Snake River Valley

Yakima Valley

Idaho

Chardonnay

Tempranillo

Nebbiolo

Merlot

Malbec

Riesling

Syrah

Pinot Noir

Muscat Blanc

The winery was founded in 1987 in Idaho’s Snake River Valley. The estate vineyards surrounding Sawtooth Winery were once rich pastures owned by Charles Pintler. The Pintlers saw a greater potential in the steep, south sloping hills, and set out to grow wine grapes. Known for Riesling, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Merlot and Tempranillo, the winery, the Snake River Valley and Idaho have gained increasing national acclaim with winemaker Meredith Smith leading its program. The Sawtooth label is distinctly unique, depicting the jagged Sawtooth mountains and conveying the grandeur of Idaho\'s scenic wilderness and sporting. Sawtooth Winery is continually recognized for making high-quality distinctive wines of exceptional character and depth. The quality of the vineyard and winemaking is evident in every bottle of Sawtooth wine.

United States

Sawtooth Winery

Meredith Smith is the esteemed winemaker of both Sawtooth Winery, which she joined as a harvest helper in 2009, and, as of the 2016 harvest, Ste. Chapelle Winery, Idaho's largest and oldest continuous running winery.

Although Meredith Smith long enjoyed wine, it wasn't until she read a quote in 2006, "Pay attention to what you pay attention to," that she left behind careers in real estate development and accounting to pursue wine-making. "Almost all my books and magazines subscriptions were wine and viticulture-related, so I enrolled in the Washington State University viticulture program," she says.

She graduated with a professional viticulture certificate and jumped in during the Sawtooth 2009 harvest. Within months, she was promoted to Assistant Winemaker and in 2013, again as Associate Winemaker. In 2010 Meredith took on concurrent work as a viticulture technician for both Skyline and Sawtooth (Idaho's largest vineyards) to estimate yields and track vineyard statistics. Meredith says she felt fortunate to work in tandem with then-Sawtooth winemaker Bill Murray, who shared his knowledge and past Napa Valley experience with her. "I also feel privileged to work in the vineyard with so many different varieties and clones, gather facts on all these and see the results in the wines we make," she says.

Her favorite wine to make is Chardonnay for the challenge of standing out, given its popularity, many styles and critical subjectivity. She also enjoys making Rhone varietal wines. She finds the Snake River Valley AVA a promising region for Rhone varietals; she and many other area winemakers realize the potential and resulting wines. The Snake River Valley AVA is unique in that its different varietals have consistently resulted in great wine, she says. In addition to growing great fruit, Idahoans enjoy the living in a beautiful outdoor Mecca that offers numerous activities year round.

When Meredith isn't making wine, you'll find this mom and outdoors enthusiast skiing, mountain biking, trail running, hiking, backpacking and fly fishing. She also loves cooking, music, and dogs.

Meredith Smith

White

Classic Fly Chardonnay

Trout Series Tempranillo

Classic Fly Nebbiolo

Classic Fly Merlot

Classic Fly Malbec

Classic Fly Riesling

Trout Series Syrah

Patience and technique bring the best reward. Sawtooth wines reflect the Snake River Valley’s majestic mountains, rivers, and vineyards. 

Rosé

Opens with floral aromas that are accompanied with peach and honeysuckle, leading into a refreshingly crisp palate which is bursting with flavors of strawberry and stone fruit leaving a lingering finish. 

Classic Fly Pinot Noir Rosé

Aromas of raspberry and spice. Flavors of raspberry, cranberry, and cherry with hints of oak and vanilla.

Catch & Release Pinot Noir

Idaho

Sawtooth Winery

10 Wines from 9 Grape Varieties

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