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Idaho Wine Commission - Recent Posts

Nov 19, 2021 Idaho Wine Commission

Q&A with Veer Wine Project: A License to Experiment

What started out as a passion project for winemaker Will Wetmore is gaining momentum. The Idaho Wine Commission sat down with Will to learn what makes his label, Veer Wine Project, so unique, and how he’s let his curiosity lead the way since day one.

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Topics: Winemakers & Growers Feature

Nov 12, 2021 Idaho Wine Commission

Idaho’s 2021 Grape Harvest: Bright and Intense—Like Idaho’s Summer

Intense Heat

Temperatures soared across the Pacific Northwest in June this year, and the heat wave lingered in Idaho for a good chunk of the summer. National Weather Service data showed the Treasure Valley in southwest Idaho—home to two of the state’s American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)—had the hottest summer on record. And the heat affected the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA in the northern part of the state as well.

“During bloom time, it was about 100 degrees, so bloom went really fast,” said Vince Hewett, assistant winemaker at Rivaura Vineyard near Julietta, Idaho. He said they saw consistent 100-degree weather for close to a month in June and July.

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Topics: Wine Education, Winemakers & Growers Feature

Nov 3, 2021 Idaho Wine Commission

A Family Affair: The Story of Fujishin Family Cellars

Fujishin Family Cellars has a unique niche in the Idaho wine community—turning people onto something new by growing new grape varieties. For them, it’s what keeps winemaking fun. We sat down with co-founder Martin Fujishin (pronounced, aptly, like “magician”) to hear why growing lesser known varieties is worth the work, and how he and his partner and co-founder Teresa Moye continue to develop their passion for grape growing and winemaking.

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Topics: Winemakers & Growers Feature

Sep 15, 2021 Idaho Wine Commission

Going for the gold

This year, one of the most highly anticipated competitions of 2021 took place. After much planning and preparation, many worried that COVID would put a stop to the festivities before they even began. But with an abundance of caution, the fun and games went off without a hitch. Records were broken. Medals were given. Drama filled the air. And the glasses. No, we’re not talking about that other competition, the Olympic Games. This was the 12th annual Idaho Wine Competition, a celebration of Idaho wines and winemakers.

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Topics: Idaho Wine Events

Aug 19, 2021 Idaho Wine Commission

Idaho winemakers hope 2021’s intense heat leads to intense flavors

Idaho saw its summer temperatures rise sharply in June and continue through the months of July and August with temps regularly over 90 degrees— often climbing to triple digits. Climate research has found higher average temperatures are increasing, and the EPA reports that heat waves have increased in intensity, frequency, and duration over the last fifty years. For Idaho wine growers, like Mike Williamson of Williamson Orchards and Vineyards, the heat of the past few summers is a growing concern. “I kind of obsess a little bit over the 10-day forecast,” he says. “So, if something’s on the horizon, we start taking action to get ready for it now.”

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Topics: Wine Education

Jul 14, 2021 Idaho Wine Commission

Ready, set, BINGO!

Have you recently drank wine or cider on a patio? How about gone on a wine tour? Or maybe even chatted up a local winemaker or winegrower? Well, guess what… any one of these activities could make you a winner when you play Sip Local Bingo—summer’s best reason (25 reasons actually) to #DrinkIdahoWine all summer long.

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Topics: Idaho Wine Events

Jun 30, 2021 Idaho Wine Commission

The ABCs of the IWC

So, you get our emails, read our blogs, and love Idaho wine. But how much do you know about us and the work we do? And more importantly, how can YOU help us help grow the popularity of Idaho wines?

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Topics: Wine Education

Jun 23, 2021 Idaho Wine Commission

We wrote the book on starting a winery in Idaho

So, you have an idea. You like wine. Maybe you even have a background in science or chemistry. Or maybe you’ve fermented a batch or two and just have a knack for it. Now you’re thinking about going into the wine biz. But how to begin? Well, you’ve come to the right place. When it comes to starting a winery in Idaho, we wrote the book.

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Topics: Wine Education

Jun 2, 2021 Idaho Wine Commission

May we see your passport? Now boarding for Idaho Wine & Cider Month

Okay, let’s get the bad news out of the way first: this year, there’s no Savor Idaho, the crown jewel of Idaho Wine and Cider Month. But here’s the good news… You can still have fun discovering Idaho wines all month long with the Savor Idaho To Go Passport. The passport is your ticket to visit as many Idaho wineries and cideries as you can for special events, tastings, promotions and prizes!

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Topics: Support Local Wine, Idaho Wine Events, Local Cider, Wine Travel

May 19, 2021 Idaho Wine Commission

Bottle of red. Bottle of Bleu. The story of Rolling Hills Vineyard.

When Mark and Lori Pasculli met, they were just a couple of kids from the country working in a restaurant in California’s central valley. Little did they know, some three decades later, they would found one of Idaho’s newest vineyard and wineries, Rolling Hills Vineyard, with their kids and two dogs, Bandit and Bleu.

The dream of owning a winery may have been far off in the future. But a shared love of the land was always in their hearts. “We're both drawn to agriculture,” says Mark. “We were raised in the country. Even as a kid, I never lived on a paved road until I moved to California.”

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Topics: Winemakers & Growers Feature