When Earl and Carrie Sullivan embarked on their journey to create Telaya Wine Co., they weren’t just building a business—they were crafting a home. Telaya, named after their favorite places, the Tetons and la playa (Spanish for “beach”), embodies their belief that home is where the heart is.
Telaya’s seeds were planted on the beaches of Cabo San Lucas, where the Sullivans dreamed of a future blending their talents and passions. Earl, a former pharmaceutical COO, and Carrie, a veterinarian, sought a path that aligned with their love of family and science—allowing them to be present for their two boys. In 2008, they launched Telaya with 50 cases of wine sourced from Washington’s Columbia Valley. By 2012, they began incorporating Idaho fruit, and in 2016, Telaya found its permanent home along the Boise River Greenbelt.
Today, Telaya thrives as a family-centric winery; a shared space where ‘home’ is felt in every corner and a place people are drawn to.
For the Sullivans, Telaya is much more than a business; it’s a home. It’s a place where their boys grew up doing homework, discovering and playing in the winery’s back rooms. Earl and Carrie poured their time and hearts into providing a space where guests feel the warmth of family and community. They also invested time and attention working alongside their team to create something meaningful.
This spirit of collaboration fills every corner, making it much more than just a workplace. “Family creates a magnetic force,” Earl reflects, “and it’s that energy we bring into our wines and our community.”
At Telaya, the core values of family, compassion, accountability, and integrity are woven into every aspect of their operations. These guide decisions, from hiring staff to creating an employee incentive program that prioritizes teamwork over individual achievements.
“Telaya is more than wine,” says Carrie. “It’s about creating experiences that bring people together. Wine is a journey, but it’s also a meeting place—a way to feel at home no matter where you are.” For the Sullivans, wine is a reflection of their journey—beginning in the Tetons and la playa and found its heart at home in Boise, Idaho.
I‘ve worked with Earl and known him for two decades. I’ve seen their vision unfold and witnessed how Earl and Carrie poured themselves into perfecting their wine, creating their brand of hospitality, and investing in their people. They work hard and have found their place.
Whether sipping a glass of their flagship blend, Turas (Irish for “journey”), or enjoying the view from Telaya’s riverfront patio, visitors are reminded that home is not just a physical space but a feeling of belonging and warmth.
Earl and Carrie’s journey exemplifies the importance of family and a commitment to creating something greater than oneself to make a place a home. These are the stories we love to share on SpokenWines.com.
Telaya Quick Facts
- Founded in 2008 by Earl and Carrie Sullivan.
- First Idaho fruit sourced in 2012.
- Tasting room located along the Boise River Greenbelt.
- Signature wine: Turas, an Irish-inspired red blend.
- Core values: Family, integrity, compassion, accountability, perseverance.