The Idaho wine industry is truly an amazing community. Right now there are over 50 wineries, and about 1300 acres of vineyard planted. That means we have the opportunity to know almost everyone in the industry, and it is a wide range of people! There are some formal education backgrounds in winemaking that have come to (or boomeranged back) to the Gem State, and some people that fell into the wine industry in Idaho. Grit, will, determination, and passion are common factors among winemakers and growers here. With harsh winters, growers have to be smart and come to decisions quickly to combat some of the challenges in our growing regions. Once the fruit gets into the winery winemakers can mold the fruit in different ways to make it truly their own. The great thing about the growers, winemakers, and everyone else connected to the industry is how diverse and welcoming it is.
Our Idaho Wine Commission worked with some local people and took a pulse on what people love about the industry, and something they heard over, and over again was how welcoming it is regardless of prior wine knowledge. Here is a video that shows the diversity and open arms of the industry.