Seated at the gateway to the Sunny Slope Wine Trail, Huston Vineyards fully demonstrates the exciting future of Idaho wine. The boutique winery was founded in 2006 by Mary and Gregg Alger, two Idaho natives who left their corporate careers to follow a dream of starting a vineyard and making wine.
The Algers saw great potential in the heart of the Snake River Valley. This beautiful growing region, very similar to Argentina, Chile, and the Rioja region of Spain, features some of the highest vineyards in North America.
Since their first vintage, the 2008 Huston Vineyards Private Reserve Red, the Algers have collaborated with Winemaker Melanie Krause whose own winery provides a local crush facility. A Boise native, Melanie started her winemaking career at Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Canoe Ridge Estate Winery in Washington.
The current Huston Vineyards portfolio ranges from a rich, golden Chardonnay to a stunning Malbec, which may easily become a signature wine for the Snake River Valley AVA. “Malbec is conducive to our growing region for many reasons,” Gregg says. “The elevation of the vineyard sites where Malbec is grown is between 2,500 and 3,000 feet above sea level, and our climate is very dry and arid. These characteristics create a very aromatic, rich, fruit-forward wine with a nice balance of acidity. And our daily climate change of warm days to cool nights leads to a full-bodied, balanced wine with lingering tannins.”
With a conviction that wine is an extension of the plate, the Algers craft their wines to complement food, particularly in dishes that express the region’s rich Basque heritage. They host many wine-and-food-focused events where Southwest Idaho’s bounty of more than 120 crops is abundantly sourced to create exquisite cuisine paired with Huston’s impeccable wines.
The Huston Vineyards tasting room is an inviting place to discover great wines. In fact, two new wines are soon to be released: a Petite Sirah in early spring and a Cabernet Sauvignon in late fall.
For more information, visit hustonvineyards.com