Did you know that a lot of wineries buy their grapes from growers rather than manage a vineyard of their own?
Sometimes when I share that it blows people’s minds because of the preconceived notion that vineyards and villas make wine in harmony on the same plot of land. There is a common belief that if you own a winery you must also have a vineyard, but that’s not always the case.
Another surprising fact: some wineries can be found smack dab in the middle of cities.
Purchasing grapes from outside vendors gives the world’s winemakers more flexibility in their production schedules, meaning more and more of them are choosing to locate their facilities in urban settings.
These are referred to as urban wineries and they are on the rise.
In Idaho we have a designated Urban District in the capitol city area, covering Boise, Eagle, Garden City and Meridian.
Here’s a comprehensive guide of all the wineries in the Urban District, including locations, contact information, tasting fees and other tidbits to help when planning your visit!
Urban Wineries in Boise
Ah, Boise. City of Trees and city of my heart, once a small town but now the state’s capitol and largest metropolis. I was born and raised here. I’ve moved away twice, only to return in under a year on both occasions. I just can’t quit you Boise!
Nor do I want to. I always say it would take something extraordinary to get me to leave now. I mean, I’ve worked hard to build a community of friends, family and now with the wine scene being what it is this is the place to be for me!
Currently there is one urban winery in the city proper, located in beautiful downtown Boise.
Located in the Linen District, this family-run winery specializes in gorgeous Pinot Noirs made from grapes sourced at their own winery in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA (American Viticulture Area), which is a sub-AVA of the Willamette Valley in Oregon.
Father and son winemakers Lonnie and Kyle Krawl, along with Lonnie’s wife Judy Lassa, love living in Boise and their building includes a tasting room and production facility. Multiple upscale touches give the tasting room a high end feel, most notably the barrel room, which is encased in glass and serves as an eye-catching centerpiece.
Mouvance Winery is open Friday thru Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 1414 West Grove Street, Boise, ID (208) 629-7781.
Urban Wineries in Eagle
35 years ago my grandparents moved to the small town of Eagle. It was near Boise, but not in the city. At present, Eagle has expanded enough to be considered a suburb of Boise, and because Boise has grown as well you really can’t tell where the city limits are. No matter where you are in Boise, though, it’s just a short drive into quaint, Old Towne Eagle, where you can find shopping, galleries, restaurants and wine tasting!
The Cellar 616 production facility is located in Eagle, but sadly is not open to the public. Wines are currently being made by winemaker Ken Rufe with grapes from the Snake River Valley AVA, sourcing from vineyards such as King Hill in Hagerman, Idaho.
Cellar 616 appears at local events in Eagle, Idaho. Find weekly wine tastings at Finer Frames 164 E. State St., Eagle, Idaho 83616 in conjunction with the Eagle Saturday Market from May to September.
Urban Wineries in Garden City
Garden City has gotten hip in the last couple of years.
This city is located almost entirely in the middle of Boise, just a stone’s throw from downtown. It was settled long ago by Chinese immigrants who used the area primarily for gardening, which prompted the name of the city as well as its main street (Chinden Boulevard).
Gambling establishments were introduced along the Boulevard in the mid-1900s, and brought with them all manner of seedy businesses. These locales proliferated as the farming dwindled, leaving Garden City with a rather dodgy reputation.
That reputation has been changing for years, and it’s fair to say that today Garden City has become an urban mecca for food trucks, breweries, cideries and wineries.
Five wineries to be exact!
In 2008 winemaker Melanie Krause and her husband Joe Schnerr came upon an old fruit and veggie packing warehouse that was a perfect fit for a winery. They saw the potential and seized the day! For eight years they shared the space with other wineries, but as they grew their production took up more and more space. In early 2016 they took over the building and now have made it their own.
The tasting room has an edgy warehouse feel, industrial aspects intermingling with contemporary furniture, wine barrels and a beautiful bar area. Here is where you can taste Cinder’s amazing wines as well as second label Laissez Faire wines, both made with grapes sourced from Idaho and Washington.
As a compliment to the tasting room, the winery also supports the arts by providing gallery space above the bar and bringing in live music on occasion. They’re also kid friendly, dog friendly, private event friendly and their staff is… you guessed it… very friendly.
Cinder Winery is open daily 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 107 East 44th Street, Garden City, Idaho (208) 376-4023. $5.00 tasting fee, waived with purchase.
Winemaker Leslie Preston loves Riesling and she wants you to taste why. After you sip the artfully crafted wines, such as the yearly Dry Riesling vintage or the sparkling wine named “Rizza” (a nod at the Australian nickname for Riesling), you will probably understand her passion. Sourcing from the Snake River Valley, Coiled also makes fortified wines and other traditional varietals.
This boutique winery has a small production of about 2,000 cases per year. These sought-after wines often sell out, so don’t wait to taste!
Coiled Wines is open Thurs – Sun 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 3408 W. Chinden Blvd, Garden City, ID (208) 820-8466. $5.00 tasting fee, waived with purchase.
Situated right on the Boulevard in arguably the most urban of urban spaces, Split Rail Winery is a brightly colored warehouse whose neighbors include a car dealer, a brewery and a sandwich shop.
As the funky feel suggests, winemaker Jed Glavin isn’t afraid to buck tradition. They do things a little differently at Split Rail Winery – this is evident from the moment you pull into the winery parking lot and see a sign promoting growlers and cans as acceptable wine containers.
You may be thinking, okay, bottles we get, but wine in a growler or a can? You bet! Second label Strange Folk Wines come in a specially sealed can to prevent aluminum faults. They’re also kegged. Meaning you can get a refillable growler at the winery and keep coming back for more!
Split Rail Winery is open Wednesday thru Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 4338 Chinden Boulevard, Garden City, ID (208) 490-0681.
In early 2016 Telaya opened its new winery on the edge of the Boise Greenbelt, a miles-long trail that hugs the banks of the Boise River. The tasting room is thoughtfully designed, expanding onto a patio replete with a large fireplace and a lovely view of the river. Upstairs is a spacious area that accommodates private parties. Overall, it’s a stunning space with that friends-and-family feel that is so important to the owners Earl and Carrie Sullivan. You’ll feel right at home.
Earl, who is also Telaya’s head winemaker, sources his grapes from Idaho and Washington, and his careful selections are apparent in the elegant wines he creates.
Telaya Wine Co. is open daily 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 240 East 32nd Street, Garden City, ID (208) 557-9463. $5.00 tasting fee, waived with purchase.
Winemaker Von Potter had always enjoyed making traditional wines such as Riesling and Syrah, but he had a wild idea a few years back when he decided to attempt Jalapeno Wine. Surprising many, including himself, the wine caught on for both drinking and cooking, and thus an unexpected brand was born.
Potter Wines now produces both traditional wine and Jalapeno Wine, which has led to a tight fit in the winery itself –currently there’s not enough space for a dedicated tasting room. However, from April through December you can find a mobile “tasting room” downtown at the Boise Farmer’s Market, on the corner of 10th St. and Grove St. (note: in Nov/Dec this market moves indoors to 8th and Fulton); and from May through October at the Capitol City Farmer’s Market on 8th Street, also downtown.
Urban Wineries in Meridian
Terra Nativa wines are made in Meridian, Idaho, which is Boise’s neighboring city. Sourcing grapes from his own vineyards in the Boise Foothills, winemaker Richard Pavelek produces unique red wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petite Syrah.
The tasting room is by appointment only for parties of six or more and the vineyard is not generally open to the public.
Terra Nativa Winery is open by appointment only. Contact: terranativavineyards@gmail.com. 136 E. Idaho Ave., Ste. 102, Meridian, ID.
I hope enjoyed your guided tour through the Urban Wine District of Boise and its surrounding areas. Are you feeling a winery crawl on the horizon? May you feel inspired to visit urban wineries!
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