Meet the Faces Behind Idaho’s Premier Wine Tours

There’s nothing better than riding in style to a winery, enjoying good tunes, and sharing laughs along the way. Snake River Wine Tours, Snake River Adventures, and Idaho Wine Tours have all established themselves as premier wine touring companies in the state. Now, it’s time to meet the dedicated people who have made these companies what they are today.

Snake River Wine Tours                           Idaho Wine Tours                                  Snake River Adventures

New York City to Idaho’s Wine Country: The Journey of Samantha Maxey and Snake River Wine Tours

In 2014, Snake River Wine Tours’ current owner, Samantha Maxey, was asked to dance on Mulberry Street in New York City’s Little Italy. Little did she know at the time that she was saying ‘yes’ not only to a dance, but to her future husband and a new life in Idaho.

Samantha and Corbin Maxey, Snake River Wine Tours

Two years later, Samantha moved to Marsing, Idaho, with her husband Corbin, and they began exploring the tasting rooms in the Western Treasure Valley and Sunnyslope region. Inspired by her experiences driving friends and family to local wineries during their visits, Samantha decided to create an elevated wine tasting experience of her own. 

In 2018, with just a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van and an Instagram account, Snake River Wine Tours was born. Today, Snake River Wine Tours is recognized as the #1 wine touring company in the nation by USA Today. For Samantha, one of the highlights of her job is being part of someone's “best day ever!” She also loves working with the incredible wineries and showcasing the region’s wines.

Rooted in Idaho: Aiyana and Kyle Moore’s Vision for Idaho Wine Tours

Aiyana and Kyle Moore are the current owners of Idaho Wine Tours. Their connection to Idaho runs deep, with roots going back four generations on Kyle’s side of the family. They purchased Idaho Wine Tours just over a year ago, driven by their passion for Idaho’s wine industry. Their mission? To bring awareness to the growing and incredibly talented Idaho wine family.

Idaho Wine Tours bus

For the Moores, the best part about owning a wine tour company in the Treasure Valley is the opportunity to share Idaho’s hidden gems with others. They’re committed to creating an experience that highlights the state’s rich wine culture. 

Generations of Success: Kacey Jackson and the Evolution of Snake River Adventures

Let’s travel back 47 years to when Snake River Adventures first started offering jet boat experiences through Hells Canyon. While the jet boat tours were a big hit among Idaho and Oregon residents and visitors, Kacey Jackson saw a bigger vision as the second generation of this family business. In 2014, she expanded the adventure to include Wine on the Snake—a unique experience that combines wine tastings with breathtaking views of the Snake River.

Jackson family, Snake River Adventures

For Kacey, the best part of her job is providing tours for over 40,000 people each year. Today, twenty guests at a time can enjoy wine, meats, and cheese while cruising through Hells Canyon on a jet boat, making it an unforgettable, bucket-list experience.

How Idaho’s Top Wine Tour Companies Adapt to the Seasons

These amazing tour companies offer unique wine tours year-round, with each season bringing its own charm. While Snake River Adventures pauses its river wine tours from December to February to prepare for the next season, Snake River Wine Tours and Idaho Wine Tours continue to offer experiences during the quieter fall and winter months.

Snake River Wine Tours winter and spring group tours

For Samantha and Aiyana, the slower seasons are an opportunity rather than a challenge. They enjoy the more relaxed pace, which allows them to focus on different aspects of their businesses and prepare for the busier months ahead.

Overcoming Challenges With Resilience and Passion

Running a wine tour company isn’t without its challenges. For Samantha from Snake River Wine Tours, finding the time to “do it all” is her biggest hurdle. She juggles tours, networking opportunities, meetings, and her personal life, viewing this as a positive challenge that she’s learned to navigate successfully.

Aiyana from Idaho Wine Tours, on the other hand, faces the economic challenges of operating a business with high costs, including fuel, water, ice, and insurance. She’s also passionate about increasing local awareness of Idaho’s wine regions, a challenge she’s continuously eager to tackle.

For Kacey from Snake River Adventures, the biggest challenge comes from nature itself. The water levels in Hells Canyon have been dropping over the past five years, making it increasingly difficult to operate tours. Despite this, Kacey and her team remain committed to providing exceptional service and unforgettable experiences for their guests.

Life Beyond Wine Tasting Tours

When they’re not leading tours, these passionate individuals can be found enjoying Idaho’s great outdoors. Samantha loves to travel and is excited to visit South Africa again soon. Kacey enjoys spending time on the river, horseback riding, and exploring the mountains with her family. Aiyana is often camping, fishing, hiking, or biking when she’s not touring wine country.

And when it comes to wine, they each have their favorites. Samantha loves a glass of Syrah paired with a steak covered in bleu cheese. Aiyana is a fan of Pinot Noir and has recently become enamored with Idaho’s Chardonnay. Kacey enjoys pairing a good meat and cheese platter with a glass of Clearwater Canyon Cellars wine.

Book Your Next Adventure Through Idaho Wine Country!

Snake River Wine Tours, Idaho Wine Tours, and Snake River Adventures are all dedicated to promoting Idaho’s wine country and its inviting landscapes. Next time you’re planning a visit to one of Idaho’s wineries or want to enjoy a glass of wine on the Snake River, be sure to book a tour with one of these exceptional companies. They’ll provide you with an unforgettable experience, full of great wine, beautiful scenery, and lasting memories.