What makes Idaho unique as a wine grape growing region? Idaho vineyards enjoy some of the highest grape-growing elevations in the United States. The hot days allow the grapes to ripen fully, while the cool nights contribute to a high natural acid level in the grapes. Consequently, we can make premium wine without amendments like tartaric acid or sugar. The grapes for Snake River wines come from the Arena Valley Vineyard. What is special about the Arena Valley? The Arena Valley is stadium-shaped and well-protected, sloping down to the Snake River. For millions of years the river has flowed from the Grand Teton Mountains, depositing a mix of large and small river rock, sand, and organic matter. The result is a sparse soil that naturally restricts growth, while allowing us to apply just enough water to keep the vines healthy. In addition, the vineyard has a significant south slope. This allows cold air to drain out of the vineyard (reducing potential damage from spring frost), and provides direct sunlight that fully ripens the fruit. Finally, the nearby Snake River moderates temperatures, keeping the vineyard cooler in the heat of summer and warmer in the freezing winter. What's new in the vineyard? Since our last update we have several new plantings. In 2001 we added Barbera, 2002 Grenache, Touriga Nacional, and Tinto Cao. The Barbera, as witnessed by our first release, 2004, shows great promise. It is a late ripening varietal so we will make certain to keep the yield low. The other grapes we will wait and see. Why can't you ship wine to me? Perhaps the biggest single challenge facing the small winery is getting its wines to consumers in non-reciprocal states. When prohibition was extinguished by FDR in 1933, legislative control of alcohol beverages was given to individual states. Today there are only thirteen reciprocal states that allow the free trade of wine across state borders. If you believe protectionist policies in world trade are counterproductive and ultimately harmful to the consumer, the liquor laws that exist in some states will make your blood boil. Why shouldn't a citizen of this great country have open access to agricultural products from any state? The Wine Institute offers complete information on shipping across state borders. www.wineinstitute.org Click on the Wine Law tab at the top, then click Interstate Shipping. In many states, your local wine shop is able to order for you, and we can ship to them.