Hat Ranch Winery

The wine from Hat Ranch is the best! Idaho wine is discussed on the Sunset magazine blog.

This adorable winery boasts a great $ 5 tasting of 5 delicious wines. I enjoyed each wine I tasted here. Although it wasn’t my favorite of the bunch, their Chardonnay was especially unique. They had a platter of complimentary foods, and they waive your tasting fee if you buy a bottle. Not to mention the service is great and the environment is buzzing with energy!

I have been here a few times and have never had a bad experience. Their tasting room is quaint and the owners and others who work there all have extensive knowledge of their wines. Any wine you try from either their Hat Ranch or Vale label are awesome in their own ways. This is my top winery in the Snake River Valley. A definite must stop for your wine tour.

From the minute you pull up you know you’ve come to a special place. The wine is amazing and the hospitality is just as awesome. Although small, the wines are big and bold. You won’t regret you stopped here.

Awesome wine, friendly owners. Highly recommend these folks as a must stop in your wine tour.

Tried this place back when they were totally new to the area, or at least their tasting room was, and the experience was awful. $ 5 for three 1-​oz. tastes and they were all mediocre.
We finally tried it again and thank goodness we did! They have an extensive list, a super-​classy and informative pourer, and all of their wines were way, way, way above par. I was seriously impressed and, as much as I hate to pay $ 20+ for a bottle of wine, their wine is totally worth it.
Try the wine here, it might seriously be some of the best in the Nampa /​Caldwell /​Marsing area.

Experienced many wineries from the willamette valley in Oregon to Boise, where my girlfriend and I just relocated to. This small and young winery is our favorite, they are very personable and educated about the wine they produce. We have been to the winery twice in less than a month to pick-​up our new favorite wine. Hat Ranch has produced a Tempranillo, which is a grape native to Spain. The Tempranillo wine they have produced is to die for! Words cant describe this full-​bodied red wine, you have to go experience it for yourself. They also have a fantastic red blend, riesling, and chardonnay. Again this is an excellent winery that is located by several other wineries so swing on in and check them out.

Perhaps our favorite of all wineries visited on a recent afternoon of exploring the Sunnyslope Wine Trail. Would have been unknown to us but not for the gentleman (in every sense) pouring wine at nearby Bitner Winery recommending Hat Ranch for both their wine and for local art displayed on their tasting room walls. So pleased to have discovered this, we pass along the same recommendation — ‘GO’.
THE TASTING ROOM
Located on the site of their vineyard, he tasting room us open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from roughly noon to 5p. All of the art on the cheery and bright tasting room walls is by local artists and for sale.
THE DRILL
Nominal fee for tasting ($ 5) for pours in quality stemware. On the day of our visit they were pouring four wines. Fee is refunded with any purchase.
OWNER INVOLVEMENT
A thing that makes this kind of tasting room at a small winery delightful is most often the people pouring the wine are the winery owners or wine maker, which are sometimes one in the same, who are so much fun to talk to. As in when you ask «why did you choose this site» or «why did you decide on stainless fermentation for your Chardonnay» they can answer the questions enthusiastically.
THE WINES
A fledgling effort with the tasting room having opened in 2011, there are currently three acres planted to vines on site with more being added each year. Until the estate grown levels are where needed, grapes come from other growers.
In context of Idaho, standouts for us here that we purchased were:
* 2011 Chardonnay — stainless steel fermented, crisp and fruit forward. Not typically fans of this varietal, sacrilege I know but we don’t enjoy the «pick toothpicks out of your teeth after drinking» heavily oaked style of California vintners, we thought this one was lovely. When we asked the owner why they decided on stainless fermentation, she said when they tasted the juice it was so perfect a representation of the varietal that they wanted to let it shine in the same way Williamson Orchards apple cider shines in representing the apples from which it is pressed. Great analogy and great wine making decision for their 2011 Chardonnay.
* 2012 Hat Trick Red — a blend of Malbec /​Merlot /​Syrah. On in the second day of release when we visited, we thought this was just a little tight so will benefit from time in bottle before drinking. But great flavors, good tannins and we can see why the 2011 bottling sold out. As for the name, in sports a hat trick is made of three goals and note the blend in this wine. Clever!
We also tasted the 2012 Riesling. Our favorite white wine varietal, it is wonderful to see more Western vintners making Riesling. We thought this was interesting but not quite there for acidity. Also sampled their Tempranillo which had a great nose but was just a little leathery for our palates.
WHY CALDWELL ID FOR A NEW WINERY?
We asked that question given there are so many wine regions in the US, some of which might provide easier growing conditions as well as more «panache» on a label than an Idaho origination. The owner told us they chose Southwestern Idaho because they think it has the best mix of terroir and community of any in the West. From a business perspective, I imagine the costs to enter the market with a winery in this emerging region is probably lower than others.
ACCESSIBILITY
Tasting room is level in and throughout. If you have trouble navigating deep gravel parking lots they have a firm surface apron alongside the building and you can parallel park there to get out on to the firm surface. It has been a requirement of US Civil Rights law (ADA) since 1990 that equal access be provided but you’d be astounded at how tasting rooms don’t. Nice that they do here. Good for business too as it allows all people in the door to buy wine.
TASTING FEES
A controversial topic in the Idaho wine country currently, as a long time wino, ummm. oenophile, I strongly support reasonable fees like this one that are refunded with purchase. Wineries have increased costs associated with on site tasting (like labor and quality stemware) to recoup. A small fee also creates a barrier to entry for those of the «YO DUDE» set who mistake winery tasting rooms for free bars. On the other hand, when fees are too high and not refunded, as in places in Napa and even in the Williamette region now where tastings can be $ 20 with no refund absent a substantial (as in half case) purchase, it discourages participation by all but those people of deeper pockets. Sometimes even we who can afford those fees are turned off by the apparent avarice and by policies that discourage newbie wine drinkers from coming in the door. Thumbs up to Hat Ranch for having low fees and a fair refund policy. Everybody benefits.
GUEST SUITE
One on site for rent. Contact the winery.