Head all the way west on the Greenbelt to where the City of Boise’s jurisdiction ends, and you will see a sign that reads: “Welcome to Garden City, Nestled by the River.” Walk one-third of a mile from there, and you will make another discovery: a cluster of about a dozen wineries and breweries that are, themselves, in a four-block area. It’s yet another sign of growth in Boise and its environs: A stretch of the Greenbelt that previously featured only a few restaurants, a couple of hotels, and one or two wineries is now a notable destination for recreation in the area. Along with the increased popularity of the Boise River’s two surf-able waves—among participants and spectators alike—and e-scooters and e-bikes making it even easier to enjoy the Greenbelt, the stretch’s facelift is irrefutable.
Among the younger set and retirees—and, frankly, everyone else in the middle of those two groups—the wineries and breweries are the biggest draw to the red-hot spot. Coworkers congregate there for Friday happy hours. Packs of friends hop from one winery or brewery to the next on the weekends. Tourists congregate to sip away an hour or two. But what, exactly, makes this particular half-mile stretch of the Greenbelt and its side streets so appealing to the owners of wineries and breweries? LifeStyle touched base with owners, operators, managers, and/or board members of the smattering of wineries and breweries—and received a different, personalized response from each one.
—
"We have been in Garden City for almost 12 years now and we love it! To us, it feels like an extension of Boise with a little more of that gritty/industrial feel that correlates beautifully with the craft beverage industry. What we do is basically manufacturing, so we’re here amongst our peers. At our new location, we love the proximity to the Greenbelt, the Boise river, the Riverside Hotel, and we love being close to other producers. We feel that being close to other craft Beverage producers only enhances the sense of community down here." -Jed Glavin, owner of Split Rail Winery
“When our new location on 32nd & Clay came up for lease in 2020 we jumped at the chance to move next to a beautiful section of the Greenbelt, plus Riverside Hotel, Telaya Winery and Split Rail Winery. We are excited for the growth down on our end of Garden City as we believe it will continue to become a destination for beer and wine lovers, as well as an easily accessible spot for local people looking to ride or walk.” -Bre Hovley, Co-Owner and Founder of Barbarian Brewing
“The Boise River Greenbelt area near Quinn’s Pond is home to many urban wineries, cideries, and breweries because the location provides an ideal spot for both outdoor activities and personal connections. Locals and visitors alike can enjoy a drink after a riverside walk or bike ride, or grab a bite to eat after paddleboarding, kayaking, or watching the river surfers.” -Carrie Westergard, Executive Director of Visit Boise
"As one of the pioneers of the wine industry in Garden City and the pioneer for the Greenbelt / Quinn’s pond, we have seen tremendous growth and opportunity. It truly is a rising tide floating all boats along the Boise River in Garden City." -Earl Sullivan, Co-Owner and Head Winemaker of Telaya Wine Co., and Commissioner for the Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission
"The Idaho wine industry is growing at an impressive rate. We wanted to take part in that growth, and we loved the concept of an urban winery. Garden City's Urban Wine Trail possesses a really cool vibe and growth opportunity. I’ve always contended that there aren't competitors in the wine industry, but ‘co-opetition’ where the more the merrier. Every new winery elevates the entire industry." -Elizabeth Baggerly, Founding Partner of Proletariat
“We love being in Garden City and near where the action is happening! It's just a super convenient area with traffic flows in and out of town that give people a lot of fun options to bar and restaurant hop to and from. We are lucky to be part of the community and cannot wait to see further growth in the area!” -Cary Prewitt, Founder of Western Collective Beer
"Garden City has always been a great place for craft beverage production because, as producers, we need industrial space. The ongoing development along the Boise River and the growth of the Boise area, make Garden City very accessible and desirable for our customers. It is a win-win." -Leslie Preston, Owner and Winemaker of Coiled Wines