Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Idaho’s Wine Country

Since the first time I visited Ste. Chapelle, I've been captivated by the beautiful views of the Sunnyslope you can see from the hillside next to their tasting room. Take those in during their "The Best Pairing" event on Saturday and Sunday.  With seatings at 12:30 and 2:30 each afternoon, you'll get a chance to enjoy a pre-Valentine's Date with flights of your favorite Ste. Chapelle wines paired with chocolates.  Addam Chavarria will provide a romantic live soundtrack to your visit.  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance HERE!

With unseasonably warm temperatures in the lower 50s, there's no better place to enjoy a glass of wine, chocolates and cheese than the beautiful patio at Bitner Vineyards.  They'll be pouring five of their wines and pairing them with local chocolates from Weiser Classic Candy Company and gourmet cheeses.  Finish the day off with a keepsake "Be Mine" photo at the winery.  Tickets are $5 for wine club members and $10 for non-members. The tasting is available Friday-Sunday.

Fujishin is one of the first wineries you'll see as you drive  onto the Sunnyslope Wine Trail and one of our favorites. They offer a complimentary wine and fudge tasting on Saturday and Sunday. You get to pick four of their amazing wines and they'll slide you a piece of fudge that pairs perfectly with the ones you picked. The tasting room will be open from 12-6 p.m. on Wine & Chocolate weekend.  We always love staying for an extra glass and chatting with their friendly staff!

After our first visit to Hells Canyon & Zhoo Zhoo Wineries, this quickly became our favorite stop on the wine trail.  The two wineries share space in an incredibly cozy former bed and breakfast.  When you walk in, you get your own Zhoo Zhoo wine glass to take home and a chance to sample wines with the Zhoo Zhoo girls. Take a walk through the dining room that's been converted into the wine shop and head downstairs to the library to taste the Hells Canyon wines.  The pours here are very generous, so you'll have the opportunity to spend some time in front of the fireplace while you sip on them! For $10 you get to try the wines and can help yourself to some sweet treats. Their Valentine's Day Open House runs Friday-Sunday, 12-5 p.m.

Huston has something a little different planned for each day of Wine & Chocolate weekend.  On Friday, when you come by for your tasting you'll get to pair them with chocolate dipped strawberries.  Saturday, local marshmallow makers, Fireside Mallow Co will stop by with deliciously melty s'mores made with their homemade marshmallows.  Wrap up the weekend on Sunday with Dream Chocolate samples when you purchase your tasting.  Tasting fee is $5, but you get that money back if you decide to buy a bottle during your visit!

What good wine lover doesn't love making crafts from corks? Stop by Indian Creek's Kuna tasting room Saturday or Sunday to make your own "Wino Lovebug" craft, shop vendors, live music and their new Petit Verdot and Pink Peony releases.  Your tasting fee is $10 and not only gets your the wine pours, but a collectable heart-art wine glass to take home and a free photo strip from Photo Book Boise. The Valentine's Bazaar runs 12-5 p.m. each day.

We stopped at Parma Ridge for the first time last year and had a blast with their staff during our tasting.  Stop by Friday (12-9 p.m.,) Saturday (12-5 p.m.) or Sunday (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) to taste four red wines with specialty chocolates.   Tastings are $8, but you'll get five of that fee back if you purchase a bottle during your visit. Want to stay longer? They're having a four course "Sweetheart Dinner" after regular business hours on Sunday. Tickets are $60 a person. For more on how to secure your tickets click HERE.

Sawtooth is sitting Wine & Chocolate weekend out this year as they prepare to move to their new location just below Ste. Chapelle. Spend some time with them after Valentine's Day.  Their grand opening weekend is February 17-18 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.  During the party, you'll receive a complimentary glass of bubbly!

Williamson Orchards will be pouring five of their own delicious wines Friday-Sunday as part of Wine & Chocolate weekend.  The tasting fee is $10 and includes your wine tasting, chocolates from Weiser Classic Candy Company, cheeses from Ballard Family Dairy and gourmet truffle popcorn.  Don't want to forget your romantic visit to the Sunnyslope? Jump in their free photo booth for your keepsake photos.  The winery opens at 12 p.m. each day of Wine & Chocolate Weekend!

This is one stop we must add to our Valentine's Day tour.  We haven't made it out to Vizcaya yet! They're teaming up with Downtown Boise favorite, The Chocolat Bar, for their wine and chocolate celebration.  The tasting room is open February 9-11 from 12-6 p.m.