There’s more to Sunnyslope than stunning views and world class wines. It’s a community of growers, makers and dreamers inviting you to experience Idaho’s Wine Country in a whole new way. Whether you’re planning your first tasting or your next getaway, the Sunnyslope Wine Trail offers more than just a checklist. It’s a journey through flavors, stories and the warm hospitality of the people who make this place so special.
We’re dedicating this journal entry to a small sample of wineries and tasting rooms that are in the Snake River Valley AVA and part of our AgVenture Trail brochure. This “tour” includes a number of businesses in and near Caldwell that are putting our city on the map! With most of these destinations being within an hour or less from Meridian, it’s a perfect way to spend a crisp, fall day in Idaho’s wine country.
Here’s an itinerary for those of you who like the work done for you (we get it, and we got you)! We like the “easy button” too. Check each winery’s fall schedule for live music events. Typically, Friday and Saturday afternoons are your best bet. Dunning Estates and Williamson Orchards + Vineyards are only five minutes away from each other! Plan on spending some time at both. They are both worth camping out at for a while. After driving around Sunnyslope and taking in the views, head to Downtown Caldwell and finish your evening at Kindred by the Creek. Their hand-tossed, wood-fired pizzas are perfect when paired with one of their signature wines.
Dunning Estates Winery + Tasting Room
Vibes | Views | Vino
At Dunning Estates, they’re all about keeping it real—real roots, real wine, and real community. Their dream is to give guests a true farm-to-glass experience, where everything feels a little more connected to the land—and a whole lot more fun! Their land sits high above the stunning Snake River Valley and has been a working piece of local history for generations. When they started dreaming big, they didn’t bulldoze the past—they embraced it. They took the old milking parlor (yep, dirt floors and Holsteins included) and turned it into a beautifully rustic tasting room full of western charm.
Born and raised certified country kids, the current Dunning family members that own and operate the estate bought a large farm near Lizard Butte in 2020 and have been working the land and finding ways to show their passion for farmland by welcoming the public into their world.
Their local mercantile is located right outside the tasting room doors and is open weekends 12-6pm through fall. The Slope Mercantile was crafted with a lot of love…and even more grit. Originally a 1978 rusted out horse trailer, they transformed her into a whimsical wagon on fresh wheels! They have a rotating supply of raw local honey, no-spray organic produce, grab-and-go flower bouquets, hand-crafted gifts, vintage home goods and pastured eggs, to name a few.
Kick off your boots and stay for the pour!
Kindred by the Creek
Pizza on the Patio
Boasting Sunnyslope’s own Kindred Vineyard wines, Kindred by the creek is a perfect extension of the winery just a few minutes away. Nestled on an idyllic corner of meandering Indian Creek in the heart of Downtown, this tasting room offers more than just pours of their finest.
Their week’s itinerary is always packed full of live music, dancing, seasonal cocktails, cooking classes and happy hours. And, yes, hand-tossed pizzas! Just imagine a crisp, wood-fired crust layered with creamy cheeses, local meats and fresh produce to pair exquisitely with your wine of choice. Better yet, ask the experts! They can always recommend a pairing that suits any palate.
Williamson Orchards + Vineyards
U-Pick Produce, Catered Feasts and Wine Tasting Under the Trees
The farm was first homesteaded in 1909 and these pioneers set a precedent for hard work, ingenuity and perseverance. The Williamsons were some of the first to plant fruit trees in the Sunnyslope valley. As the family grew, so did the business. Four generations of Williamsons have worked the farm. They feel it’s important to practice good business while serving as stewards of the land and endeavor to use natural and sustainable growing practices. The original homestead of 80 acres expanded up to 700 acres at one time, and currently consists of 200 acres of vineyards, orchards and row crops.
They planted their first vineyards in 1998 and released their first vintage in 2001. The vineyard has more than doubled from the original 25 acres of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier. They now manage 65 acres and grow 16 grape varietals and produce 20 different labels of delicious and award-winning wines. Visit their tasting room to experience some of the great wine being produced in Idaho.
Koenig Distillery + Orchards
Spirits | Community | Scenery
Koenig Distillery began with a vision—one inspired by Old World traditions and brought to life in the heart of Idaho’s Sunnyslope wine region. The area was already producing some of the state’s finest fruit so, naturally, in 1995, The Koenig Brothers planted the first orchard and vineyard on their newly acquired farm. This property became the foundation for what would become Koenig Distillery. By 1999, the distillery was officially established and the first fruit brandies were being crafted using the original copper still.
In 2024, the Distillery proudly celebrated 25 years since it first opened its doors and released the first bottles of brandy. Koenig continues to evolve and expand, with a new tequila brand in development and set to launch soon.
To say that Koenig Distillery is special is an understatement. As you enter the front gate, you are met with perfectly manicured rows of fruit trees followed by their breath-taking buildings with Tuscan-inspired architecture boasting white-washed stucco and red roofs.
Take a self-guided walking tour of the grounds and find yourself discovering some of the best views Sunnyslope has to offer. Plan ahead and check out their events calendar featuring evenings with local musicians, food trucks and curated cocktails.
SEE YOU ON SUNNYSLOPE!
