Climate change and it’s effect on Idaho vines

The Idaho Capital Sun wrote an interesting article about climate change and the apparent effects it may have on Idaho’s vineyards. They talked with a couple of Sunnyslope grape growers and an adjunct research scientist at Columbia University who studies drought and it’s effects on plants.

“As far as agriculture and climate change goes, wine is kind of the canary in the coalmine,” Benjamin Cook of Columbia University said. “It’s a perennial crop that sticks around every year, and it’s so sensitive to what’s happening with weather and the environment.”

Mike Williamson spoke to them about the importance of water conservation using drip irrigation, “We get better quality when we’re more water conscious, the fruit has better flavors, and you can get better colors,” Williamson said. “The trees and vines are both better balanced, and you get more intense flavors.”

Head on over to the fascinating article here: ‘Canary in the coalmine’: Climate change becoming big factor for Idaho winemakers

Idaho’s wine industry builds on its success

Brad Carlson of the Capital Press headed out to the Sunnyslope region to talk with grape growers about how the vineyard plantings have been increasing in acreage. Even with production steadily increasing since the 1990’s, Idaho still experiences more demand for Idaho grown grapes than supply. See what different growers had to say about the increasing quantity and quality of Idaho grapes.

Read the full article here: Way to Grow, Idaho wine industry

Sip & Save Showcase – Dry Rosé

Our first rosé blend is a tasty mix of Tempranillo, Carmenérè, and Cinsault.

Don’t miss out on our amazing offer! We’re changing it up every two weeks, and until August 3, it’s the yummy 2020 Dry Rosé in the showcase. Available while supplies last.

To tantalize the taste buds, our tasting notes: A gorgeously clear, peachy-blush color, this wine builds anticipation as it’s poured into your glass. Stonefruit aromas up front finish with soft grapefruit. Delicate flavors of cherry-limeade are enjoyed with balanced acid leaving the palate with a crisp and clean finish.

Food pairing suggestions: Garlic shrimp, garden salad with a light vinaigrette, and grilled, smoked chicken. Dessert could be strawberry/rhubarb pie

Pick up a bottle (or two) of this featured wine from
July 21 – August 3 at an amazing price!

Regular Retail Price $17.00 per bottle.

Price is for showcased wine only.
Discounts will apply at checkout, go to the webstore here.

Williamson Orchards is helping with orchard robot testing

An NNU professor with his engineering students have created an orchard robot that will be used to supplement harvest crews. Williamson Orchards is one of the orchards that will help test this new technology. Mike spoke with Sean Ellis at the Idaho Farm Bureau and this is the interesting article about the project. Read it here: Idaho-developed bot could help orchardists.

Virtual Happy Hour – July 8

Patrick and Teresa taste through our newest white wine releases. Check out the video where they talk about everything from the vines, to the 2020 weather and growing season to tasting notes on the 2020 Riesling, 2020 Viognier, 2020 Dry Rosé, and 2020 Albariño.  Grab a glass of your favorite and enjoy.

2021 Albariño has hit the shelves!

The wait is over for the 2021 Albariño! If you’re wine club, you can pick up a bottle right now. If you’re not yet a wine club member, it will be available to everyone staring June 30, 2021. We think you will love our newest white varietal.

Tasting Notes:  Our second vintage of this wine is a lovely clear, bright, straw-hued wine. Interesting aromas of light pineapple, kiwi, and lemongrass greet you in the glass. Bright and zesty lemon and starfruit flavors change into a straw and barley flavor in the midpalate. This wine finishes with a burst of grapefruit and hints of jasmine on the tongue.

Food Pairings: Oysters on the half shell, lemon chicken piccata, new potatoes in butter and herbs, quiche Lorraine, and pasta salad with Italian flavor.

Wine club member price – $19.55
General public price – $23.00 (starting 6/30/21)

Sip & Save Showcase – Blossom Rosé

Don’t miss out on our amazing offer! We’re changing it up every two weeks, until April 27, it’s our amazing 2019 Blossom Rosé.
Available while supplies last.

Regular price – $16.00

To tantalize the taste buds, our tasting notes: The delightful fuchsia color invites you in for the first sniff. Sweet red apple aromas hit at the beginning with hints of blood orange and strawberries completing your first impression. An explosion of mouthfilling berry fills the mouth and lingers, finally releasing the palate with an exquisite strawberry and blood orange finish.

Pick up a bottle (or two) of this featured wine from April 14 to April 27 at an amazing price!

Discounts will apply at checkout, go to the webstore here.

Virtual Happy Hour – April 8

Mushroom Madness

We talk about the versatility of these funny little fungi! Learn why you need more mushrooms and wine in your diet!

Click here for mushroom madness video

Join us for a quick and painless lesson on the magic of “culinary” mushrooms!

March Recipe –

What better way to cheer on warmer weather than with a little dose of Irish influence? If you’ve never combined stout with chocolate, here’s the perfect opportunity. A recipe with few ingredients and minimal time spent over a hot stove is our idea of the perfect meal-ender, or late afternoon pick-me-up. We recommend using your favorite stout, we love Guinness. If you really want to get decadent, sip a little Doce or Malbec with your chocolate treat.

Chocolate Stout Lava Cake

5 oz butter , plus extra for the ramekins
7 oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa), roughly chopped
1/3 cup golden caster sugar (regular white sugar will work)
3 large eggs
1/3 cup Guinness
Heavy whipping cream, stiffly whipped, to serve (optional)
1/3 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Butter four 6 ounce ramekins and set aside. Place the butter, chocolate and a pinch of salt into a heatproof bowl. Set over a small pan of just-simmering water and stir until melted, then remove from the heat and leave to cool a little.

Put the sugar and eggs in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until pale, almost doubled in volume and thick enough to leave a trail when the beaters are lifted up. Gently fold in the melted chocolate and the Guinness. Spoon the mixture into the ramekins, then chill in the fridge for 1 hr. Heat oven to 400°f  and put a baking tray on the top shelf to heat up.

Place the ramekins on the hot baking tray and bake for 18 mins. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips (if desired) leave to stand for a minute, then serve with a dollop of cream, if you like. Ice cream is also delicious.

Enjoy!

Drink Pink – By The Case!

Are you dreaming of springtime? We can’t wait to enjoy some warm sun and watching the plants wake up. Until then, we will deal with our cabin fever by sipping some pretty pink wines to remind us of warmer days. You too, can get into the springtime mood with a case of Blossom Rosé or Dry Rosé (or a mix of both) at a premium price. Or show your love for rosé wines with a Drink Pink t-shirt of your very own.

General Public = 20% off a case of Pink Wine
Wine Club Members = 25% off a case of Pink Wine
20% off Drink Pink T-Shirts
……..
Take advantage of this perfectly pink promotion from March 3rd to March 28th.
No other discounts apply. While supplies last.