Coeur d'Alene Cellars - Live Love Drink Travel

Last November we had the pleasure of visiting Coeur d'Alene Cellars, a great boutique winery in you guessed it, Coeur d'Alene Idaho. It's been almost a a year, and I can't believe we haven't mentioned it yet on our blog, but we were waiting for Sippin' September. Coeur d'Alene Cellars happens to be the only non-Arizona winery where we are members.

We went to Coeur d'Alene for Taunya's sister's birthday last November. While were were there, we discovered that there are now some tasting rooms in the resort town. We actually learned to drink wine while living just over the border in Spokane, Washington. At the time there weren't any boutique wineries in the area. A lot has changed since we left in 2007.

We visited two tasting rooms with the family. The first, Castaway Cellars, wasn't very memorable and service was slow. However, we fell in love with Coeur d'Alene Cellars. They source their grapes from the wine growing regions in Washington, and we have always had a certain affinity for Washington State reds.

Coeur d'Alene Cellars opened back in 2002 and is a self described creative winery that produces around 3000 cases a year. They have an amazing facility, and during or visit their storage rooms doubled as a tasting room for social distancing. The building exterior is very classy, the entire winery is very welcoming. Their wine is pretty good too. 😉

I don't say this very often, but all of the reds in our tasting flight were really good. I didn't find anything I didn't like. This time it was Taunya who said we needed to join their wine club. Usually I am the one that does that! Even though we have to have our wine shipped to Arizona, we have no regrets.

It's really hard for me to pick a favorite. At the top of my list is the “Mo” Mourvèdre, the Granache, the Malbec and their 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon. Our last shipment, which we received just in time to write this article, contained a Cabernet Sauvignon called "Crevasse" which I am super excited to try.

Co-owner and founder Kimber Gates once lived in Besancon France and according to their website the Burgundy region was her inspiration for the “fine art of wine”. Owner Sarah Gates also functions as Coeur d'Alene artist. She uses her 40+ years of experience with watercolors to make the most amazing labels for their wine. Every one is unique, the color pallet and subject choices not only fit the wines themselves, but just seem right for the Pacific Northwest in general.

Coeur d'Alene Cellars also serves small plates and appetizers. We loved our first visit so much we actually came back the next day for a light lunch. The wine is amazing, the food is good, and the staff is so friendly. Next time you visit the area you should definitely stop in.

Living, loving, drinking, and traveling through life.

— Derek