Idaho Winery Tours

Jerry and Jackie from N. Dakota.

Getting to Know Idaho’s Wine Community

It’s been a busy week, and my posting turn-around time is a little off. But I’m here now and ready to tell you about last weekend’s guests and give you a taste of what they experienced. We had a great couple on Saturday from Pocatello, Idaho, and another wonderful couple on Sunday from North Dakota. Like I’ve said before in this space, I really enjoy what I call, “the small tour.” The actual tour is the same size, only the number of winery tourists is smaller. When I’ve got two, I can get to know them – talk about family, work, great books, jobs, movies and so on. I just love making new friends and introducing them to my friends out on the Idaho wine trail.

Jennifer and Chuck from Pocatello, ID.

The beauty of it is that I get to introduce new people to the people who are actually in the wine industry trenches. Meeting Marin Fujishin, Kris and Sheri at the Orchard house, Ron and Mary Bitner, Tammy Stowe and her Dad, or Roger Williamson is one of the greatest things about going on a winery tour. When you come on a tour you start a relationship with area. You can sit back and taste approximately 30 different wines from five winemakers, and if you wish, you can become part  of Idaho Wine family. It was ton of fun to watch and listen to this past weekend’s guests ask questions and get to know the people who make such a wonderful product, in such an unexpected place.

This is still just the beginning. With nine different tasting rooms and wineries on the Sunny Slope and more on the way the combinations of people, wines and routes are expanding every year. And each stop has its own personality – just like individual people. Whether your on the deck at Bitner’s peering across the valley, looking over the fruited plain at Sawtooth, or enjoying the European charm of Ste. Chapelle, you’ll definitely get the sense that all of them are serious about their love for this ages old tradition of making wine.

I am very thankful for the people that came to visit and join out little community. Jennifer and Chuck. I hope your journey back across the state was a safe one and the ankle heals perfectly. Jackie and Jerry, I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay and get all that wine finished off before the kids come home. It was my pelasure to have you and hope you’ll return someday soon to try out some different places and meet more of the people who make it happen.

Cheers and Good Cheer, George

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A ruthless bunch of wine lovers. Really, not one of them is named Ruth.

SUV’s with tinted windows pulled up and parked behind the bushes. 12 ladies, lead by Marcia, got out and snuck up on Susie’s front door. No battering rams or flash grenades were required. We didn’t even have to use the cuffs. Susie came quietly with a big smile on her face and a tear or two of happiness. After all it was her birthday, but what a surprise. For two months Marcia, Susie’s sister planned. That’s a long time to keep  a secret, especially with so many “in the know.”

Martin opens his doors. The Man behind the Wine. Everyone enjoyed meeting you.

This latest tour was a blast! It was really nice for so many to become a part of the Idaho Winery Tours community. We started at Martin Fujishin’s new tasting room and fruit stand, just up the Sunny Slope Road from the Orchard House. Martin is a great wine maker and answered a bunch of questions from our newfound friends. I always love it when the winemaker is on site. That’s what makes a great tour. Being able to actually talk to the folks who make it all happen. He took them through his offering and a few bottles came along for the ride. Their canned peaches are phenomenal too!

Next, was lunch at the Orchard House, a mainstay of the tour. Their crispy onion rings are the best on the planet. They shared a couple of bottles of Gina Davis’ wine with lunch. Then Susie got to wear the funny b-day hat. I’ve never heard a better version of Happy Birthday in my life. All the other patrons had big smiles as the 12 ladies sang. Everyone’s spirits were lifted.

Then it was off to Bitner where they sampled Ron’s offering and more bottles of various flavors came along for the ride. Ron wasn’t around unfortunately, but they enjoyed the view, the wine, and the wine dog book.

Lacy takes home the good stuff!

Next was Koenig’s Winery and Distillery. We got lucky, because we mostly had the place to ourselves. Wendy and Curtis were on hand to serve up the goodness. They’re a lot of fun. It was Curtis’ last day at the tasting room. He said he might be back sometime this fall. Wendy is a real pistol and both are just fun to hang out with, always ready to strike up a conversation and crack jokes.

Meeting Roger Willamson at Williamson's Tasting Room.

I think the ladies got a big kick out of Roger Williamson. He’s a real charmer. Again it’s great to meet the folks who make it happen. What’s great about a visit to Williamson’s Orchards and Vineyard is that you can’t get some of his wines any other place – another perk of going on the tour.  He had them in the palm of his hand as he went down the line from theri amazing dry reisling to the homestead, a blend of cab and syrah, to their fantastic ice wine. It was good to his daughter Emily working hard in the warehouse. Stacey was there, but we didn’t get to talk much. They were pretty busy.

A Birthday Glass form Indian Creek! Thanks Tammy!

Then it was off to Indian Creek. We had to wait less then a minute to get to the tasting room as a wedding ceremony was finishing up. We heard the roar of the crowd as the unknown groom kissed the unknown bride. We went in the secret way, known only to special friends of the Stowe family to meet Tammy at the Tasting Bar. They got a coule of cheese plates and some chocolates to go with the a line of wines eight or nine wines long. It was great to hear that an article in Zone 4 Magazine had inspired some travelers to deviate from their rout to make a special stop at Indian Creek due to an artilce written by a local writer Janna Good, who happens to be one of my partners in crime.

About a half an hour of non-stop laughter. Funny ladies!

You know you’ve put on a good show as a winery tour guide when the tour heads for home and the SUV is filled with raucus laughter and people’s sides begin to ache. We parted friends for life and are so happy to share such a wonderful community with such a great bunch of ladies. Happy Birthday Susie! You’ve got a great sister and wonderful friends. I count myself lucky to have been a part of your celebration. I’m glad you filled up your wine rack!

Cheers and Good Cheer!

George

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