The Idaho wine industry is fun to watch right now.

Gem State winemakers produced two best-of-class awards and 11 gold medals at this spring’s international Cascadia Wine Competition in Hood River, Ore.

The winemaking industry in Idaho dates back more than a century, and the modern industry goes back to 1976. Today, 51 wineries are spread up and down the state, using more than 1,300 acres of grapes.

While the modern Idaho wine industry began in 1976 with the launch of Ste. Chapelle, the industry was propelled forward in 2007, when the federal government approved the Snake River Valley as the state’s first American Viticultural Area. The industry further defined and refined itself with two more AVAs in the past two years: the Eagle Foothills and the Lewis-Clark Valley.

Talented winemakers have returned home, and there’s a growing maturity in the industry.

Here are a dozen delicious Idaho wines to get you started on your journey of discovering Idaho wine country. Ask for them at your favorite wine shop or contact the wineries directly.

Read More at source: Great Northwest Wine