A Wine Tasting Adventure in the Lewis Clark Valley

You know I love exploring wine country and recently, I got to experience the wineries in the Lewis-Clark Valley. 

This AVA straddles the Idaho Washington border and two rivers, the Snake, and the Clearwater, which have cut through the landscape to create amazing canyons. 

The AVA covers 479 miles with almost 100 acres of planted grapevines.

Map of Lewis Clark Valley AVA.
Photo credit: Wines NW
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The first vines were planted in 1872, and at one time there were so many grapevines that Clarkston, Washington (which is right across the river from Lewiston) was called Vineland.

How cool is that!? Unfortunately, all those original vines were taken out during prohibition, but thankfully, the vineyards have returned, and vintners are  making fabulous award-winning wines.

The towns of Lewiston and Clarkston in the Lewis Clark Valley.

During my visit, I stopped at Basalt Cellars, Clearwater Canyon Cellars, Colter’s Creek Winery, and Lindsay Creek Vineyards.

While I spent most of my time wine tasting, I did get a chance to check out a couple of the cultural and historical attractions which I will also include below.

Where to Stay When Wine Tasting in the Lewis-Clark Valley

On my trip to the Lewis-Clark Valley, I stayed at the Quality Inn & Suites Conference Center in Clarkston, Washington. It had been ages since I stayed at a Quality Inn & Suites and to be honest I wasn’t sure what to expect.

Located along the Snake River, I found the hotel to be very comfortable, the staff friendly, and their made-to-order breakfasts and river view a fantastic amenity.

Also, the hotel is close to Granite Lake Park, Basalt Cellars, Riverport Brewing, Roosters Waterfront Restaurant, a short drive to downtown Clarkston and Lewiston as well as Hell’s Canyon National Recreation Area.

The Quality Inn & Suites offers its guests:

  • Rooms with balconies and river views
  • Made-to-order breakfasts
  • Seasonal outdoor pool and hot tub
  • Pet-friendly rooms ($20 per night, per pet)
  • Onsite restaurant and a lounge with happy hour
  • Within walking distance of a brewery, winery, and waterfront restaurant
  • Free airport transportation
  • Steps away from Granite Lake Park and a driving range

My room was tastefully decorated and included a king bed, a sitting chair, desk, television, microwave, refrigerator, a bathroom, and a balcony.

My favorite feature soon became the private balcony with a view of the Snake River and Granite Lake Park. If it had been a warmer time of year, I would have spent every spare moment on the balcony taking in the view.

During my two days at the hotel, the room provided all the comforts I needed including a good night’s rest, a working space, and a hearty breakfast to start my day.

River view room at the Quality Inn & Suites in Clarkston, Idaho.

Room Styles

  • King Bed ($108 and up)
  • King Bed Jacuzzi ($123 and up)
  • King Bed Suite ($113 and up)
  • King Bed Suite River View ($123 and up)
  • One-room King Suite ($162 and up)
  • Two Queens ($108 and up)
  • One-room Two Queen Suite ($142 and up)

Speical Features of the Quality Inn & Suites

An important feature, particularly for summertime travel, is the seasonal outdoor pool and hot tub. This area also has a view of the Snake River and the landscaped park and trails. Since the pool was closed during my stay, I had assumed the hot tub was also. But one morning I heard the laughter of children outside and saw a parent and their kids enjoying the hot tub.

Pros and Cons of the Quality Inn & Suites

Pros:

  • Next to the river with river view rooms
  • A range of rooms for your group size and budget
  • Made-to-order breakfast
  • Restaurant and lounge onsite
  • A pool and hot tub
  • Pet-friendly rooms are $20 per day, per pet
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Free onsite parking
  • Free airport shuttle
  • Steps away from a park and driving range
  • Walking distance to a winery, brewery and restaurants

Cons:

  • In a less developed area off from the main part of town
  • Seasonal pool

Best Wineries in the Lewis Clark Valley

Basalt Cellars (Clarkston, Washington)

If you are staying at the Quality Inn & Suites, visiting your first winery, Basalt Cellars, is super easy as it is a short walk away.

This winery uses estate wines and Washington State grapes to produce a wide selections of wines, many of which are award-winning like the 2013 Rim Rock Red that won 90 points and Editors Choice in Wine Enthusiast.

Their 2012 Malbec won double gold and “best of varietal” at the Tri-Cities Wine Festival, and their 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon “Francine” won a gold medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

The winery tasting room is on the smaller side, but that makes for a very intimate experience. Who doesn’t want to ask a winemaker about making wines and owning a winery?

Depending on the time of year, you might get to chat with Rick and Lynn, the owners, and Holly and Leisha, their dedicated winery staff, who often manage the tasting room.

Rick has deep roots in the area, and if you sample the sauvignon blanc be sure to ask about the picture that shows Rick’s grandmother harvesting grapes. And, if there is time, ask about their special-built barrel they’ve named Francie.

Cool fact: Did you know wine will taste different depending on the type of glass you use?

Travel Tips: During the warmer months, tables and chairs are set outside. Throughout the year they also have wine tasting dinners with local restaurants and wine events.

Tasting room hours: Monday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Tasting fee: $10, if you buy a bottle, the fee is waived

Clearwater Canyon Cellars

The next three wineries are on the Idaho side. Clearwater Canyon Cellars won Idaho Winery of the year in 2015.

In 2017, two of their wines – 2014 Coco’s Reserve Malbec (made with grapes from the Lewis Clark AVA) and 2015 Carménère – made Andy Perdue’s “The Northwest’s Top 50 Wines” in The Seattle Times. The malbec also earned a ‘King of Platinum’ award and the carménère a double gold from Wine Press Northwest.

The winemakers, Karl and Coco, spearheaded getting the Lewis Clark Valley recognized as an AVA and their education and degrees, are quite impressive. The tasting room and winery are on Coco’s century-old family farm. From there, there are fantastic mountain and vineyard views.

During my visit, they invited me to join one of their wine club events (a perk of being a travel writer). The evening was very festive with wine and food stations, where I got to sample wines and meet locals.

One of my favorite wines, the Louis Delsol cabernet sauvignon, also had a great story. Delsol, a Frenchman known for planting the first grapes in the Lewis Clark Valley in 1872, opened his winery in the late 1800s, and by 1900 had 80 acres of vineyards!

Cool fact: Coco is “the first head female winemaker and the first Idaho winemaker to accumulate 10 platinum awards.”

Travel tip: There is a large patio next to the tasting room, and in the summer guests can lounge in tables and chairs and soak up the view.

Tasting room hours: Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Tasting fee: $10, if you buy a bottle, the fee is waived

Activity Option – Chief Timothy Park

A 14-minute drive west along HWY 12 from Clarkston will take you to Chief Timothy Park. This Washington State Park is an island in the Snake River and features campsites, a boat launch, trails, and a swimming area. Why am I listing this as a stop? Because of the art installment by Maya Lin called the “Listening Circle.”

To get to the circle, you’ll want to park your car in the furthest parking lot to the left of the entrance. From there, it’s around an 8 to 10-minute walk to the circle. The scenery from the trail is fantastic, so don’t forget your camera. Once you get to the circle, sit down, and listen to the sounds of the water and wind.

“The shape is inspired by a Nez Perce blessing ceremony performed here in spring 2005, at which the women were seated facing north, the men facing south, and the elders facing east, with no one allowed to pass behind them.” ~ Conflucence Project

Travel Tip: For any Washington State Park visit, you’ll need to pay a day use fee ($5) or if you have a Discover Pass hang that on your rearview mirror. If you plan to visit a lot of state parks in Washington, its a better deal to buy a $35 Discover Pass.

Travel tip: This is rattlesnake country, so be snake aware.

Colter’s Creek Winery

A 30-minute drive from Lewiston is Colter’s Creek Winery and Tasting Room in the small town of Juliaetta, Idaho, population 582.

The sleepy town has a handful of historic buildings, a recreational bike trail, and access to the creek. 

The main draw is the tasting room and restaurant inside the towns former 1902 pharmacy.

Their wines have won many accolades, like a gold medal in the Cascadia Wine Competition for their 2013 Arrow Rim Red, a silver medal in the NW Wine Competition for their 2013 Koos-Koos-Kia, and a gold medal in the Idaho Wine Competition for their 2016 Juliaetta Rose.

Since the tasting room also serves food, I suggest visiting Colter’s Creek around lunchtime. Do the wine tasting first, and then sit down for a bite to eat with your favorite glass of wine (or beer).

There is an excellent selection of locally sourced dishes, and some ingredients are grown in the gardens at the vineyard. I chose to have the beet salad with beets grown in garden, pork belly sliders, and their house fries. All were great, and I’d order again.

Cool fact: The winery is named after John Colter, who was on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Colter had some serious hunting skills and was considered to be one of the best hunters and scouts in the expedition, and even he scouted Colter’s Creek!

Tasting room hours: Thursday, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Restaurant hours: Thursday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Tasting fee: $5 (non-reimbursable)

Activity Option – Nez Perce Historical Park

After lunch, I suggest visiting the Nez Perce Historical Park, which is along the route back toward Lewiston (18-minutes from the winery). The park is free to visit and has a short video about the tribe and a small museum. I wasn’t allowed to take photos of the objects and artifacts, but you can see some of the items they have on display here.

Nez Perce National Historical Park visitor center in Idaho.

Alternative Road – Lapwai to Lindsey Creek Winery

You know I love off the beaten path roads, and I found one near the visitor center in the town of Lapwai.

This road is mostly gravel and takes around 12 minutes to get your next winery stop at Lindsay Creek Vineyards. 

The best thing about this drive is that you will feel like you are out in the middle of nowhere and most likely won’t see anyone. Plus the views at the top are stunning.

Your phone’s map app should find it, especially if you input the town of Lapwai and then get directions to the winery.

Basically, take Main Street, to get on Bever Canyon Road, follow that road up the hill to Bever Rd., then take a left on 480 Rd. and a right on Powers Ave. which goes right in front of the Lindsay Creek Vineyards.

Lindsay Creek Vineyards

As a girl who has farming in her roots, I love to see farms reinvent themselves, and that is precisely what fourth-generation farming brothers Art and Doug McIntosh did at Lindsay Creek Vineyards

In 2007, they planted their first vines, and now they have a large wine tasting and dining room that serves light fare with indoor and outdoor seating, a small banquet room, an outdoor garden area with a stage, and unobstructed views of the valley. 

Because of the location of the building and its view, I suggest this winery for late afternoon or early evening so you can take it all in, including the sunset.

Their wines have also won awards, such as  ‘Best of Class’ for their 2013 Merlot, a gold medal for their 2014 Sweet Riesling and a silver medal for the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. 

I’m a huge cab franc fan, and if you are too, be sure to sample theirs.

Cool fact: The farm is also known for their chickpeas, and if you order the hummus plate you’ll get to taste them.

Travel tip: During the summer they have live music events.

Tasting room hours: Friday, 1 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tasting fee: $5, if you buy a bottle, the fee is waived

Lewis Clark Valley Travel Tips

Closest Airport: Lewiston Airport (12-minute drive), Spokane International Airport (2-hour drive), Seattle International Airport (5.45-hour drive)

Hotel: There are hotels in Lewiston and Clarkston. During my visit, I stayed at the Quality Inn & Suites in Clarkston. The hotel is close to both towns, has rooms with river views and a fantastic complimentary made-to-order breakfast. The hotel is also within walking distance of Basalt Cellars, and right next door is Riverport Brewing.

Carless Options: The Lewis Clark Valley is beautiful, and you’ll want a car to explore the area.

Dining Travel Tip: You’ll have plenty of restaurants from both states to choose from. I can recommend Jollymore’s. I also heard good things about Saute on 6th, and Roosters Waterfront Restaurant and Hazel’s looked like a fun local restaurant.

38 thoughts on “A Wine Tasting Adventure in the Lewis Clark Valley”

  1. This is a great guide for those interested in visiting the wineries in this area. I don’t know much about Idaho or Lewis-Clark Valley, but you make it sound like a great place to visit. The idea of meeting some rattlesnakes along the way doesn’t sound very appealing, but if I treat myself with a glass of wine beforehand I could even handle that (lol).

    • Anda, I totally get that. I didn’t see one, but it was November when I went and I think by that time they are all cozied up in their nests. 🙂

  2. Wow this is amazingly useful information! Love all the helpful tips. You’ve got me ready to head there. Looks like a beautiful area too, thanks for the route suggestions!

  3. I don’t drink but I always find a road trip, beautiful sceneries and delicious cuisine intriguing! Thanks for taking me all the way to Idaho and share your experience with us! The sceneries of the parks and nature in your pictures are breathtaking @knycx.journeying

    • The scenery there is amazing with high desert plateaus, basaltic columns, and the river. The world is an amazing place!

  4. Such an interesting trade wine making, I always love to see behind the scenes if I can and of course chat with the winemaker. I love wine and this sounds like a visit for the list.

    • Aimee, Chatting with the winemaker is so much fun! It seems like I always learn something new I never knew before, and I always come away with a better appreciation for all the do, as it is hard work!

  5. I had no idea there was wine country in Idaho! I’ve never been to the Northwest (or anywhere west of Denver) but this looks like a perfect area to add to my Western US itinerary when I finally get there. Those sliders look absolutely delicious!

    • Grace, You will so love exploring the western US. It is a beautiful place with so many types of landscapes. I hope that makes it on your travel list soon!

    • Amanda, I didn’t either. The winemaker give me two glass to taste a wine out of – one a regular glass and one made for that style of wine – and it totally tasted different!

    • Amanda, I didn’t either. The winemaker gave me two glass to taste a wine out of – one a regular glass and one made for that style of wine – and it totally tasted different!

  6. For a wine fan I’ve suprisingly never visited a winery so this is definitely going on the 2018 to-do list! Lunch at Colter’s Creek and dinner at Lindsay Creek sounds like a perfect day!

  7. The Four Friends all grew up in the largest wine growing state in Australia. So we too appreciate a good wine tour.

    You have certainly covered a great itinerary for foodies and wannabe Sommeliers.

    Have you travelled a little further north across the Canadian border to the Okanagan region? We are sure you would like it too.

    Thanks for sharing. Keep travel blogging. Adventure is better shared with friends!

    • Anthony, I have not made it to the Okanagan yet, but it is an area that I really want to visit and it is very close to where I live. On a trip to North Vancouver and Langley, BC, I tasted two really good Okanagan wines and that made me want to go even more. 🙂

  8. Great post! I tend not to think of that part of America as being well-known when it comes to wine, so really cool to see that there are some awesome wineries in the area. That steak looks delicious also!

    • Katie, You might be surprised to know that Washington State is the second largest producer of wines in the US! And, Oregon has a very well known wine region, particularly for pinots. I hope you get to explore winey country on the West Coast soon!

    • Katie, You might be surprised to know that Washington State is the second largest producer of wines in the US! And, Oregon has a very well known wine region, particularly for pinots. I hope you get to explore wine country on the West Coast soon!

  9. Not sure what more impressive the wine or the food. I guess it does not matter as long as they complement each other. This looks like a great place to eat and drink that for sure

  10. Awesome post! Wow vines dating to 1872 in the US, that is old. Sucha fun experience you had (and bonuses for being a travel writer) and I like the side activities, especially Chief Timothy Park.

    • Evelyne, I was so shocked to learn how far back the vineyards went. Too bad they were all ripped out during Prohibition. Glad you found the post helpful. I’d love to camp at the park. It has such a great view.

  11. Great post! It’s very informative and well written. I love small towns and “not so popular” destination. I’ve never visited the Lewis-Clark Valley area but this makes it seem worth atleast a weekend trip. Thanks for sharing!

    • Laura, Thank you. 🙂 It is so worth a weekend trip, and I plan to return in the spring, so I’ll find out what outdoor activities are must dos!

  12. Wow this is a super guide! I love to visit winery one day and your itinerary looks so perhaps. The nature looks so amazing too. I would love to be there!

    • Chloe, Thanks so much for commenting! I hope you get to visit a winery soon and that the Lewis Clark Valley makes it on your travel list!

  13. This is an awesome guide. I love visiting wineries. I’m currently planning a wine trip in South Australia. I had no idea there was a wine region in the Lewis and Clark Valley. I’ll definitely have to check that out. It looks beautiful.

    • Mags, After the wine post Maria wrote, I’ve wanted to go to Australia even more. Looks like a great place to go wine tasting! Looking forward to reading about it. 🙂

  14. What a lovely wine tasting trip! I love that you went into Idaho, too, as I haven’t been there yet and hardly ever see any posts about it. My pick would be the Lindsay Creek Vineyards, just founded impressive. Nice pins! I need to spend more time in your neck of the woods.

    • Melody, Lindsay Creek has such a great view and plenty of space to chill and take it in. You’d love it!

  15. I hadn’t thought of the loss of vineyards during prohibition, but it makes every sense. I love that the grapes have been reinstated, and there seems to be a lot of Merlot available. Beautiful scenery too.

    • Bernadette, I hadn’t thought of that either. All the vines were ripped out and replaced with fruit trees. I’m glad they are coming back too, as I can taste from the wines that the soils are perfect for grapevines.

  16. Ah I just love wineries and exploring them 🙂 In Australia, we have a few wineries that have restaurants in them and think it is such a great idea. Those hamburgers and steak are so mouth watering. Wine Tasting Adventure in the Lewis Clark Valley sounds so amazing and I definitely want to add it to my USA bucketlist.

    • Mel, Wine tasting in Australia is on my bucket list. 🙂 You’ll love tasting wines in the Pacific Northwest. I know, I never tire of it. 🙂

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