EAGLE, Idaho — Expertise, passion, talent and agritourism don’t always line up with a community’s land-use policy. The debate within Idaho’s Eagle Foothills American Viticultural Area revolving around farming, wine production, consumer engagement and property rights serves as an example of how cultural confusion can stifle an expanding agricultural sector of a local … [Read more...] about Idaho winegrowers continue uphill battle along Eagle Foothills
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Kindred Vineyards & Winery 2021 Mamas Merlot, Snake River Valley $36
Owner/winemaker Craig Davis was inspired to enter the Idaho wine industry after a trip to Italy, which also helps explain the menu of wood-fired pizza that he offers to his by-appointment visitors each weekend at his Sunnyslope estate along Frost Road west of Ste. Chapelle. Beyond his Sangiovese program - which earned best-of-class acclaim at the 2023 Cascadia International - … [Read more...] about Kindred Vineyards & Winery 2021 Mamas Merlot, Snake River Valley $36
Despite wine industry doomsayers, 24th Platinum Awards lead to 230 delicious stories
As someone who has followed, written and tasted some of the best that the Pacific Northwest wine industry has offered in the past 25 years, it is disappointing and occasionally maddening to read some of the headlines written recently. That’s why it is uplifting — albeit time-consuming — to share the delicious news from our 24th annual Platinum Awards, which dominates the … [Read more...] about Despite wine industry doomsayers, 24th Platinum Awards lead to 230 delicious stories
Clearwater Canyon Cellars NV Waha IV Red Wine, Washington $28
For the second straight year, Coco Umiker’s fascinating Waha program has received a Platinum, and here is her first Double Platinum for the multi-vintage blend. Its legacy harkens back to when she held back several barrels of red wine from the 2015 vintage. Later, she sent wine from those selected barrels through fresh lees from some 2016 reds and returned that wine to barrel. … [Read more...] about Clearwater Canyon Cellars NV Waha IV Red Wine, Washington $28
Koenig Vineyards 2022 Williamson Vineyard Dry Riesling, Snake River Valley $18
Best Buy! The Williamson family was a strong supporter of Ste. Michelle’s Riesling Rendezvous, and their time surrounded by many of the world’s top Riesling producers prompted the family to take their program into a drier style. That has led James and Sydney Nederend of Koenig Vineyards to do the same, and it resulted in one of the best Rieslings of this year’s Platinum. Aromas … [Read more...] about Koenig Vineyards 2022 Williamson Vineyard Dry Riesling, Snake River Valley $18