Coming Up: A Special Wine Weekend

I am departing from my normal reviews of Idaho wineries to write about two upcoming (amazing-sounding) events that will be happening on the same weekend -- one on Friday, Sept. 16, and one on Saturday, Sept. 17, so if you have the time, the money and the stamina, you could go to both! (Wish I could, but I have to work at my other, non-Idaho Wine Girl-related job to pay the rent).

 An Evening On the Bayou

The interior of Snyder Winery
Photo by Meg McKenzie

The first event, on Friday the 16th, is called "An Evening On The Bayou," and no, it isn't in the Big Easy. It's at the (gorgeous) Snyder Winery in Buhl, and (for whatever reason) from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., the winery is hosting a celebration of Cajun cuisine, music and dancing. The menu will include fresh seafood (prawns, oysters, crawfish, clams and mussels) and traditional Cajun delicacies like jambalaya and andouille sausage, as well as a Creole dessert buffet). There will be Zydeco music and dancing by the fire pit, and of course some new wine releases from the winery, including their Soft Merlot.

Snyder's Winery in Buhl
Photo by Meg Mckenzie

Tickets are $45, and you can get them by calling Russ and Claudia Snyder at (208) 543-6938. The winery is located at 4060 N. 1200 E., in Buhl. (Go to www.snyderwinery.com for more info, such as directions). I just visited Snyder, along with some other Twin Falls area wineries. Look for my review to be posted within the next several weeks, but in the meantime, I can attest to the quality of their wines -- and the loveliness of their site.

Eagle Food & Wine Festival

 

The other event, on Saturday, the 17th, is the Eagle Food & Wine Festival. Now in its fifth year, it will be held at the BanBury Golf Club off of Eagle Road between Chinden Boulevard and State Street (just northwest of Boise), and will feature a whole bunch of Idaho wines, which will be paired with tastes from different area restaurants.

Mary May, the chairwoman of the event, has put a great deal of effort into selecting just the right food-and-drink combinations, and there will be live jazz from Alone Together, so it should be a lot of fun. The fest takes place Saturday, Sept. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Tickets are $40 and available at BanBury, Syringa Winery, The Porterhouse Restaurant, and at 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Eagle Food Bank and Idaho Domestic Bird Rescue & Sanctuary.

The invited wineries are: 3 Horse Ranch, Cold Springs Winery, Fraser Vineyard, Huston Vineyards, Indian Creek Winery, Periple, Syringa Winery, Vale Wine Co., Williamson Orchards & Vineyards and Wood River Cellars.

The restaurants include Bardenay, Bella Aquila, Ono Hawaiian Cafe, The Porterhouse, Murphy's, River Rock and Willowcreek Grill. For tickets and info, go to www.eaglefoodandwinefestival.com.