In 2016, the Lewis-Clark Valley was awarded an American Viticulture Area (AVA) designation. The AVA designation celebrates the exemplary qualities of the region’s wines, and honors it as a premier grape growing region. Further, this designation will serve as the impetus for growth within a burgeoning wine industry currently thriving in the Valley. Much like Walla Walla, WA in the nineties, the Lewis-Clark Valley is primed for growth fueled by the AVA designation.

RiverPointe Development is within a few miles of several award-winning wineries. Clearwater Canyon Cellars, Vine 46,  and Lindsay Creek Vineyards in Lewiston, Idaho, Basalt Cellars in Clarkston, Washington and Colter’s Creek Winery in Juliaetta, Idaho create wines made mostly from local grapes. Some of the wineries bring in grapes from the world-famous Walla Walla or Columbia Valley, about 90 miles west of here.

Colter’s Creek in Juliaetta, makes for an enjoyable afternoon or evening adventure. Sample local wines and microbrews in their tasting  room and wine bar and settle in with some tasty treats from their small plates menu and a glass of whatever hit your palate that day.

The owners of Clearwater Canyon Cellars, Karl and Coco, are fun to hang out with at the tasting room on a Saturday or Sunday. Coco will pour you a taste of wine and tell you about how it’s made from grapes grown on a slope that grew grapes 140 years ago that were made into award-winning wine!

In addition to having amazing varietals of wine, the Basalt Cellars tasting room is filled with fabulous wine-related accessories, t-shirts and other items that make great gifts.