Basquing In the Sunset

Wine is an extension of food it is not another spirit or another beer it is the expression of the soil, the local terrior in which one lives. Those true experiences,  the ones which are not easily forgotten are those in which Great Wine is paired with Great Food and mingled with Great Friends, those are the Best of Times.

 Southwest Idaho is steeped in rich Basque heritage, a people of  deep roots certainly appreciating what is comprised of the Best of Times.

Come partake of that experience in Southwest Idaho along the Sunnyslope Wine Trail at Huston Vineyards and experience 5 Great Wines, paired with 5 courses all prepared by a  Basque Chef, a dining extravaganza, with entertainment from the Basque dancers, all while watching the sun set during the harvest season....beautiful.

    Location: Huston Vineyards, Southwest Idaho
   Address: 16473 Chicken Dinner Road
   City: Caldwell ID
   Time: 6:30 pm
   Date: September 20th, 2014

   Cost: $75 per person

   Attire: Country Outdoor, Bring a Jacket it will cool down in the evening
  Tickets: mary@hustonvineyards.com  208-861-8511



Cheers

Gregg and Mary

Spring is Bursting with Color Along the Sunnyslope Wine Trail

It's time to dust the cobweb's off your camera, your picnic basket and your sense of adventure!  Spring has sprung along the Sunnyslope Wine Trail!  The scenic drive around Lake Lowell and into the Sunnyslope area is truly spectacular right now.  The fruit trees are ablaze with color as the first blossoms of spring indicate that the harsh winter temperatures are no match for these hearty fruit varietals.  The vineyards are pruned and manicured, awaiting bud break anticipated around May 5th. 

In celebration of this special time of the year, Huston Vineyards and the Sunnyslope Wineries are sponsoring Bud to Blossom, April 15- May 31, 2013 and invite you out to enjoy our wines and majestic views.  Bring your camera and your friends!  Just 35 minutes from downtown Boise, the Sunnyslope Wine Trail is a great exercise of the senses and a great way to rejuvinate the soul!

We would love to share our wines and our friendship.  See You On The Slope We Hope!

Cold Winter on Chicken Dinner Road

Brrrrrrr, it is cold on Chicken Dinner Road!

Been asked more than a few times in the last couple of days......how are the grapes doing with all this cold weather and will those great Snake River Valley grapes be ready to make their way into Huston Vineyards wines in 2013?

The question is real.....hovering in the low teens during the day,dipping close to 0 degrees in the early mornings, one starts to wonder how do plants, especially Mediterranean grape plants, continue to do their “thing" in these miserably cold days.

It is surprising how resilient these little producers of fruit can be  in what one would consider to be harsh conditions. If there was any real bright spot in these current harsh conditions it would be the timing of when the real cold commenced.

The little grape plant has had a relatively long period of time to shutdown since last harvest....Oct 13^th… and has continued to acclimate to the cold, developing what we call ...cold hardiness. The varietals we have planted in our vineyards have relatively high cold hardiness at this time of year especially for the primary buds.....which is next year’s fruit.

Cabernet Sauvignon can incur some really cold temperatures to -8 degrees below 0 before seeing a nominal amount of bud damage of 10% or less. Merlot is -9.5 degrees and Syrah is -7. Cane damage can occur around 0 degrees and usually the bulk of small cane is pruned off in February and March. Trunk and bark damage occurs at much colder temperatures usually -10 or below. For those techie readers you can find detailed info @ the following link http://wine.wsu.edu/research-extension/weather/cold-hardiness/

The net...net….. looks like we say our prayers and ask for a plentiful harvest in 2013. One never really knows in the farming world......but it looks like it may be okay. Sure excited to hear the  weather forecast this evening....a storm blowing in…just might rid the valley of this COLD inversion, warming the temperatures to 40 degrees.

Check back for more developing details.

Until then....don’t forget to hold your glass high and toast…..Here is to Great Wine! Great Food! Great Friends! and ultimately Great Times!

Cheers