Marsing—Further evidence that Idaho’s wine industry has arrived: Gem State winemakers took home a record 47 medals at the prestigious Pacific Northwest Wine Summit held last week at Timberline Lodge in Oregon. It's the largest wine competition in the Northwest.

Canyon County and YF and R Farm Bureau Member Gina Davis of Davis Creek Sellers took home four bronze medals, two silvers, a gold and a double gold for her 2007 Syrah ($20.00) and 2007 Malbec (20.00), 2008 Rosé of Syrah ( $10) 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon($29); and 2007 Tempranillo ($20).

“I had no idea I’d win,” said Davis. “I had hoped to place somewhere in the middle of the pack because it was my first year out and I was hoping for decent placing, I didn’t think I’d place higher than some of the wineries I worked for.”

Davis recently graduated from the University of Idaho but already has gained a reputation for her Davis Creek Cellar label. She has her own shop in Marsing, Idaho. “The tasting room opened last June and the first wines were harvested in the fall of ’07, we’ve got ’08 in the barrels, so we’re moving right along.
                                                                                   Gina Davis with the 2008 crop--Jake Putnam photo

Gina Davis’ reputation as a winemaker is secure after her rookie season but says modestly that she learned from the masters who passed on the tried and true methods to Idaho winemaking. “Working for Brad Pintler had an impact on my success, the basic of what I learned comes from him and Greg Koenig really helped polish my skills to get to where I am now.”

Davis is active in Canyon County Farm Bureau and the Young Farmer and Rancher group; she says the industry is growing because of diversity, new ideas, and blood in the Snake River viticultural area. She points out that growers are using open vine canopies, drip irrigation and aggressive pruning that stress the vine that produces fewer yet tasty grapes.

That diversity comes from plentiful irrigation water and volcanic soil that gives the land richness unique in the entire world; it transformed this land from desert sage to lush cash crops.  Elevations are 2-to 3-thousand feet higher than California’s famed Napa Valley and this change in elevation combined with the ash laden soils, warm days, cool nights translates into grape sweetness that’s found only south of Nampa.

Aggressive new ideas and practices add up to a bright future according to Davis. “Our growers have improved BMP’s, we’ have great fruit out there and finally we’re getting the medals to show for it.”

At last count more than 15 wineries thrive in Snake River Wine Region with 46 distinct vineyards covering 1,107 acres.  Most vineyards are open to the public and wine tasting rooms offer enthusiasts a taste of wine, picnics not to mention special events such as concerts, wine dinners, and even weddings.

“We have some of the most beautiful vineyards in the in the country and yet they haven’t heard of Marsing or how to get here,” said Ron Bitner of Bitner Vineyards. But with the success more and more wine aficionados are finding their way to Marsing’s wine tasting rooms.

For the Idaho Wine Industry the pressure is on to keep producing great vintages and it all starts once again in the vineyards. “Well, you try and maintain and hope to do as well with the wine in the barrels right now. We’ve got the new vintages, the 2008 reds are in the barrel, I’m heading out today to go work on those right now, and make that Vintage as well as the last vintage,” said Davis.

The Gold Medal Winners:

• Cinder Winery's Melanie Krause won gold and Best Rosé for her 2008 Cinder Rosé ($14.99);

• Veteran Winemaker Greg Koenig won big, taking a total of 9 medals, including gold for his Koenig Cuvee Amelia Reserve Syrah ($50) and the Bitner Vineyard's Riesling ($12) which he also makes.

• John Danielson of Vale Wine Co. also took gold for his first vintage 2008 Riesling ($14).

• Sawtooth winemaker Bill Murray won gold for his Reserve Cabernet ($24.99).