The “Best Of” – Tasting Wine for Work

“Headed on a wine tour today for work...Gotta love it!!”

I threw that line up on my Facebook page Friday morning before heading out on the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce Private Wine Tour and immediately got 10 “Likes.”  Honestly, who doesn’t love a good wine tour?

When Steph and Jess asked if I wanted to attend the annual private wine tour on behalf of Red Sky, I jumped at the opportunity for a few reasons:

• I love wine & everything associated with it – the vines, the wine makers, the endless types and flavors, the uniqueness of each vineyard…
• I don’t spend time a lot of time in Caldwell and was hoping I’d get to see the best of the best

Upon completion of the five-hour tour, I drove back to Boise thinking, “I really love Idaho…”

I showed up solo to the start of the tour at the Best Western Hotel in Caldwell off I-84.  I didn’t get to enjoy more than a half a second of awkward stand-alone time before I was immediately welcomed by Shane of PepperShock Media who helped organize the event.  He welcomed me and introduced me to Gregg Alger, the father and winemaker of Huston Vineyards in Huston, Idaho (and maker of my new favorite wine).  From there, I quickly met several other people from Caldwell and Boise businesses.

My shuttle seatmate was CJ Kenney of Caldwell’s Wild Rose Manor (great looking B&B) who showed me the latest updates to Caldwell’s downtown area – including a bridge made of materials from a historic building recently removed to make way for a new landscape.  Theresa Hardin, the passionate Executive Director for the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce, later told me about the summer and holiday festivities they have in the Caldwell area – all of which I’ll be adding to my expanding “Local List of To-Do’s.”

On to the wine…

We made stops at three distinctly different vineyards: St. Chapelle, Bitner Vineyards (run by Ron and Mary Bitner) and Huston Vineyards.

First up: St. Chapelle

The first thing you see while driving up is the outstanding chapel-like building standing on the vine-sloped hill (it matches their bottle).  The beautiful landscape overlooks miles of agriculture, including expansive grapevines and fruit trees.  My recommendation here: Soft Huckleberry wine.  Sweet and absolutely lip-smacking delicious.  The official Wine Maker gave us a very insightful tour of the facility – recommended to anyone interested in making wine.

Next on the list: Bitner Vineyards

Ron Bitner joined us on the entire wine tour and halfway through, he welcomed us to his own winery: Bitner Vineyards.  The view from their welcoming wooden deck was spectacular and stretched (quite literally) as far as my eye could see.  I don’t know if it was the wine tasting, or the family-like atmosphere (complete with two mellow welcome-crew dogs), but the small tasting room was roaring with laughter and it seemed like the group felt at home here.  Beautiful scenery, gracious and comfortable hosts – the perfect setting for a taste or two of wine.  Recommendation here: Menopause Merlot.  It got a big laugh from the crowd and truly tasted fantastic!

Final stop: Huston Vineyards

The caravan pulled up to the unassuming house surrounded by bright blue flax seed fields and grapevines.  The hesitation everyone felt stepping into the converted garage tasting room lasted less than a minute – seriously.  Gregg and his family were the perfect hosts.  I’m sure if Gregg could have fit everyone into one giant bear hug, he probably would have.  Beyond the unexplainably warm welcome we received, the wine was incredible.  Their prized “$40 Idaho wine” bottle was a steal at that price.  Recommendation here: the famous Chicken Dinner Red and Chicken Dinner White were, without a doubt, my top picks of the day.  Smooth as can be and priced right.

At the end of the day, I came home and told my husband that while the wine was wonderful, I absolutely LOVED that we got to spend half a day touring with two of the wine makers (Ron Bitner and Gregg Alger) as well as experience the personable atmosphere of the Caldwell business community and Chamber.

Practicing Public Relations, we generally encourage companies to showcase the “Best Of” their business – to show their personality and welcome people into the heart of their organization.  It’s what makes loyal partners and keeps people coming back for more.  Until last Friday, I wasn’t the biggest advocate for the Caldwell community and it’s not because I disliked Caldwell, it’s because I didn’t KNOW the area or what the “Best Of” that area really meant.  Every organization or community, large or small, has a heart and soul to it.  It’s the “Best Of” that’s worth showing off, in addition to whatever product or service the organization offers.

I love that I got to know the “Best Of” Caldwell – from the organizations to the business owners to the incredible selection of wine and seriously beautiful scenery.  Grassroots public education at it’s finest and I will undoubtedly be making my way back for more.

- Anna Gamel