SUNNYSLOPE WINE TRAIL
Sunnyslope Trail & Wine Region
WELCOME TO
SUNNYSLOPE WINE TRAIL
Explore The Heart Of Idaho Wine Country
The Sunnyslope Wine Trial is a non-profit organization made up of 17 wineries, all located in the heart of Idaho’s grape growing region.
The wineries share more than many of the same terroir properties, they share the pioneering spirit of the west, a passion for hospitality, and the desire to share the Sunnyslope with wine enthusiasts worldwide.
WINE LOVERS TAKE NOTE,
The Sunnyslope Wine Trail in Caldwell, Idaho is the next must-sip wine destination you need to visit.
Nestled in the scenic Snake River Valley AVA, the Sunnyslope Wine Trail boasts 17 wineries and vineyards, award-winning wines, and intimate tasting and dining experiences, all framed by panoramic views. Come for the wine… stay for so much more!
From dining along the Snake River to toasting in the middle of a vineyard, the variety of wines and wineries provide a unique and smooth finish for wine lovers. Our Pacific Northwest climate is mild and perfect for year-round adventures, so come sip with us, anytime!
OUR MEMBERS
FRIENDS OF THE
SUNNYSLOPE WINE TRAIL
For Member or Associate Membership Information, Contact Us
We invite you to explore our vineyards and barrel cellars and learn more about each of our unique individual styles, varietals, and winemaking techniques.
Our tasting rooms are open year-round for you to taste the bounty of our harvest with one of our friendly, knowledgeable hosts. We love turning visitors into friends, so make sure to plan for an extended stay to savor our wines and get a taste of country living.
MEMBERS
COME VISIT US
Located in Caldwell, just 30 minutes from the Boise Airport…
You can enjoy incredible accommodations without sacrificing the scenery and the area’s rich agriculture heritage. The Sunnyslope Wine Trail winds through vineyards, orchards and acres of some of the most scenic farmland in the Northwest. Use the interactive map below, download our printable map, or pick up a map from our Welcome Center, to guide you to your destination.
IDAHO’S WINE COUNTRY:
Exploring the Booming Industry
(Watch This Video & Learn More)
View Video
The number of wineries in Idaho has increased by 75% in the last decade. The wine industry contributes an estimated $210 million to the state’s economy.
Celebrate all four seasons on the Sunnyslope Wine Trail with good wine, good food, and good friends.
There are seven trail-wide events each year, giving you the opportunity to explore the rows of grapes at every stage of the growing process, tour barrel cellars and get a taste of vintages to come, or even meet the winemaker! Designated drivers are highly encouraged if you plan to visit more than one winery, please do not drink and drive.
However, Idaho was the first state to plant grapes in this region in 1865 and has been a burgeoning wine region since prohibition ended (thank goodness!).
The Sunnyslope Wine Trail is located within the Snake River Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) and has the highest concentration of wineries and vineyards in Idaho. Why? The Sunnyslope is an ideal place for growing Vitis vinifera, wine grapes, because of its growing environment, terroir. The unique Sunnyslope region can be tasted in every glass of wine produced in our region.
The Sunnyslope landscape is composed of dry, rolling hills that lead to the Owyhee Mountains and is best described as a ‘high desert’ climate. The region experiences less than ten inches of precipitation between November and March which is great for preventing mold and disease of the vines, but not so great for getting them the water they need to produce grapes.
Luckily, early settlers of the area tapped into the Snake River and created reservoirs to save the melt off from the mountains for irrigation. This situation is actually advantageous for growing grapes as it gives farmers an enormous degree of control over how much water the plants receive, helping craft the sweetness of the wine before the fruit is even harvested.
The four-season climate also contributes to the taste of the wine.
Cold winters give the vines a period of time to rest and rejuvenate while eliminating bugs and diseases. Warm summer days under the sun creates fruit high in sugar, while the cool desert nights contribute to maintaining moderate acidity levels needed for taste and longevity. These natural acids are hard to naturally produce in warmer climates such as California.
Soil plays a large role in the wine’s flavor, too.
The soil in the Sunnyslope is as unique as your thumb print. And it’s a story that goes back millions of years … starting with a massive glacier that sat over southern Idaho. Then add in geothermal activity (aka volcanoes) that melted the glacier into an ancient lake, Lake Idaho. Eventually the lake dried out leaving nutrients deposits in the sediment of the Snake River Valley, where the Sunnyslope Wine Trail is located. These ancient nutrients in the soil have been preserved over the years because of the valley’s lack of rain and can contribute a mineral or petrol taste to Sunnyslope wines.
Learn More
Wine is a puzzle that starts with the soil and climate; the terroir.
Farmers access the elements and decide which wine grape varietals, Vitis vinifera, to grow. Then the farmer works to control each element to produce the perfect wine before ever picking the grape from the vine. This process takes painstaking passion, and in Idaho, Sunnyslope growers have mastered taking grapes from the vine and crafting award-winning wines.
CULTIVATE. EDUCATE. CELEBRATE.
Enjoy the fruits of our labor and passion at one of our Sunnyslope Wine Trail events. From seasonal celebrations to wine-makers dinners, our events focus on educating and celebrating the Sunnyslope’s country way of living.
NEWS / MEDIA
Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA
Do We Need A
5,000 Seat Amphitheater?!
(Please notice not a child, not a cow, not a tractor, not a farm, not a neighbor adjacent to the concert venue.)
PROPOSED
Your Opinion Matters & We’d Like To Hear It!
5,000 concert amphitheater venue (CU2022-0034) Appeal Hearing in front of the Board of Canyon County Commissioners
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 @ 9:00 am
(NOTICE: Meeting has been postponed we will keep you informed.)
Canyon County Commissioners Board Meeting Room
OR
Email Opposed letters to [email protected] by Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 to be included in the Commissioners staff report.
(Keep sending emails until we know more.)
WE NEED YOUR VOICE
5,000 concert amphitheater venue (CU2022-0034)
• Subject Property is located just SE of 13748 Sunny Slope Rd, Caldwell, Idaho (HWY 55 & Lake Lowell Rd)
• Click here to view the Planning and Zoning Commission Staff Report, Nov. 22, 2022
5,000-SEAT AMPHITHEATER IN CALDWELL?
NOT SO FAST, COUNTY PLANNING & ZONING SAYS!
• Click here to review the article in the Idaho Press written by Erin Banks Rusby, Dec. 9, 2022
The Mountain Winery, owners of the proposed Sunnyslope Amphitheater
• Click here to view The Mountain Winery website.
White River Amphitheater
BITNER VINEYARDS WINE CLUB MEMBER PLANS TO SPEAK AT THE APPEAL HEARING
• Bitner Vineyards Wine Club Member quoted to Amy Bitner referring to the White River Amphitheater, “The rural town I am from approved an amphitheater in our area, and the traffic is an absolute nightmare it can take up to two hours to try and leave the venue.”
• White River Amphitheater
One of the first items stated in the White River Amphitheater website:
Traffic can be heavy before and after events so make sure to allow sufficient time to arrive at the venue.
2,500 parking spots proposed for the 5,000-seat amphitheater.
DID YOU KNOW CANYON COUNTY IS THE #1 U.S. PRODUCER OF:
-Corn Seed, Onion Seed, Dry Bean Seed, & Cover Crop Seed
And Proudly, Canyon County is one of five major global seed production regions with a total economic value of at least $300 Million. Many global seed companies are present in Canyon County due to the ability to produce seed in a desert. The unprecedented loss of farmland in the County is causing the seed industry to question the future of seed production in the County. If the seed industry was forced to leave the County it would result in a huge economic impact and a large-scale hit to our food supply chain.
The 5,000-seat Amphitheater Developer is trying to receive support from wineries and other local businesses in the area (and sadly they are getting support).
But what about the business, support, and growth of the farmers and ranchers in Canyon County and all over Idaho?
The unprecedented growth in the County has caused land use incompatibility issues between existing farming operations and new development.
It’s not easy to farm and drive a tractor down the road with 1,500+ cars behind you on their way to a concert.
Please help us support our farmers and ranchers in the Sunnyslope Valley and oppose the 5,000-seat Amphitheater.
WE NEED YOUR VOICE
We need your voice Treasure Valley –
-5,000 seat amphitheater
-2,500 parking lot spaces
-70+concerts in 6 months
-estimated an additional 1,316+ cars on HWY 55 between 4-5 pm and 2,000+ cars leaving at 11 pm (traffic is likely to be higher), not to mention the massive, additional noise & light pollution that will have a devastating impact on the Sunnyslope Valley.
“As a community, we need to be mindful and respectful of the families, ranchers, livestock, farmers, tractor drivers, growers, and neighbors who have been a part of this valley. The reality is our infrastructure of country roads, HWY 55, Farmway Road, Marsing Volunteer Fire Department, police, ambulance, and workforce cannot handle or maintain such a massive venue.
Our land is incredible, unique, viable farmland, and if we continue to lose it so will the opportunity to grow more vineyards, hops, orchards, and the agricultural seed industry. The long-term devastation of the loss of ranching/agriculture land and the food industry far out way any concert venue. Please help us save the Legacy of the Sunnyslope Valley.”
– Amy Bitner
HELP PROTECT
THIS HISTORIC WINE GROWING
REGION OF IDAHO
Disclaimer: While it may be the opinion of ValPons and many others that a 5,000 seat Amphitheater isn’t in the best interest of the community nor the Sunnyslope wine region we are NOT in any way claiming that ALL of the various wineries which are part of the Sunnyslope Wine Trail, Inc. organization are in agreement over this issue. In fact as you can clearly see from the email below we received it is a very controversial matter and the members are obviously divided in opposition and or are neutral to the proposed Amphitheater economic encroachment.
MORE RESOURCES
• Map
• Tours
• Dining
• Lodging
• Itineraries
• Entertainment
• Welcome Center
Contact Us
SUNNYSLOPE WINE TRAIL
The Sunnyslope Welcome Center is located
inside the Destination Caldwell office.
106 S. Kimball Avenue
Caldwell, Idaho 83605
Get Directions
Ph: 208-649-5010
Email: [email protected]
HOURS
Monday – Friday: 9am to 5pm
Related Business Information
Sunnyslope Wineries
106 S Kimball Ave, Caldwell, ID 83605, USA
Website: https://sunnyslopewinetrail.com
View the related business: Sunnyslope Wineries
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