I live in Utah, and I thought I had the West pretty well covered. I knew where to ski, where to hike, and where to find a great meal. What I did not have on my radar was Idaho wine country.
That changed when a colleague mentioned Sunnyslope. A quick search led me to Mona Warchol, executive director of the Sunnyslope Wine Trail, who connected me with April Neale, the trail's communications lead and a familiar face in Idaho media. who arranged a tour of four of the trail's 21 wineries.
The logistics are simpler than you'd expect. Angie Miles of Sunshine Wine Tours picked us up, mapped a custom itinerary through the Snake River Valley AVA just 30 miles from Boise, and arrived with a charcuterie spread already waiting. If you're coming from out of town, this is the way to do it.
What surprised me first was the geography. The Snake River Valley AVA sits at roughly 2,800 feet, at a latitude that wine people will tell you compares favorably to some of France's most celebrated regions. Long hot days, cool nights, volcanic soil that drains fast and forces the vines to work for it. Seventy percent of the wineries here are owned by women. None of that was in the brochure I never picked up, because I had never thought to look.
The People Are Half the Reason to Go
Ste. Chapelle Winery has been here since 1975, the oldest in Idaho and still the anchor of everything that came after it. It was the right place to start. Jason Senior, general manager and president of the Sunnyslope Wine Trail Board, poured our first glass and offered some context. The Idaho Wine Commission has declared 2026 the Year of Riesling, and at Ste. Chapelle, that feels less like a marketing decision and more like a homecoming.
"This is the original site; we grow all Riesling here," Jason said. "One cool thing about Idaho, it's still in its infant stage; it is still developing."
Famici Wine Company started in a garage in 2016. C.J. and Janet Northrup built it from scratch, and you can feel that in the place — the kind of boutique winery where someone is genuinely glad you showed up. They produce seven varietals, including the only estate-grown Vermentino in the Pacific Northwest, which took silver in the 2026 Idaho Wine Competition. That alone is worth the stop.
"This is more than a winery; it's a place where people really want to be," Janet said. "Helping people feel good about being here and understanding more about wine, that is what matters to my heart."
Kerry Hill Winery belongs to Mindy Mayer, who became the first woman McDonald's franchise owner in Oregon in 1990, eventually owning 14 restaurants throughout the Northwest. In 2007, Mindy survived a floatplane crash in Alaska that took the lives of several family members, a loss that set her on a path toward healing and, eventually, Idaho. Seeking healing and a fresh start, she was drawn to Idaho by her love of Border Collies and sheepdog competitions, which led her to breed Kerry Hill sheep and eventually restore a neglected 35-year-old vineyard. Kerry Hill Winery opened in 2019 and earned certifications including LIVE, Salmon-Safe, and Wildlife Habitat.
"I always tell my customers, you don't have to be a wine expert, just enjoy it," Mindy said.
Parma Ridge Winery and Bistro sits on a ridge above rows of grapevines, the kind of view that makes you want to stay longer than you planned. Storm Hodge is both winemaker and executive chef; his wife Stephanie's original artwork covers the wine labels and fills the tasting room walls. Their Cabernet Franc took double gold in the Idaho Wine Competition and the Cabernet Sauvignon gold at Cascadia. When Storm survived two strokes five years ago, the Sunnyslope community showed up for them.
"The support from the community really did surprise me most," Stephanie said. "This is a very unique place to be."
Four wineries, one afternoon, and more reasons to return than we had time for. The trail doesn't end when the tasting does.
Plan Your Sunnyslope Wine Country Visit
Where to eat, sleep, and raise a glass.
The Lively in Boise
After a day on the trail, The Lively is exactly the kind of place you want to land. The room is moody and intimate, the kind of fine dining that doesn't take itself too seriously. Executive chef Edward Higgins trained under Tom Colicchio before traveling to Japan, where he was ordained as a Buddhist priest. The menu changes with the seasons and reflects it. Locally sourced, carefully considered, and worth every minute of the reservation you should absolutely make in advance.
Hotel Renegade in Boise
Hotel Renegade, a AAA Four Diamond boutique hotel that opened in May 2024, pairs old-west character with refined comfort. Freestanding copper tubs, thoughtfully designed rooms, and a rooftop bar with sweeping skyline views make the end of a long wine day feel like a proper reward.
Sunnyslope Wine Festival
The 2026 Sunnyslope Wine Festival takes place Sunday, September 6, from noon to 5 PM on the festival lawn at Ste. Chapelle Winery in Caldwell. More than 20 wineries will be pouring, with live music, food trucks, and a pop-up artisan marketplace rounding out the afternoon. Standard tasting tickets include a commemorative wine glass; designated driver tickets are available at a reduced rate. This is the best single afternoon to experience everything the trail has to offer in one place.
The Sunnyslope Wine Trail and September festival details live at sunnyslopewinetrail.com