Ten years ago, Idaho’s oldest wine-growing region gained official status. On May 20, 2016, the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA was formally established as an American Viticultural Area, recognizing the unique geography and climate that make this corner of northern Idaho so well suited for growing grapes. So, in 2026, we're raising a glass to 10 years of the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA!
Of course, the region has been growing grapes for much longer than a decade. In fact, its wine story stretches back more than 150 years. So while its official designation just reached a decade, the Lewis-Clark Valley has had more than a century to perfect its wine-growing credentials.
For Coco Umiker of Clearwater Canyon Cellars, the anniversary is about more than simply marking a date on the calendar.
“Establishing the AVA gave our region a sense of identity and helped put the Lewis-Clark Valley on the map as a legitimate winegrowing region,” says Umiker. “I’m proud of how far we’ve come, and even more excited about where we’re headed.”
And there's plenty to be proud of. Over the past decade, the Lewis-Clark Valley has continued to build its reputation as a distinctive Idaho wine region, with vineyards and wineries showcasing what makes this corner of the state unique.
The Lewis-Clark Valley's wine story began in the 1860s, when European immigrants planted some of the first grapevines near Lewiston.
By 1908, more than 40 grape varieties were being grown in the area. That's right: 40 varieties. During this time, growers were already experimenting with different grapes and discovering what worked in the region's unique climate.
Unfortunately, the good times didn't last. Prohibition brought Idaho's early wine industry to a halt. Many vineyards disappeared and much of the wine that had been produced was turned into vinegar. It wasn't until decades later that winemaking began making its way back to the region.
The modern Idaho wine industry began to take shape again in the second half of the 20th century. As vineyards and wineries returned, growers began rediscovering what earlier generations had already learned: the Lewis-Clark Valley has the climate, elevation and soil to grow remarkable wine grapes.
An American Viticultural Area, or AVA, is a federally designated grape-growing region defined by distinctive geographic and climatic characteristics. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau established AVAs as a way to give vintners a way to better communicate where their grapes and wines come from, and to help consumers identify wines from a distinctive region.
The Lewis-Clark Valley earned that recognition in 2016. It spans portions of Idaho and Washington and encompasses approximately 479 square miles. Today, nearly 75 acres of vineyards are planted within the AVA.
But getting the Lewis-Clark Valley officially recognized wasn't an overnight process.
Umiker was directly involved in the effort, working alongside her husband, Karl Umiker and Mike and Melissa Sanborn of Colter’s Creek Winery for more than nine years to establish the AVA.
“Our local knowledge was essential to helping gather historical and contemporary information about the region,” says Umiker. “I’m so grateful we put forth the effort back then.”
That effort ultimately helped define the Lewis-Clark Valley's boundaries based on the region's distinct geographic and environmental characteristics—and gave the area's wine industry an official sense of place.
One of the first things you'll notice about the Lewis-Clark Valley is that it doesn't look like a traditional vineyard landscape.
The AVA follows the steep canyons of the Clearwater and mid-Snake Rivers and their tributaries. Deep, V-shaped canyons, low plateaus and benchlands create a landscape with plenty of variation in elevation, slope and exposure.
Those varied landscapes aren't just scenic—they play an important role in how grapes are grown here.
“The Lewis-Clark Valley is unique because it consists of canyon sides and bench lands, formed by both the Snake and Clearwater Rivers,” says Umiker. “Those varied elevations and exposures create a unique environment for growing grapes.”
At approximately 725 feet above sea level, the city of Lewiston, Idaho, home to several Lewis-Clark Valley vineyards and wineries, sits at the lowest elevation of any of Idaho's wine-growing regions. That lower elevation contributes to a relatively mild, temperate climate and a longer growing season. The area is even sometimes referred to as Idaho's “banana belt” because of its warmer conditions.
The region’s geography creates warm sunny days and cool nights that help grapes maintain acidity while they ripen. The surrounding canyons also provide beneficial air drainage and create slopes and aspects that can help with sunlight, frost protection and water drainage.
For growers, those conditions can translate into more control over how vines develop throughout the growing season.
“We enjoy hot, dry summers and cold wet winters in the Lewis-Clark Valley,” says Umiker. “These conditions allow us to control vine growth by giving just enough water during the growing season to produce exceptionally concentrated and developed flavors in the grapes.”
The result is a region capable of supporting a surprisingly diverse range of grapes. Some of the top varieties grown here today include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Grenache, Riesling and Chardonnay.
Warm-climate grapes such as Syrah can take advantage of the extended growing season, while varieties such as Riesling benefit from abundant sunshine and cooler nights.
The combination of low elevation, a temperate climate, river-carved terrain, and diverse exposures make the Lewis-Clark Valley different from the two other AVAs in southern Idaho, the Snake River Valley AVA and the Eagle Foothills AVA.
Spend an afternoon visiting local wineries and tasting wines made from grapes grown in the AVA. Then venture beyond the vineyards to explore the region's rivers, canyons and outdoor adventures.
The Lewis-Clark Valley is the kind of destination where you can spend the morning on the river, the afternoon surrounded by vines, and the evening raising a glass to the landscape that connects it all.
Umiker believes the region's biggest strength is its wine community of grape growers and winemakers.
“As we look toward the next 10 years, I hope we continue to build on that sense of collaboration and community,” says Umiker. “We’ve always believed that if one of us wins, we all win—and I think that mindset will be key to the continued growth and success of the Lewis-Clark Valley.”
With ten years as an AVA, more than 150 years of wine history, and plenty more to discover, make a plan this year to visit the Lewis-Clark Valley and discover the wineries, wines and adventures that make this northern Idaho region an unforgettable experience.