Viticultural Designation
Wine Growing Region Near Boise Identified for its Soil, Climate. The Idaho wine community gained an important new designation with the approval of the Eagle Foothills American Viticultural Area (AVA). An AVA is a federally designated wine grape-growing region distinguishable by distinct geographic features such as climate, soil, elevation and physical features. Conditions and grapes grown within this geographic region cannot be replicated.
Previously, Idaho vineyards were lumped together within the Snake River Valley AVA—one that spans through Idaho and eastern Oregon. The Eagle Foothills is the first AVA to be located completely within the boundaries of the state of Idaho, as well as the first sub-AVA of the Snake River Valley AVA.
“There is so much opportunity within the Eagle Foothills AVA—it helps establish Idaho as a wine growing destination and gains recognition for Idaho wines as a whole.” said Moya Dolsby, executive director of the Idaho Wine Commission. “Not only does it tightly distinguish where grapes came from, but it also shows growers we have a region that should be considered. More growth will lead to increased sales and more production of fine Idaho wines.”
