Snake River Valley is Idaho's Appelation

Snake River Valley is Idaho's appellation
By GARRY SCHOLZ - Special to the Idaho Statesman
Edition Date: 01/14/09

You'll see "Snake River Valley" on almost every bottle of Idaho wine you buy. The Snake River Valley appellation was designated to define an area of the United States with unique climate, weather and soil conditions.

The climate is northern high plains desert which means the weather pattern is hot summers, cold winters, little precipitation, and low humidity. Summer days are hot and nights cool.

There is little rainfall during the growing season and vines go dormant in the cold winters when precipitation occurs as snow.

The soil conditions are generally volcanic-derived, silt-like soil without significant organic-rich topsoil. Grapevines grow well in this soil when irrigated.

Many fine wine grape varieties do well in Idaho, and wine made within the Snake River Valley appellation is gaining more and more recognition for its quality.