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Idaho Wine Commission
Idaho Wine History
It All Starts With The Grapes
Idaho is considered by some to be part of the new frontier of wine in the United States. But the first grapes planted in Idaho were actually grown in Lewiston in 1864. In other words, we’ve been at this for a while.
Read on to learn more about the time, effort, and expertise it took to create the award-winning wines we produce now.
![Man in Idaho vineyard black and white image](https://idahowines.org/content/uploads/2023/07/History-3.png)
“In Idaho we’re the oft-forgotten ‘other’ state in the Pacific Northwest,” says John H. Thorngate, Ph.D., formerly a professor at the University of Idaho, now Applications Chemist, Research & Development, Constellation Wines U.S. But it’s worth remembering that Idaho was home to the first wineries in the Pacific Northwest.
Before any grapes were ever planted in Washington or Oregon, they were planted here in Idaho by immigrants—Louis Desol and Robert Schleicher from France, and Jacob Schaefer from Germany. They were winning awards around the country before Prohibition took a debilitating toll on the industry and brought production to an absolute halt.
It wasn’t until 1970 that wine grapes were again planted in Idaho, this time along the Snake River Valley in the southern part of the state. This is where Idaho’s first American Viticultural Area (AVA) was established on April 9, 2007, and where most of the state’s wineries are located today. The Snake River Valley AVA covers more than 8,000 square miles and has a near-famous latitude for growing grapes, comparable to regions from around the world. Its immense size is a great advantage, allowing for tremendous room to grow. In other words, there’s room for everyone here.
The approval of the Snake River Valley AVA was a vast undertaking that gained attention around the world. And even though 2007 wasn’t so very long ago, our roots in winemaking grow much deeper. We’ve been at this for more than a century, making world-class, award-winning wine. So while some may see Idaho as the “oft-forgotten” state in the Pacific Northwest, we know better—great wine comes from Idaho!
![Idaho vineyard leafy vines black and white image](https://idahowines.org/content/uploads/2023/07/History-2.png)
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Idaho Wine: A Timeline
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Location, Location, Location
Producing incredible wine is our birthright, geographically speaking. Idaho’s warm days and cool nights, limited rainfall and geographical location make it an ideal place for growing grapes.
Vinifera, a.k.a. wine grapes, actually love our four-season climate. While cold winters might seem like a disadvantage, the low temps allow vines to go into hibernation mode—to rest and conserve important carbohydrates for the coming season—while ridding the plants of bugs and discouraging disease.
In summer, the cold nights and warm days balance the grape acids and sugars for the tastiest results. Thirty-to-forty-degree diurnal temperature variations are typical of this higher elevation—swings from 30° to 65° are common—and sugars are nurtured by the abundant sunshine during the long day. By contrast, the cool evenings help maintain the acids. These natural acids are important for the wine’s taste and longevity but can be difficult to maintain in, for example, a warmer climate. Adequate sugar, on the other hand, is often an obstacle in places where early rains absorbed by the grapes and vines in the final stages of ripening dilute the fruit’s natural acid levels. Here in Idaho, the balance is just right.
Excess rain is also responsible for a bunch of other agricultural woes, including mold and rot. That’s why the lack of rainfall here is considered yet another plus—here, wine growers can control the water through irrigation, according to calculated timing.
Harvesting Good Times
The Idaho wine industry has been a steadily growing community for the last 30 years with remarkable growth in the past decade—and we’re just getting started. In 2008, we had 38 wineries. Today, there are over 70 wineries and cideries and 1,300 acres of grapes planted. But there’s plenty of room to grow. With lots of recent recognition, a tight-knit community of passionate winemakers, and all eyes on what we’ll do next, this is an exciting (and delicious) time to be in the Idaho wine industry.
![man dumping grapes into a bin at harvest](https://idahowines.org/content/uploads/2023/07/harvesting-good-times.jpg)
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Get Full Access To All Our Growers Resources
Looking to establish or expand a vineyard in Idaho? We’ve got room to grow and resources to help you get there.