Hot springs + Wine = premium relaxation to the point of melting in place. Savor and enjoy the moment!
We’ll leave it up to you whether you go hot-springing and then take a tour of our region’s wineries, or reverse the order. But we like the combination as a promising activity in the fall-winter in Southern Idaho.
The Southern Idaho region has four local wineries that are open for visitation in the fall – some of them by appointment-only. If you’ve never visited them, it’s always interesting to try one of your favorite blends that have been grown locally in the Snake River Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA). Overall, we’ve found that grapes grown in the Snake River Valley AVA make excellent wine!
While you’re touring the wineries, you can visit one of three hot springs in the same general area: 1000 Springs Resort, Miracle Hot Springs or Banbury Hot Springs. 1000 Springs Resort and Banbury are similar in that they provide a very large hot springs swimming pool, excellent for large groups and young kids. Miracle Hot Springs has smaller pools with different temperatures and spa services for a more intimate experience.
All three have private rooms with hot pools you can rent, plus limited overnight accommodations, outdoor camping and party rooms for rent.
And now for the wine tour, going from west to east in Southern Idaho, you can visit:
Y Knot Winery
- Y Knot Winery in Glenns Ferry, where you also can play 9 holes of golf or hold a private party on their impressive grounds. The winery has a very extensive array of white and red wines. Red varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Bleu Noir (Blaufränkisch) and Pinot Noir. Whites include Chardonnay, Riesling, Sémillon and Pinot Grigio. They are particularly proud of their premium blends, including Meritage, Roundup Triumvino, Old Vine Sweet and River’s Mist. They also have a sparkling white wine made with their estate-grown Riesling, and a Solera-style Port. The Crossings tasting room is open 7 days a week after noon. Wine tours occur on weekends from 2-4 p.m. For more information, call 208-366-2313.
Feathered Winds Winery
- Continue east on I-84, then take the Bliss or Hagerman exit and take a scenic drive on the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway (Highway 30) and see where Feathered Winds wines is grown and harvested. They have a Windy White and River’s Edge Red. Plus select wines from Idaho, Oregon, Washington and California, and from around the world. You can now sample and purchase their wines just down the road in Jerome, Idaho. They have posted hours, but can open for special appointments as well.
Holesinsky Winery
- North of Buhl, you can tour Holesinsky Winery and organic vineyard, next to the Snake River. Tours are available by appointment only – call 907-713-4500. The wines produced at Holesinsky Vineyards “sing songs of passion, creativity, commitment, and a celebration of life and love,” according to their Facebook page. “In every sip, you can taste the stories of the Holesinsky family. “With only the highest of artistic integrity, Holesisnky’s Vineyard and Winery creates some of the most versatile flavors and highest quality wines in the Northwestern states of America. When someone buys my wine I want them to taste it and know that this is what wine is supposed to taste like,” says James Holesinsky. They produce their own varietals of Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, Port, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, and Muscat.
Snyder Winery
- Also in Buhl, Snyder Winery features beautifully manicured grounds, delightful wines and an amazing steakhouse. Currently only open by 72 hour notice reservations. You can call 208-543-6938 or visit their website for a reservation form. They’ll treat you to a fantastic night of dinner, wine and amazing atmosphere.
After your tours, we’d recommend visiting the Snake River Grill in Hagerman for a delicious lunch or dinner. You’ll be impressed with their menu and fresh fish! For local lodging, check on the options at Southern Idaho Tourism.
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