Huston Vineyards Syrah shines again at Idaho Wine Competition
Jacob and Joshua Alger of Huston Vineyards teamed up to earn six gold medals — led by the judging’s No. 1 wine — at the 2026 Idaho Wine Competition.
Gem State’s 17th annual judging serves as primer for Idaho Wine Month
With popular Savor Idaho — the state’s signature wine and culinary event — just around the corner, a group of Pacific Northwest wine experts will meet in the Snake River Valley to judge the 17th annual Idaho Wine Competition. New to the panel this year will be Seattle author/wine merchant Paul Zitarelli of Full Pull […]
Greg Koenig to open Devil’s Bedstead project with Cab that tops Idaho Wine Competition
CALDWELL, Idaho — In 2010, when Great Northwest Wine launched the Idaho Wine Competition, a Cabernet Sauvignon from 5-acre Fraser Vineyard in the Snake River Valley earned a double gold medal and won best in show. This week, 15 years later, Idaho-grown winemaker Greg Koenig stole the show when his 2020 Fraser Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon […]
A different panel, another best of show for Idaho winemaker Will Wetmore
CALDWELL, Idaho — Back when Will Wetmore was playing college baseball in California, it’s hard to fathom he strung together as many hits as he has as a winemaker in his adopted home state of Idaho. Great Northwest Wine’s reigning Idaho Winery of the Year more than doubled down on that acclaim this spring when […]
Judging panel for 15th annual Idaho Wine & Cider Competition features Liz Thach, Master of Wine
The 15th annual Idaho Wine and Cider Competition will be staged Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Koenig Vineyards — in the heart of the Snake River Valley — by Great Northwest Wine as a collaborative effort with the Idaho Wine Commission. This judging celebrates the best of Idaho wine and cider, and the panel is […]
Riesling ice wine by Koenig Vineyards rules Idaho judging again
CALDWELL, Idaho — It was no shock to see the storied Riesling ice wine program at Koenig Vineyards win best of show in the 2023 Idaho Wine & Cider Competition — the third time in the past decade. This time, however, it wasn’t founder Greg Koenig who doted on those icy marbles of Riesling and […]
Unique approach to ice wine leads to win for Nederend, Koenig Vineyards
CALDWELL, Idaho — There’s a rich tradition of exquisite dessert wines made with Williamson Vineyard Riesling at Koenig Vineyards, but it’s rare to see a multiple vintage expression of ice wine produced anywhere in the world, much less the Snake River Valley. This spring, the Koenig Vineyards nonvintage Riesling Ice Wine ($30) merited top awards […]
Judging panel set for 2023 Idaho Wine and Cider Competition
The 14th annual Idaho Wine and Cider Competition will be staged Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at Koenig Vineyards — in the heart of the Snake River Valley — by Great Northwest Wine as a collaborative effort with the Idaho Wine Commission. This judging celebrates the best of the Idaho wine industry, and the panel is a […]
Melanie Krause of Cinder Wines uses Syrah to win Idaho Wine & Cider Competition for third time
CALDWELL, Idaho — Melanie Krause was a winemaking star on the rise at Château Ste. Michelle in Washington state when she returned to her native Idaho to make world-class Syrah in the Snake River Valley and launch Cinder Wines in 2008. And while this week marked the third time Krause has produced the No. 1 […]
Hat Ranch Winery tops Idaho Wine Competition with Cabernet Franc from Lewis-Clark Valley
CALDWELL, Idaho — Judges at the 2021 Idaho Wine Competition provided reminders to the Gem State and beyond that Tim Harless ranks among the region’s top winemakers when the Hat Ranch Winery 2018 Rivaura Vineyards Cabernet Franc won best of show. Harless also earned a double gold for his 2020 Sèmillon and a gold for […]