The Traditions of Idaho Wineries During Harvest

As autumn arrives in Idaho, the leaves start turning into beautiful shades of red, orange and yellow. The chilly mornings make you want to cozy up by the fire, while the evening sun sets earlier, giving way to quiet, cool nights.

During this time, the vineyards across the state come alive with activity. Harvest season is not only the busiest time of year for the Idaho wine industry, but also one of the most cherished. It’s when winemakers can finally see the fruits of their labor—literally—and begin transforming carefully tended grapes into the fine wines Idaho is known for.

This magical time of year is more than just a time for picking grapes, it’s a season of celebration steeped in tradition and community engagement. Let’s find out how Idaho wineries offer a glimpse into the heart of their craft during harvest season.

What Is Idaho Harvest Season?

Idaho vineyards go through a lot of changes throughout their growing cycle, and harvest season is just one, very important, part of that journey. Harvest typically occurs during late summer or early fall, but the real sign for when it’s time to harvest is when the grapes are fully ripe. The grapes will begin to swell with water and become fleshy to the touch. Idaho winemakers will then begin to test the grape’s sugar levels to determine if they’ve increased enough to be picked or harvested.

We wanted to understand what harvest means to our Idaho wineries. Mindy Mayer, owner of Kerry Hill Winery, Melanie Krause, founder and winemaker of Cinder Wines, and Caitlin Holesinsky, owner and winemaker of Holesinsky Vineyards and Winery, all took time out of their crazy harvest schedules to share their thoughts about the season.

Idaho’s 2024 Harvest

Mindy Mayer, owner of Kerry Hill winery, is fascinated by how much a vineyard is at the mercy of nature and the role weather plays in viticulture. Idaho’s summer heat wave caused Kerry Hill’s harvest season to begin earlier this year which forced them to adjust to the change. A late frost in spring caused them to lose some of their malbec grapes but their cabernet franc is producing more fruit than it ever has. Mindy knows that she is on nature’s schedule and has learned to adapt. 

Melanie Krause, founder of Cinder Wines, agrees the weather has had a significant impact on this year's harvest. They have had to work at a fast and steady pace as the grapes ripened fast due to heat.  Melanie is happy that no smoke taint was found in any of their wines and the fruit harvested so far is looking fantastic. She  loves waking into the winery and smelling the aroma of fermenting grapes.

Caitlin Holseinsky, owner of Holesinsky Winery, loves harvest time because it means she isn’t the only early riser. She is greeted in the morning by huge smiles on the faces of her crew and everyone is happy to get to work. She also feels the most gratitude during harvest. She is grateful for an amazing team and vineyard crew, and for the grapes grown.

Holesinsky winery is proud to be a certified organic winery and Caitlin is thankful for the beautiful terroir which allows them to cultivate their grapes organically. She is particularly excited about the new wine varietals that Holesinsky is currently working with: tempranillo, carménere, sangiovese and grenache. Her team is passionate about wine and excited to see what they can produce with these new varietals.

Idaho Wine Harvest Traditions

Harvest season and the autumn season in general, is the time of year when people want to gather together to share a meal and a glass of wine. It’s a time for togetherness. Come Over October is a movement supported by the Idaho wine industry with a sole purpose of promoting togetherness during the month of October. With a glass of your favorite wine, your favorite friend, and a cozy setting, who wouldn’t want to come over and enjoy some laughs! 

Many Idaho wineries are kicking off harvest season with events that embody the spirit of harvest. Cinder, Holesinsky and Kerry Hill offer incredible opportunities for people to experience harvest in unique ways. Check them out below and if you missed out this year, be sure to mark your calendars for next year!

Kerry Hill Winery’s Harvest Events

Mindy was inspired by the “I Love Lucy” episode where Lucy stomps grapes in Italy, when she decided to start the annual Grape Stomp Charity Fundraiser. Every year she chooses a different charity to donate the proceeds from the event to. This year, she partnered with the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. The event included a grape stomping competition, cornhole tournament, and barbeque. There are still plenty of other events you can attend at Kerry Hill Winery!

Cinder Wines Harvest Events

Cinder Wines offers Harvest Tours in the month of October as well as a slew of other events you can attend. Cinder Wine Club Manager, Nikki Harman, feels that harvest time at Cinder is an immersive experience. Not only can you smell the fermenting grapes, you can hear grapes in the process of being pressed, or watch a forklift moving bins of grapes around the production floor. The magic is happening all around you when you enter Cinder’s tasting room. In November, they will have a Barrel Tasting Event after Thanksgiving in which you can learn about winemaking and taste wine straight from the barrel.

Holesinksy Vineyards and Winery Harvest Events

Holesinsky celebrated their annual Grape Stomp and Harvest Party at the end of September but you can always count on having a good time at their tasting room.

Plan Your Visit To Idaho For Harvest Season

Idaho’s harvest experience is unique because it is so real and immersive. You can visit any winery in Idaho and have a conversation with either the owner or the winemaker.  This is something you don’t find yourself being able to do in larger wine regions. The feeling of community and togetherness is ever present in Idaho’s wine industry and we invite you to experience it for yourself. 

Check out Come Over October for other ways to enjoy wine as a community!