Fall Release Newsletter 2024

Enthusiast Club Fall Release

     Reflecting on our 20-year journey, building Clearwater Canyon Cellars, conjures many vivid memories.  Of those, planting the first vines of Umiker Estate Vineyard with grandpa Ralph firmly marks the beginning in my mind.  It felt wild, like ripping the lid off a time capsule, planting vines on our family’s century-old farm, with the hope of relaunching the famed pre-prohibition era wine industry.  So eager to taste wine grown in this legendary region, we forged ahead, establishing Clearwater Canyon Cellars without a clear expectation of what might come of it.  Boom or bust, we were so curious to simply taste the wine, we figured if the winery failed to gain traction, we would just keep our ‘real jobs.’  We do not miss the struggles of the early years, crawling home wet, cold and tired every night from previous locations, bartering for use of forklifts belonging to neighboring businesses, basically doing all that we do now with archaic equipment or no equipment at all.  That said, those struggles made every sip forward so good.

     Life is more fun now that we are nestled in our estate winery, with a team we love, and equipment that makes better wine more efficiently.  We now have superior control over our winemaking process, while saving our bodies, time and brain space… and boy did we need more time and brain space this year!

     Negative Fahrenheit is rarely seen in the Lewis-Clark Valley, and never for 50+ straight hours.  As we watched the mercury fall and stay below zero, we realized that we would likely need to cut down the vines, regrow and retrain.  Extra time and care were taken this year to train our dear old vines up from the ground, and with more time and attention in the coming year, they will produce beautifully again.

     With Umiker Vineyard not producing grapes this year, we viewed the available space in the cellar as a blank canvas on which to play and experiment in ways we likely never would consider without this shove from Mother Nature.  ‘Umiker Party of Three’ (Karl, Coco & Stella) spent many fun-filled road trips touring and tasting new prospective vineyards this summer and are proud to welcome grapes from the esteemed Boushey Vineyard (Yakima Valley) and Kiona Vineyard (Red Mountain) into the cellar this year.  Both vineyards are 40+ years old and are owned and operated by families we have known since our graduate school days. Thankfully, Rock n’J, Phinny Hill, Verhey, Crawford and Roosevelt Ridge all fared well through the winter and produced outstanding grapes again this year.

     Thank you for taking time to enjoy the wines our team and growers produce!  We hope that all the little things we do every day translate to a truly special tasting experience.



Lewiston Fall Release at the Winery    

Enthusiast Club members have the option of attending a seated tasting November 14th – 17th, or a walk-about tasting December 5th – 8th.  New releases will be showcased and paired with light appetizers.  These events are complimentary for Enthusiast Club members (2 people per membership).  Guests are welcome at $10/person, which will be charged to the member’s card on file when reservations are made.
Reservations are required so our team can best serve you.
Call (208-816-4679) or email club@cccellars.com to make your reservation.

Seated Tasting

Tastings take 1-2 hours • Reserve a table for 1-8 people

Thursday, Nov. 14th – 3pm, 5:30pm, 8pm

Friday, Nov. 15th – 3pm, 5:30pm, 8pm

Saturday, Nov. 16th – 12:30pm, 3pm, 5:30pm

Sunday, Nov. 17th – 12:30pm, 3pm, 5:30pm

Walk-about Tasting

Tastings take 30 minutes to 2 hoursReservations available on the hour and half hour

Thursday, Dec. 5th – 3 – 8pm

Friday, Dec. 6th – 3 – 8pm

Saturday, Dec. 7th – 12- 5pm

Sunday, Dec. 8th – 12 – 5pm



Fall Release in Boise (New Location!)
Idaho State Museum
Thursday, November 21st

     Our Fall Release tasting event in Boise will take place at the Idaho State Museum, Thursday, November 21st as a walk-about tasting.  The Idaho State Museum is located across the street from the Boise Art Museum, at the Capitol Blvd. entrance to Julia Davis Park.

     Reservations are available on the hour and half-hour, beginning at 2pm with the last at 8pm.  Seating will be available but not assigned or reserved.  Light charcuterie will enhance your experience as you taste through our new releases.  Reservations are required, so we can give you the best experience!  This event is complimentary for Enthusiast Club members (2 people per membership).  Guests are welcome at $10/person, which will be charged to the member’s card-on-file when reservations are made.

RSVP by calling (208) 816-4679 or emailing club@cccellars.com to make your reservation.

Idaho State Museum – 610 Julia Davis Dr, Boise ID 83702


Fall allocations are now available!

Order your wine allocation by :
• Shopping online www.cccellars.com
• Emailing your order to club@cccellars.com
• Calling the winery 208-816-4679
• Attending a tasting event in Lewiston or Boise
• Visiting the tasting room Tuesday-Saturday, 12-5pm

Picking up wine?
  Wine selections can be made now for immediate pickup or held for a later pickup date. If you are planning to attend a tasting event, you can place your order now or wait to order at the event. Our tasting room is open Tuesday – Saturday, 12-5pm.

Shipping wine?
  Please feel free to call or email the winery to chat with us about the new releases. You can also visit www.cccellars.com to learn more about the wines and shop online. Don’t forget to log in to your account for access to members-only wines and discounts. Orders can be shipped ASAP or future ship dates can be scheduled. We ship to the following states: AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, TX, WA, WI & WY. 


New Fall Release Wines

Club members receive a 10% discount on purchases of 1-11 bottles and a 20% discount on case purchases (12+ bottles). Mixed cases are fun and encouraged! Free shipping on 6 or more bottles is another perk of Enthusiast Club membership.

2023 Viognier (available only to club members)
Viognier 100%
Yakima Valley / Crawford Vineyard
Notes:  Our first Viognier! Dry and stainless-steel fermented, this wine is a tropical fruit basket boasting aromas and flavors of pineapple, papaya, and lime. Juicy, ripe fruit flavors team up with high acidity and a viscous mouthfeel to create a long, tasty finish.
Club $19.80/btl, Club Case $17.60/btl


2023 Teammate
Syrah 58%, Cabernet Sauvignon 42%
Horse Heaven Hills / Phinny Hill Vineyard
Notes: A tribute to Dick Beightol, our dearest friend and esteemed founder of Phinny Hill Vineyard.  The extraordinary quality of Phinny Hill grapes is showcased with minimal impact from barrel aging (9 months).  In-glass aromas boast of cherry compote, fennel seed, mineral dust, cracked black peppercorns, and chocolate crème Brulé.  Flavors of vanilla bean, clove, and juicy black cherries along with rich, velvety tannins will delight your senses today and continue to develop beautifully for many years to come.
Non-Club $36/btl, Club $32.40/btl, Club Case $28.80/btl


2022 Estate Syrah
Syrah 92%, Merlot 6%, Cabernet franc 2%
Lewis-Clark Valley / Umiker Estate Vineyard
Notes: Sourced from both our 2006 and 2016 plantings of Umiker Estate Syrah.  Aromas ofplum sauce, cigar box, lilacs, nutmeg, and cinnamon sticks.  Juicy tannins linger on your tongue and mingle with flavors of caramel, coffee, and pomegranate.
Non-Club $32/btl, Club $28.80/btl, Club Case $25.60/btl


2022 Ralph E. Nichols (available only to club members)
Malbec 68%, Cabernet franc 22%, Merlot 6%, Cabernet Sauvignon 4%
Lewis-Clark Valley / Umiker Estate, Rock n’J Vineyard
Notes: Aromas of warm blackberry pie, worn leather, and autumn forest floor, dance around the glass.  Flavors of mocha, dried raspberry, clove, and roasted pecans marry with full, juicy tannins for an extended finish. Made in remembrance of Coco’s grandfather, Ralph E. Nichols.
Club $32.40/btl, Club Case $28.80/btl


2022 Umiker Estate Reserve (available only to club members)
Petit Verdot 31%, Cabernet Sauvignon 28%, Cabernet franc 27%, Merlot 14%
Lewis-Clark Valley / Umiker Estate Vineyard
Notes: Carefully curated from Umiker Estate Vineyard to showcase what we found most intriguing and delicious in 2022 from the vines we live among every day.  An elegant bouquet of dried red currants, desert sage, and cedar box.  Rich tannins soak into your tongue and coat your mouth.  Dark, broody fruit flavors comingle with leather and savory notes, and linger on your pallet.
Club $37.80/btl, Club Case $33.60/btl


2022 Coco’s Reserve Spice Market
Carmenère 62%, Cabernet Sauvignon 38%
Horse Heaven Hills / Phinny Hill Vineyard
Notes: In-glass aromas of cocoa-dusted raspberries, roasted poblano peppers, taco seasoning, and cologne, transition to flavors and lush tannins for a long, tasty finish.
Non-Club $38/btl, Club $34.20/btl, Club Case $30.40/btl


2022 The Wine Project
Petite Sirah 50%, Petit Verdot 50%
Columbia Valley / Phinny Hill, Roosevelt Ridge Vineyard
Lewis-Clark Valley / Umiker Estate
Notes: If you could taste the color purple, it might taste like this wine! Aromas of black pepper, plums, black currants, violets, and lilacs billow from the glass.  Flavors of dark chocolate, olives, and black cherries accentuate the grippy tannins and rich mouthfeel.
Non-Club $32/btl, Club $28.80/btl, Club Case $25.60/btl


2022 Coco’s Reserve Sagrantino (available only to club members)
Sagrantino 75%, Sangiovese 25%
Yakima Valley / Crawford Vineyard
Notes: The huge tannins of this captivating wine marry with flavors of dark chocolate, hoisin sauce, fig jam, and lavender oil.  Hold onto your seat when sipping this sensory packed wine!  Pair with rich proteins, and thank us later!
Club $34.20/btl, Club Case $30.40/btl