Boise Wineries and Tasting Rooms: An Idaho Wine Lover's Guide

Discover the Wineries and Tasting Rooms of Boise’s Urban Wine Region

The wineries of downtown Boise and the surrounding communities are home to some of the most unique and exquisite local wines. The "Boise Urban" wine region is quickly becoming a hot spot for diverse cuisine, art, culture, and outdoor recreation, making it the perfect place to sip and sample with your friends. Some wine-lovers even hop on their bikes and hit the Boise River Greenbelt to tour and taste these local wineries.

As Boise continues to grow and thrive, so do the many locally-owned and operated restaurants and wineries. Today, locals and visitors can sip their way through downtown and the surrounding cities. The wineries and tasting rooms in Boise's urban core make up the Southwestern Urban wine region that now includes eight establishments. Many of the wineries throughout the urban wine district are supplied by vineyards set in rolling hills, just 35 miles outside of Boise.

Nestled between the Snake River and the Rocky Mountains, vineyards stretch for over 1,800 acres through the Snake River Valley American Viticultural Area. Officially incorporated in 2007, this vibrant wine region traces its roots to the 1800s when French and German winemakers made a name for themselves with Idaho-grown grapes.

Read on and see for yourself why Boise's Urban wine region is the perfect place to sip and sample Idaho wines with your friends, family, or that special someone.

Telaya Wine Co.

Photo courtesy of Telaya Wine Co

Telaya Wine Co is owned by husband and wife duo Earl and Carrie Sullivan and named after their two favorite locations in the world: the Tetons and La Playa. Their unique and beautiful wine tasting room sits on the Greenbelt near the river in Garden City, offering a dog-friendly patio and a welcoming vibe. They welcome families to bike down and use their bike lock and pack a meal or snacks to enjoy with a few glasses of wine.

Grapes: Syrah, Viognier, Chardonnay, Bordeaux, Semillon, Merlot, Malbec, and more

Plan Your Sip

Open daily Noon-6:00 pm (or later).
240 E 32nd St, Garden City, ID 83714 | (208) 557-9463

3100 Cellars

Wine Press Northwest named 3100 Cellars the “2018 Idaho Winery to Watch” for their innovation and recent awards. At the Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition and the Idaho Wine Competition, their 2014 Whitewater Methode Champenoise won silver medals—even though it was their inaugural dip into commercial winemaking. This small-batch winery is committed to quality (they even spent several weeks in Great Britain and Italy learning more about the sparkling wine craft). They make all of their wines from local grapes and focus on sparkling wines. Photo courtesy of 3100 Cellars.

Grapes: Sparkling Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay, Sparkling Rosé

Plan Your Sip

Call ahead to schedule a tasting or tour (208) 949-6613.
240 E 32nd St, Garden City, ID 83714

Cinder Wines

Photo courtesy of Cinder Wines

Melanie Krause, Cinder Wine maker, grew up in Idaho gardening, skiing, and cooking. She’s a food lover and an oenophile who began as a wine consultant, traveling to Idaho wineries and sharing her vast knowledge of viticulture and wine-making. Today, Cinder Wines is an award-winning winery with a popular tasting room in Garden City.

Grapes: Riesling, Rosé, Viognier, Chardonnay, Syrah, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec

Plan Your Sip

Open daily 11:00 am-5:00 pm.
107 E 44th St, Garden City, ID 83714 | (208) 906-0555

Split Rail Winery

Split Rail Winery owners Jed Glavin and Laura Hefner-Glavin say their love of wine and farming prompted them to decide, “What the hell, let’s make some wine.” Split Rail Winery began as a hobby in Jed’s garage. Still, the winemaker’s background in agriculture and urban planning set him up for success and sustainability. The winery sources their grapes from Sawtooth Vineyard, Skyline Vineyard, and Williamson Vineyards in the Snake River Valley AVA right outside of Boise. Photo courtesy of Split Rail Winery.

Grapes: Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Rosé Saignée

Plan Your Sip

Open Wednesday through Sunday, Noon-6:00 pm.
4338 W Chinden Blvd, Garden City, ID 83714 | (208) 490-0681

Coiled Wines

Coiled Wines Garden City production and tasting room. Photo courtesy of Coiled Wines

Coiled Wines founder and winemaker Leslie Preston named her winery in honor of Boise’s neighboring grape-growing appellation, the Snake River Valley AVA. Leslie’s vision began in 2008 with their first release of 380 cases of Syrah. Today, Coiled releases over 2,000 cases with several different varietals featured. The winery currently has two locations for you to enjoy: a Garden City Production and Tasting Room and a lovely Downtown Boise wine bar.

Grapes: Petit Verdot, Petite Syrah, Riesling, Syrah, Chablis, Rosé

Plan Your Sip

Tasting room open Friday through Sunday, 2:00-7:00 pm. Wine Bar open Tuesday to Saturday 4:00-9:00 pm.
Tasting Room/Production: 3408 W Chinden Blvd, Garden City, ID 83714 | Wine Bar: downtown at 813 W Bannock St, Boise, ID 83702 | (208) 820-8466

Potter Wines

Photo courtesy of Potter Wines

Potter Wines owners Von and Crystal Potter entered the wine industry to “breath a little fire” into it, and they’ve accomplished their mission and then some. Their signature jalapeno wine has become a staple in location kitchens, and their many other innovative bottles—like seasonal pumpkin wine and their watermelon jalapeno wine lemonade—are making waves. Check out their new Garden City winery and tasting room where you can enjoy their wines. Additionally, you can catch them at Boise's farmers markets or grab a bottle from the Glenwood Fred Meyers and Boise Co-Op stores.

Grapes: Syrah, Grenache, blends, Chipotle Jalapeno Wine and original Jalapeno Wine

Plan Your Sip

Open Thursday to Sunday (hours vary) and Monday to Wednesday by appointment.
5286 W Chinden Blvd, Garden City, ID 83714 | (208) 793-1773

Par Terre Winery

One of the newest members of Idaho’s growing craft beverage industry, Par Terre Winery is located in fast-growing Garden City. Owners Travis and Mallory fell in love with winemaking with their first attempt in their garage in northern California. Both owners came from a background in professional ballet and named their winery after a dance term meaning “on the ground.” Their now thriving small-batch winery began there, on the ground, and is now on its way to becoming a part of a flourishing local wine industry. Photo courtesy of Par Terre Winery.

Grapes: Merlot, Rosé, Syrah, Sémillon

Plan Your Sip

Open Thursday to Sunday Noon-5:00 pm, Happy Hour on Fridays 5:00-7:00 pm (May to August).
9165 W Chinden Blvd Ste 107, Garden City, ID 83714 | (208) 991-0402

Terra Nativa Vineyards

Terra Nativa Vineyards winemaker Richard Pavelek makes bright and bold reds from his own vineyard in the Boise foothills. Terra Nativa’s wines have won awards from the Idaho Wine Association and are proudly produced using sustainable vineyard management practices. Pavelek began his vineyard on the hunch that the Boise foothills' elevation and soil would produce superior grapes; today, you can taste the proof.

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petite Syrah

Plan Your Sip

By appointment only for small groups, contact at terranativavineyards@gmail.com.
136 E Idaho Ave #102, Meridian, ID 83642 | (208) 345-2421

Be in the Know: Idaho Wine Events

Throughout the year, there are a multitude of events happening, celebrating and showcasing Idaho wines and vineyards. Here are a few you can check out to sip, see, and experience local wines.

Savor Idaho

Idaho’s premier wine and food event is hosted by the Idaho Wine Commission and is entering its 13th year in 2021. You’ll have a chance to savor the best of Idaho’s wine and food, and you’ll be greeted with a commemorative wine glass to sip your way through the displays by local wineries. For more information, visit www.savoridaho.org/.

Sippin’ in the City

Every year, the Idaho Wine Commission gives you a chance to savor Idaho winemakers and culinary artists with their popular Sippin’ in the City event. Don’t wait to grab your tickets to 2020’s event: they have historically sold out early. For more information, visit www.wine.idaho.gov/learn.

June is Idaho Wine Month

Idaho Wine Month is the perfect chance to celebrate everything that local wine is about in our great state. The Idaho Wine Commission makes it easy to see the line-up of events hosted at wineries and vineyards throughout the area: visit their events page and select “Idaho Wine and Cider Month” to learn more.

Where do you sip Boise wine?

Originally published in May 2018, updated June 2020.

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