Private Idaho Winery Tours

09/12/2021

This is a bittersweet post to make, and I wasn’t really quite sure how I was going to announce this so I thought it was best to just start with the SWEET…

I have accepted a position with the Idaho Department of Agriculture, program, acting in the capacity of Marketing and Commerce Analyst. In this role, I will be a marketing conduit for local farmers, ranchers, crafters and other artisans to get their message out to consumers and citizens.

I look forward to working with many of you with whom I have already developed relationships, and I look forward to building new connections throughout the State of Idaho going forward!

The BITTER part is that accepting this position means I will have to step back from operating my winery tour business, as it creates a conflict of interest for the work I am very excited to do. I feel very much like the business was just starting to take off, and yet I am tucking her away and putting her to sleep. Trust me, this was not an easy decision to make, but what did help is knowing the relationships I have made on this journey as a local winery tour operator are genuine, and they will only continue to grow stronger as I step into my new role.

I’ll add that it is SWEET because I feel a strong connection to this land, my home state, and know that the work I have been doing to market my winery tour business has led to this opportunity, which will help me achieve some long term personal goals.

Because I’m kind of a nerd when it comes to living local, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity -- and my new role means I can share my love and joy for all things Idaho--from wine and produce to winery tours and vineyard education, to cheesemaking, beekeeping, farmer’s markets, agventures, etc etc etc...!

I will no longer be posting to this account, but I will leave it up as a testament to the fun and sheer joy my guests of Private Idaho Winery Tours has given me this year!

THANK YOU to EVERYONE -- my guests, my associates, my colleagues, the winemakers, the tasting room staff, my friends and family for a truly great run!

CHEERS!

08/12/2021

The sweet caramelized onions of this rustic onion tart would pair beautifully with a rosé or a buttery chardonnay, but don't overlook a juicy Pinot Noir.

I enjoyed Into the Mystic Oregon Pinot Noir (2018) with this meal. OMG so good. Sign up for the newsletter to get the recipe! (Link in bio)

Cheers!

06/12/2021

Nice to see that three Idaho Wineries made this list...Cinder, Telaya and Sawtooth. Who's ready to book a tasting tour?

https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/a-marvelous-malbec-from-the-royal-slope-ava-leads-our-list-of-the-top-20-northwest-wines-of-2021/?utm_content=190019764&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&hss_channel=fbp-132271133503946

Our list of the Top 20 Northwest wines of 2021 is led by a marvelous malbec from the Royal Slope of Washington’s Columbia Basin. Lawrence Vineyards' malbec is a marvelous expression of the red grape that's native to the Bordeaux...

03/12/2021

Not only are we the top-rated TripAdvisor tour company in the area, but we are now -- EAR WORMS!

Welcome to the Private Idaho Winery Tours Podcast!
https://anchor.fm/piwinerytours

02/12/2021

Revisting the “What’s on my nightstand?” trend… i read cookbooks like some people read novels. lol 📚😍🍷

Actually, i’ve had The “Wine Lovers Cookbook” for over a decade and it still keeps on giving! And with holiday season 🎄🎅🏽now in full force, i’m certain it will pull through for me again! 🧀🍷🍇
Want to play along? Post a pic of the books on your bedside table, then tag three people and ask, “what’s on your nightstand?”

28/11/2021

Barrel tasting weekend photo dump! Once again, another spectacular day capped off with a stunning Idaho sunset!
HUGE thanks to the Alger’s for their grace and to the folks at Kindred for feeding us the best pizza in the entire Treasure Valley!

27/11/2021

Made an impromptu stop at the new during today’s wine tasting tour… very impressed! Wine and whiskey flights FTW!

26/11/2021

Did y’all wake up early for Black Friday deals? NOT ME! Heck no! I slept in til 7:30 am, still dreaming about yesterday’s delicious charcuterie spread and that awesome chardonnay! But now it’s time to get going and hit the trail! My guests are going to love the barrel tastings today! Woot woot!!

25/11/2021

Happy Thanksgiving! It’s been a fantastic year and i am so grateful to have been able to host such awesome guests — many of whom have become friends! I hope everyone is relishing in the spirit of today — family, friends, food and love! I pray for those who are hurting right now and hope the day brings comfort and surrounds you with love. With deep appreciation, love you guys to the harvest moon and back!!

24/11/2021

"The Snake River Valley winemaking community is young, but vintners make up for their lack of years with ambition and energy. You won’t find a lot of pretension or stuffiness. You will find a lot of downright delicious wine. Here’s your guide to everywhere you should drink, eat, and stay in the nation’s buzziest new wine region."

Offering everything from basque chorizo to huckleberry ice cream to some of the most exciting wine trails in the country, here’s everything to know about wining and dining in the region

24/11/2021

Grace. Grit(s). Gratitude. My grateful heart approves! One last tour before the Thanksgiving festivities begin!! See you on the Wine Trail!

24/11/2021

Sometimes you have to allow your dream to show you what it needs before it can take root. I started the winery tour business earlier this year, after a decade+ of dreaming about it. You see, in 2008, i had an opportunity to purchase an old school bus, which i intended to convert into a wine tour bus. I could so vividly see us caravanning around Idaho’s newly-minted Snake River Valley AVA, hopping from one winery to the next in “vintage” style. Yet, before that dream could get off the ground, the world took a nose dive off the Economic Cliff. Instead of bootstrapping a new business venture, my partner at the time and I decided to take a more conservative approach. After all, we had a family to feed and a home to build and the wine tour business would just have to wait…

But in the subsequent years, as we slowly dug our way out of the financial slump (both globally and personally) we were presented with the opportunity to travel. First we explored more locally, and then ventured out to visit family abroad.

Touring through Washington state, Ireland, Spain…connecting with family and new friends and exploring new (to me) lands that would enhance my life experience as well as my palate…i see now how the derailing of our original plans led to real opportunity, despite my previous intentions, despite my hopeful back-burner dreams. it was the opportunity to get a real world education before venturing into such a risky business. to explore, experience and …come back and appreciate my hometown and the bounty it affords.

Well, long story short… I am currently looking at all the opportunities before me and feeling so grateful and blessed to know that no matter what, Life always has a funny way of working out. Especially when you TRUST it.

Why is it, though, that Tea Tag Wisdom always seems to synchronize with my current contemplations?

Lol…cheers!

23/11/2021

Sometimes you have to allow your dream to show you what it needs before it can take root. I started the winery tour business earlier this year, after a decade+ of dreaming about it. You see, in 2008, i had an opportunity to purchase an old school bus, which i intended to convert into a wine tour bus. I could so vividly see us caravanning around Idaho’s newly-minted Snake River Valley AVA, hopping from one winery to the next in “vintage” style. Yet, before that dream could get off the ground, the world took a nose dive off the Economic Cliff. Instead of bootstrapping a new business venture, my partner at the time and I decided to take a more conservative approach. After all, we had a family to feed and a home to build and the wine tour business would just have to wait…

But in the subsequent years, as we slowly dug our way out of the financial slump (both globally and personally) we were presented with the opportunity to travel. First we explored more locally, and then ventured out to visit family abroad.

Touring through Washington state, Ireland, Spain…connecting with family and new friends and exploring new (to me) lands that would enhance my life experience as well as my palate…i see now how the derailing of our original plans led to real opportunity, despite my previous intentions, despite my hopeful back-burner dreams. it was the opportunity to get a real world education before venturing into such a risky business. to explore, experience and …come back and appreciate my hometown and the bounty it affords.

Well, long story short… I am currently looking at all the opportunities before me and feeling so grateful and blessed to know that no matter what, Life always has a funny way of working out. Especially when you TRUST it.

Why is it, though, that Tea Tag Wisdom always seems to synchronize with my current contemplations?

Lol…cheers!

20/11/2021

Today’s tour rescheduled due to a guest's exposure the rona so i stopped in for lunch! look at this amazing !!

18/11/2021

This year we are keeping it local…here’s our Thanksgiving Day 🦃 wine selections!🍷 ⬅️ .
2019 Nebbiolo.
To get things started (and for those who like red wine with their rich thanksgiving day meal) this wine pairs well with charcuterie of rich cheeses and cured meats.
For our meal we will enjoy 2019 Chardonnay, rich with buttery, toasted vanilla and baking spices on the palate — perfectly paired with your turkey!
Alternatively, we will be serving up 2020 Riesling…crisp, bright and fresh — perfect to cut through the richness of your turkey day meal!
Finally, we’ve selected 2018 Gewurztraminer. Slightly sweet-dry, clean and crisp, the tropical fruit notes express nicely on the palate and pair beautifully with your harvest meal! I picked up all the wines at their respective wineries, except the last, which i purchased from Nampa’s newest wine shop, Swirl owned by
What are you drinking this / ?

17/11/2021

Was doing personal business yesterday in Sunnyslope and just couldn’t resist snapping these pictures of an autumn day in Idaho Wine Country.

16/11/2021

We LOVE the blind head-to-head Pinot Noir tasting at . It is always so fun to watch our guests try to taste their way through the Idaho vs. Oregon grape, and we can't wait until the California Pinot is added to the lineup...

15/11/2021

Golden. Like a rich chardonnay.

14/11/2021

It was an impromptu stop on the tour, but we caught the golden hour this evening at just in time to take some spectacular selfies and sunset shots. so happy to call this place home and so happy to share the experience with my guests! thanks, ladies, for another stellar tour! oh... and be expecting some pizza and wine posts, too...

13/11/2021

Hello! welcome to Sunnyslope! I don’t know if i should publicly share this story or not but…..When i was a girl, my father would “glean” grapes from this vineyard and apples from the orchards across the way and bring them home for the family to indulge! It is actually one of my favorite childhood memories of growing up in the Sunnyslope area.. that and hearing my dad squeal, Look at that Terra Firma!” every time we’d crest this hill…oh the gorgeous views! i feel such a powerful connection to this land and I love sharing it with my guests! You ready to learn about Idaho terroir?

12/11/2021

Rolling into the weekend like…

12/11/2021

OMGOODG … you guys. I’m sorry. I was so excited to try this pairing and i forgot to take a pretty picture… but here’s the gist…

Buffalo ribeye with pepper sauce (made with a splash of tonight’s wine selection…) and Mataro is freaking fantabulous!

12/11/2021

🍷We had a blast sampling the wines at yesterday. The Boise Urban Wine Trail is a fun and funky way to enjoy ! I am happy to customize your next private wine tasting tour! LINK IN BIO.

10/11/2021

You know this Aquarius loves her amethyst! It would be so cool to make replicas for tour guests!

08/11/2021

what’s not to like about the time change…it’s wine o’clock an hour earlier!

06/11/2021

The best wine is that shared with friends! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
😍 Is it time to book your Private Idaho Winery Tour?🍷 I think so! Link in Bio!

05/11/2021

Just a little shout out to the in Caldwell at the best pulled pork and
potato granades in the Treasure Valley!

for what it’s worth, I don’t get any kickbacks I don’t have secret arrangements with tasting rooms or wineries or any of the restaurants but I feature in my social media… These are just the places that I love personally, and I want to share with my guests, family, and friends! So you can be assured when we are on a tour my recommendation is authentic and genuine!

By the way, if you need a great restaurant recommendation after spending a day on the wine trail hit me up the in me delights at sharing my favorite hotspots!

05/11/2021

Celebrating “Trip Advisor’s #1 Tour Company” ranking tonight at Nampa’s best wine lounge, Swirl Wine Shop & Lounge (those of you regularly on the Wine Trail might recognize the owner Andrew, formerly at …) it was a GREAT evening and we will celebrate the little victories where we can! Cheers! 🍷❤️🔥🤘

04/11/2021

Having just launched in June, I am THRILLED to see that Private Idaho Winery Tours is listed as the #1 TOUR COMPANY in the area according to Trip Advisor!

THANK YOU!!!!!!

04/11/2021

Some days call for JUST ONE glass of wine...⁠
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I'll take the 1,000 ML glass please! ⁠
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(In case you don't know, that glass holds 1 and 1/3 bottles of wine!! LOL) ⁠
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03/11/2021

So much laughter and great conversation celebrating on the wine trail! Happy 70th Birthday, Patty! Please tell me your secret to your ageless beauty is being surrounded by love, laughter and really great wine! ⁠
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02/11/2021

“We drink and we know things…”

It was another great day for learning all about … so grateful Craig at shared a little bit of his process with us.

02/11/2021

Perfect end to a beautiful day on the slope! That Scoria Petit Verdot is ahhhh mazing. And Megan is in the waiting list to purchase those awesome wine glasses!

22/10/2021

“Coffee keeps me going until it's acceptable to drink wine!"⁠
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Seriously though...⁠
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21/10/2021

Would you just look at this gorgeous liquid rose gold!⁠
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Proof that rosé is not just a summer time wine!⁠
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20/10/2021

Who wants to sample some French and Spanish varietals this weekend? I’ve got room for your small group— link in bio!

And did you also know…?? 🍇🤓🤔⁠
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The Snake River Valley AVA—Idaho's largest wine production area—is on the same latitude as both Spain's Rioja region 🇪🇸 and France’s Rhône Valley? ⁠🇫🇷⁠
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The Spanish varietals of Albariño (the grapes in this photo, from Williamson's Orchards and Vineyards) and Tempranillo do really well in this area. ⁠🍷⁠ ⁠
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Viognier (a varietal originating from the Rhône Valley) favors our high desert climate, and the hot days and cool nights of the Snake River AVA. The region's dramatic diurnal shift can range as high as 30º -- meaning our 100º days cool down to around 70º at night--which helps protect the grape's acidity and delicate aromatics. ⁠
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I have noticed its burgeoning popularity as many of our tasting rooms seem to be selling out of this lovely white wine!⁠ 🥂⁠
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⁠At any rate, I'm kind of excited to sip this year's production, in a few years! ⁠
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19/10/2021

from when we had that smoke lingering in the air and you couldn't see the Owyhee mountains from the base of their foothills... but I DID manage to capture these fun shots of some happy clients who enjoyed an afternoon of picking flowers and feasting on a genuine farm-to-fork brunch experience (complete with cider flights!) ⁠and a few wine tastings, too!
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What a happy day that was, and I can't wait to make more happy memories this week! ⁠
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18/10/2021

When you get a whiff of gravel road in the bouquet, blame it on the volcanic soils…

At a recent tour through the “Williamson Orchard and Vineyards”vineyards, we received a short lesson on local soils. It turns out, this particular vineyard has at least three different kinds of soil, which dictates the placement of certain varietals.⁠
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Our region is rich with ancient volcanic sediment--fertile, well-draining soils that give growers better control throughout the grape-growing process. More importantly, this soil contributes to a unique terroir that, in the hands of talented winemakers, consistently delivers premium wines that are as memorable as they are delicious. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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16/10/2021

So much going on today on the Sunnyslope Wine Trail, but I'd like to give a special shout out to the folks at Kerryhill Winery for organizing their 2nd annual "Stomp Like Lucy" fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House! ⁠

When my brother was four years old, he was burned by scalding water over 60% of his body. He required skin graft surgery and it was Ronald McDonald House who helped our family when he had to travel for the treatments. He was one of the first recipients of care at a Ronald McDonald House.

Even if you haven't signed up, you can still stop by and cheer on the stompers while taking in the beautiful scenery! There's no cost to join as a spectator and there will be live music, food trucks, and yard games available.⁠
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Get yourself a glass or bottle of their award winning wines and enjoy! ⁠
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Proceeds from the event provide critical funds needed to operate and support the programs of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho.⁠
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