Why you should visit wineries in Eagle, Idaho
This blog post covers the best wineries in Eagle, Idaho.
Wineries in Eagle, Idaho offer great wine in a relaxed setting.
These four wineries offer a range of styles from full-bodied reds to old world style sparkling wines. Some wineries practice sustainable farming techniques. They want future generations to enjoy the gorgeous Idaho they know and love.
Several of these wineries have fun backstories inspired by Idaho’s gorgeous rivers and colorful historic figures. Some wineries have crafted wine for years while others are just getting started.
Eagle, Idaho is a small town located within Treasure Valley. Treasure Valley includes the state’s three biggest cities: Boise, Nampa, and Meridian. Treasure Valley also includes the smaller communities of Eagle, Caldwell, Kuna, and Garden City (among others).
Eagle, Idaho is just one location within Idaho’s largest metropolitan area. But we think this special area deserves its own blog post.
When it comes to wine and tasting experiences these four wineries in Eagle, Idaho punch above their weight. If you haven’t explored the Idaho wine industry yet then now is the time. It’s got a lot to offer. Enjoy!
How to access wineries in Eagle, Idaho
The wineries in Eagle, Idaho are easy to access. But you will need a car.
Eagle is a small town situated within Treasure Valley. Treasure Valley is Idaho’s largest metropolitan area, which includes Boise, Nampa, and Meridian.
- Eagle is 10 miles from Boise. The drive should take about 16 minutes. But it could take longer depending on traffic.
- Meridian is 8 miles away. It’ll take 12 minutes by car.
- Nampa is 17 miles away, which is a roughly 30 minute drive.
Eagle is close to smaller Treasure Valley towns such as Caldwell, Kuna, and Garden City.
- Garden City is 9 miles away. The drive will take 15-20 minutes by car depending on traffic.
- Eagle is 19 miles from Caldwell. The drive will take approximately 34 minutes.
- Kuna is 19 miles away, which is a roughly 30 minute drive.
If you already live in Idaho State, then great! You can simply get in your car and drive to the Eagle wineries on this list.
But if you live out of state then you’ll need to fly into Boise Airport (BOI), rent a car, and drive from the airport to the wineries on this list.
The best wineries in Eagle, Idaho for a wine tasting
3 Horse Ranch Vineyards
3 Horse Ranch Vineyards makes full-flavored red wines in the Eagle Foothills AVA.
This award-winning winery creates exceptional wines from a variety of grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. Many of their wines represent a single estate vineyard in the Eagle Foothills AVA.
Owners Gary and Martha Cunningham live near their vineyards. They decided they did not want to risk exposure to traditional herbicides and pesticides. Instead they use “environmentally sustainable farming practices.” So, if you pick up a bottle of their estate wines, you can be sure it was made with “100% naturally grown grapes.”
The 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards estate is located north of downtown Eagle, Idaho. Their wine tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12–6 PM. They’re closed Monday and Tuesday.
By the way, this winery offers a place to stay overnight. The appropriately named “Vineyard House” is located at the base of 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards. This two-bed two-bath guest house has two decks and a full kitchen. But if you don’t feel like cooking you can walk across the street to Ranch House (the winery’s restaurant).
3100 Cellars
3100 Cellars crafts sparkling wine in the heart of Idaho wine country.
The name “3100 Cellars” has a fun backstory. The story began when Hailey and Marshall Minder met on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. During a trip to Hells Canyon they agreed to make sparkling wine. When it came time to name their winery the Minder family found inspiration in the 3,100 miles of whitewater river in Idaho.
3100 Cellars is Idaho’s only sparkling winery. They aim to make old world style traditional method sparkling wines from Idaho grapes. Their wines age for three years on average.
You can sample these fun sparkling wines at the 3100 Cellars tasting room. This small boutique winery is located in the Eagle Foothills AVA just a few minutes from downtown Eagle.
Tastings at 3100 Cellars cover the entire winemaking process from harvest to bottle. The tour begins with an explanation of the estate’s sustainable farming practices. It continues into the cellar where you’ll learn about the rest of the winemaking process. The experience ends with a selection of wines paired with locally sourced snacks.
Tastings are available by appointment only. Contact the winery by email or phone to make your appointment. Tours can start between 12 PM and 4 PM on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. The tasting fee is $15 per person, which is waived with the purchase of three bottles.
Dude DeWalt Cellars
Dude DeWalt Cellars is named after a colorful character.
There once was a man named Clarence “Dude” DeWalt who worked as a shepherd in early 1930’s Idaho. One night DeWalt shared drinks with a friend. Unfortunately they fought over a woman and DeWalt’s friend stabbed him. Today the winery sits over the gulch where Dude DeWalt was stabbed. So naturally the winery is named for him.
Dude DeWalt Cellars sources grapes from the Snake River Valley wine region of Idaho. Their grapes also come from the Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley winegrowing regions of Washington State. They craft a selection of wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo, and Chardonnay grapes.
Look for the La Raina sparking wine. This wine is made using traditional techniques like a secondary fermentation and disgorgement by hand.
The Dude DeWalt Cellars tasting room is nestled in the rolling hills of Eagle, Idaho. The tasting room is open Wednesday and Thursday from 12–6 PM. Friday and Saturday it’s open from 12–8 PM. It’s closed Sunday through Tuesday.
Buckhorn Vineyards
Buckhorn Vineyards is a small boutique winery in Idaho’s Treasure Valley.
Owners John Hawker and Melanie Johnson view Buckhorn Vineyards as their “second act.” They traveled extensively through California’s best wine regions including Napa, Sonoma, and the Russian River Valley. Eventually they agreed to retire and launch a winery together. Melanie suggested Treasure Valley and the rest is history.
Today John and Melanie host tastings in their very own winery in Eagle, Idaho. The couple harvests grapes from their own vineyard. Buckhorn Vineyards sources additional grapes from small vineyards in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and California.
Over the years Buckhorn Vineyards has made a variety of white wines from Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling grapes. Their red wines feature Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel.
You can sample Buckhorn Vineyards wines at their Eagle tasting room. The tasting room has limited seating and parking so you must make a reservation. You can schedule a reservation via the Buckhorn Vineyards website. The tasting fee is $10 per person.
Other wine destinations in the Western United States
Idaho State wine destinations
Eagle is within easy driving distance of Boise. In fact, Boise is the heart of Idaho wine country and Treasure Valley. These Boise wineries and wine bars pour amazing wines in relaxed tasting rooms.
If you’re ready to explore the area just outside Boise then check out our list of the best wineries in Treasure Valley. These special wineries make delicious wine from sustainably grown grapes.
Where to go in Washington State wine country
If you’re interested in Idaho wine country then we bet you’ll love Washington State as well.
Walla Walla is among the best places to taste wine in Eastern Washington. This small town has wonderful wineries nestled amongst gently rolling hills. Our list of the best Walla Walla wineries with lodging shows you where to stay during your visit.
The best wineries in Prosser present as less fancy than Walla Walla. But their wines are still great! Prosser’s Vintners Village is a collection of tasting rooms all within easy walking distance of one another.
Red Mountain is a famous Washington winegrowing region known for its highly prized grapes. These Red Mountain wineries turn some of the state’s best fruit into extraordinary wines. These wineries are a must visit.
If you live in Idaho then you’ve likely visited Spokane, Washington. The best Spokane wineries are spread between downtown Spokane (very walkable) and its suburbs (you’ll need a car).
