Pre-dating any modern record, humankind has been indulging in the sweet fermentation of fruit for as long as we can trace back. The earliest possible evidence hails as far back as 7000 B.C. in ancient China with their grape and rice-based fermented drinks.
Illustrations of wine and fermentation are plastered (quite literally) all over history—in art, poetry, sculpture, hieroglyphs, and more. It’s safe to say that we have been connoisseurs for thousands of years. But even still, with all that time to practice and perfect, there is still so much to learn about the art of winemaking.
As so many good stories begin, the unpredictability of fate led the Hodges to the world of wine. For husband-and-wife duo, Storm and Stephanie Hodge, the wine business was not something they had originally planned. Hodge Storm has a lofty background (more than 20 years) in the culinary industry and has always had a passion for food and wine but pitching the idea to buy a winery to his wife was originally taken as a joke.
“One of the employees in Storm’s dining units came up to him one day and suggested he buy property in Idaho for a winery,” Stephanie shared with us. “Storm is originally from Idaho Falls and this employee was from Idaho as well. It prompted Storm’s interest and he found Parma Ridge for sale. He emailed me the link and said, ‘Let’s buy a winery!’ My response was ‘Ha, Ha Ha!’”
And yet, in 2014, the couple bought the property, picked up their lives, and moved back to Idaho to begin the remodeling process of a winery that has been in operation for more than twenty years, starting with original owners, Dick and Shirley Dickstein, who after nearing retirement age, decided it was time to pass the torch to the Hodges.
The winery now offers a full bistro menu, event space, and a delicious selection of sensory-enticing wines, crafted right here in the Gem State. The couple has been showered with awards and recently won a double gold medal in the Idaho Wine Competition.
“Our favorite wines are bold, spicy reds and crisp white wines. We also recommend our Estate Viognier and Estate Syrah.”
If you’re interested in learning more about Storm, Stephanie, and Parma Ridge Winery, visit them online at ParmaRidge.wine.
“There is nothing like wine for conjuring up feelings of contentment and goodwill. It is less of a drink than an experience, an evocation, a spirit. It produces sensations that defy description.” – Thomas Conklin
