in the scenic Snake River Valley AVA, the Sunnyslope Wine Trail boasts 17 wineries and vineyards, award-winning wines, and intimate tasting and dining experiences, all framed by panoramic views.
• Sunshine Wine Tours: Getting off the beaten path is what Sunshine Wine Tours is all about, taking you to places you probably wouldn't find on your own. They cover a variety of stops for breathtaking scenery, rolling vineyards and unique and superb wines, of course.
• Idaho Wine Tours: Idaho Wine Tours offers three unique tour options to choose from, including Sunnyslope, Kuna and Urban Tours. Each tour focuses on what makes each winery special and each region unique.
• Winery Seekers: The original Idaho wine tour. Winery Seekers focuses on the Snake River Valley and downtown Boise regions. Owner/operator Kathy Johnson takes you behind the scenes everywhere – from small boutique wineries to larger more elaborate operations.

Camp in a vineyard

Lindsay Creek Vineyards & Y Knot Winery

It seems like everyone's talking about the Golden Globe-winning Nomadland, which examines a group of modern-day nomads living inside their RVs and camper vans. Now, we don't recommend you sell your home and hit the road permanently. (Although, that's cool if you do.) But we do fully endorse packing up your caravan for an entirely new and freeing camping experience – not at your local campground but at an actual Idaho vineyard! Taking a walk in a vineyard while enjoying a bottle of wine, getting close to nature, and watching the sunset without another soul in sight are perks you won't get at most campgrounds, where campers tend to be crowded together. Book your experience at the expansive Lindsay Creek Vineyards in Lewiston, through Harvest Hosts, a network of wineries, breweries, distilleries, farms, and attractions. Owned and operated by brothers Art and Doug McIntosh and their wives, Michelle and Brenda, Lindsay Creek is known for its award-winning wines, open space and festive events. And at the other end of the state in the Snake River Valley AVA, there's Y Knot Winery, which is home to the winery, restaurant and tavern, and even a golf course. The RV Park is located directly across the street from the winery – offering sweeping views, large shade trees, full hook-ups for both large and small units, and direct access to the golf course. Reservations can be made through Hipcamp, which is like Airbnb for the RV set.

Photo credit: Y Knot Winery

Go glamping

Sawtooth Winery

So, camping in an RV is one thing. Now, imagine a completely new level of comfort and luxury inside a glamping tent at the breathtakingly beautiful Sawtooth Winery, which best celebrates Idaho's rugged outdoor landscape and pioneering spirit. At Sawtooth, you can enjoy all the pleasures of camping without lugging all the gear. Each of the six new canvas tents come equipped with hotel-like amenities, including bed frames with queen-sized mattresses and luxurious Parachute linens and robes, outdoor dining and lounge furniture, YETI cooler, laminate hardwood floors, solar-powered lighting, device charging outlets, a private en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower, flushing toilet, mirror, Co. Bigelow premium toiletries, sink with hot and cold running water and so much more! And since no visit to Sawtooth would be complete without wine, every tent will have a wine menu to stock up for your stay. Sawtooth officially will start hosting guests on May 1st, 2021, so reserve your tent today and sleep under the stars this summer!

Photo credit: Sawtooth Winery

Explore urban wineries on the Greenbelt

Boise

When people think about wine tasting, they imagine driving to remote regions to drink wine on a sprawling estate surrounded by lush vineyards for as far as the eye can see. And, yes, you can do that. Or you can just grab your bike (or rent one if you're out of town; almost every downtown hotel offers cheap rentals) and head down to Garden City in downtown Boise, which informally and affectionately has come to be known as the "Southwest Urban wine region." Here, the beloved Boise River Greenbelt – a 25-mile cyclist and pedestrian tree-lined trail that runs along the eponymous Boise River – snakes its way along some of the city's most popular riverside parks, collectively are known as the Ribbon of Jewels. But for wine lovers, the real jewels are the assortment of wineries and cideries that can be found along the way, including Coiled Wines, Cinder Wines, Split Rail Winery, Telaya Wine Co. and Potter Wines. Due to its proliferation of diverse cuisine, art, culture, and outdoor recreation, it's the perfect place to sip and sample with friends. Check out the map of urban wineries below to help you know exactly where to go.

Take Idaho wine home

In the air / on the road

No matter what you do, you'll probably find a few favorite wines you won't want to part with. Don't be shy. Wine makes for the best souvenirs. If flying, the first important step is knowing TSA policies for packing alcohol. It's also good to review the policies of your airline, especially since many airline employees aren't familiar with their own policies. Alaska Airlines offers "Idaho Wines Fly Free" from Boise (BOI), Spokane (GEG) and Pullman (PUW) airports to all destinations in the United States. For road trippers, put your wardrobe to work for you. Place bottles inside sweaters or jackets. Then roll them up. Use exposed sleeves to wrap around the neck for extra protection. The neck is the most vulnerable part of the bottle. Once you've got your bottle (or bottles) all wrapped up, pack them snuggly inside your suitcase – keeping them away from the sides to prevent impact. A better option may be to pick up a travel bag, tote or carrier for extra protection. Just remember, during the summer wine can spoil quickly. Keep it out of the trunk. Unless it's already been opened. Re-corked wine is considered an open container and should never be in the cabin of your car.

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