When it comes to wine, Idaho’s winemakers have long excelled at classic varietals like Syrah, Merlot, and Riesling. But a growing number of Idaho growers and winemakers are experimenting with uncommon grapes, lesser-known wine varietals, and diverse winemaking styles, and the results are delicious.
From crisp Grüner Veltliner to rustic Barbera, Idaho is proving that its climate and soil can do much more than the classic varietals we know and love. Here’s a taste of the unique wines you’ll find in Idaho right now.
Grüner Veltliner is a white grape variety most famously grown in Austria, where it is considered the country’s signature white wine. Grüner Veltliner thrives in hilly or terraced vineyards, benefitting from good drainage and sun exposure. This grape also prefers cool to moderate climates with warm days and cool nights, AKA, diurnal shifts.
While Grüner Veltliner isn’t widely available in the U.S. due to its specific growing needs, this grape has found a promising home in Idaho. The Snake River Valley offers the perfect balance of high-desert plateau elevation, volcanic soil, and diurnal shifts.
Huston Vineyards was the first to grow Grüner in Idaho in 2020. With an exceptional expression of Idaho terroir, Grüner Veltliner shines here with bright citrus and crisp green apple balanced by refreshing acidity. Now, multiple Idaho wineries like Telaya Wine Co., and Scoria Vineyards also present award-winning Grüner Veltliners that deserve a spot in your glass.
Nebbiolo is a red grape variety most famously grown in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. It produces light-colored wines with bold tannins, high acidity, and aromas of cherry, rose, and tar. Nebbiolo is a finicky, old grape that needs very specific conditions to thrive. It flowers early, ripens late, and prefers hillside locations and clay-based soils.
Thankfully, Idaho checks all of Nebbiolo’s boxes! Lanae Ridge Vineyard in the Snake River Valley provides good drainage, a long, bright growing season and silt-based soils.
Koenig Vineyards’ 2022 Nebbiolo was grown on a single-vineyard plot. With delicate aromas followed by robust tannins and balanced acidity, this alternative varietal is a must-try in Idaho. Pair it with traditional Italian cuisine for a delicious tasting experience.
Originally from the cooler regions of Germany, Gewürztraminer is a fragrant white varietal known for its exotic aromas of lychee, rose, ginger, and spice. It's one of the most aromatic white wines in the world, and we’re delighted to see that it’s found an ideal growing environment right here in Idaho.
Gewürztraminer forms in tight clusters and has thin skin, making it susceptible to mildew and rotting. Well-drained soil and cool to moderate climates are vital for these grapes to thrive. Here in Idaho, our volcanic soil provides a well-drained system while the arid conditions help regulate temperatures and reduce the risk of disease.
Idaho Gewürztraminer wines tend to show beautifully expressive aromatics balanced by bright acidity and a clean finish. Try a glass of the 2021 Gewürztraminer from Sol Invictus Vineyards or the 2024 Dry Gewürztraminer from Parma Ridge.
Barbera is a red grape variety originally from the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. Barbera is often loved for its deep red fruit flavors, zippy acidity, and a smooth, easygoing structure that makes it shine at the dinner table.
Barbera doesn’t ask for much, but it thrives when given the right balance of sunshine, elevation, and drainage. Idaho delivers all three. The Snake River Valley’s volcanic soils and southwest-facing slopes mirror the conditions of Northern Italy’s hillside vineyards, offering this wine varietal the terroir it needs to fully ripen without losing its hallmark freshness. Plus, the region’s dramatic day-to-night temperature shifts enhance aromatics and preserve that essential acidity.
A true hidden gem, Cuesta Sol is a micro-boutique winery crafting small-batch Barbera with serious character. Their 2020 Estate Reserve Barbera won a gold medal at the 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Gold. With tastings available by appointment only, you’ll get a rare opportunity to experience one of Idaho’s most distinctive and unique wines in an intimate, handcrafted setting.
Verdejo
Bright, aromatic, and refreshingly unexpected, Verdejo is one of the most exciting wine varietals being made in Idaho right now. Originally from Spain’s Rueda region, this white grape is known for producing wines with zesty acidity, citrus and stone fruit flavors, and subtle herbal undertones.
Verdejo might be a lesser-known grape to many American wine drinkers, but Idaho winemakers are proving it deserves a place on your patio and your dinner table. From crisp and mineral-driven to round and textured, Idaho Verdejo showcases a stylistic range that’s both versatile and food-friendly.
Try the 2021 Verdejo from Cinder Winery and the 2023 Verdejo from Telaya Wine Co. to experience this unique wine combining lime zest and white peach flavors. Old-world inspired and Idaho crafted, these wineries are celebrating what’s possible when a Spanish classic meets the high-elevation vineyards of Idaho.
Pétillant Naturel, or Pét-Nat, is a style of sparkling wine made using the ancestral method. By bottling before the fermentation process is complete, the result is a softly fizzy, unfiltered, low-sulfur wine. Known for its low-intervention winemaking, Pét-Nat is a playful alternative to traditional sparkling wines.
This natural sparkling wine can be made from a wide range of grape varieties. In Idaho, popular grape varieties like Riesling and Chardonnay create bright and delicious Pét Nats.
Curious to try it for yourself? Head over to one of Idaho’s most unique and unconventional wineries, Split Rail Winery, and try their 2023 White Noise Pet Nat. This sparkling Riesling won a Double Gold Medal for the best sparkling wine at the 2023 Idaho Wine & Cider Competition. The judges loved it, and we think you will too.
Here in Idaho, winemakers aren’t bound by tradition, they’re inspired by it and free to experiment with everything from classic wine types to lesser known varietals you won’t find just anywhere. Our high desert plateaus, winding river valleys, and ancient volcanic soils create microclimates that bring out bold aromatics, vibrant acidity, and unique expressions of each unique grape variety. Idaho wines are a reflection of our land, our people, and our pioneering spirit. So pull up a chair, pour a glass, and taste what makes this up-and-coming region so special. We’re just getting started—and everyone’s invited.
