This Winery Is Permanently Closed.
Winery Rating
Located at:
111 S 10th St, Boise, ID 83702
Reservation Required
Price Range For Tasting
SCORIA Vineyards is located in Caldwell, Idaho, within the Sunnyslope Wine District of the Snake River Valley. The family-owned winery is centered on estate-grown grapes, with an emphasis on structured red varieties that perform well in southwestern Idaho’s warm days, cool nights, and dry growing conditions.
The property includes an indoor tasting room near the estate vineyard, with views across the surrounding agricultural land toward the Owyhee Mountains. Visitors can choose from a standard tasting flight, a guided reservation tasting, or a more detailed experience featuring barrel or library selections when available.
SCORIA’s development began in 2014, when founder Sydney Weitz-Nederend planted Malbec and Petit Verdot on 20 acres of previously uncultivated family land. She was 20 years old and attending college at the time.
The property had been connected to her family’s agricultural operations for several generations. Her family’s roots in Idaho farming date to the arrival of French immigrant relatives during the 1940s, and the land had previously been used for crops other than wine grapes.
The winery operation followed the initial vineyard planting, with SCORIA beginning commercial production and establishing its public presence around 2016. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and additional varieties were later added as the estate vineyard developed.
The winery remains family owned, with Weitz-Nederend overseeing the vineyard, brand, and overall direction of the business. Production has grown to more than 3,000 cases annually, giving SCORIA an established position within Idaho’s expanding wine industry while maintaining a relatively focused estate model.
SCORIA has worked with experienced Idaho winemakers Earl Sullivan of Telaya Wine Co. and Greg Koenig. Both brought established regional experience to the project during its early development.
Sullivan is closely associated with Telaya Wine Co., one of Idaho’s better-known producers, while Koenig has worked in the state’s wine industry for several decades. Their involvement gave the young winery access to experienced production leadership as its estate vineyard and wine program were taking shape.
Weitz-Nederend remains responsible for the vineyard and winery’s broader direction, working with the winemaking team to determine how the estate fruit is handled. This collaborative structure allows the winery to maintain its focus on vineyard development while drawing on winemakers familiar with the Snake River Valley’s growing conditions.
SCORIA’s Caldwell tasting room is situated near the estate vineyard along Walker Lake Road. The surrounding landscape includes vineyard rows, working agricultural land, and open views toward the Owyhee Mountains.
The tasting area is indoors and has a contemporary, functional design. The property does not rely on elaborate architecture or formal landscaping to define the visit. Instead, the vineyard, agricultural surroundings, and mountain views provide the primary sense of place.
The setting reflects the winery’s farming background. Visitors remain close to the land where the grapes are grown, creating a direct connection between the tasting room and the estate vineyard.
SCORIA is best known for estate-grown red wines, particularly varieties associated with Bordeaux and the Rhône Valley. Malbec and Petit Verdot were the first grapes planted and remain important parts of the winery’s identity.
The portfolio also includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Mourvèdre, red blends, rosé, Riesling, and Grüner Veltliner, depending on the vintage and current release schedule.
The red wines generally emphasize ripe dark fruit, defined tannins, and a structured finish. Malbec may show blackberry, black plum, cocoa, and spice, while Petit Verdot can bring darker fruit, violet, graphite, and firm tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot broaden the estate’s Bordeaux-focused range.
The opportunity to taste varietal Petit Verdot is particularly useful for visitors who normally encounter the grape only as a component in red blends. SCORIA’s lineup allows guests to compare several red varieties grown under similar estate conditions.
The winery’s white and rosé releases provide a contrast to the more concentrated reds, often emphasizing fresh acidity, citrus, orchard fruit, and a cleaner finish.
The standard tasting flight includes five one-ounce pours for $8. Guests can select wines from the available list, making it possible to focus on red varieties or compare them with the winery’s white and rosé offerings.
Reservations are not required for a standard visit, although they may be useful during busy periods. A guided reservation tasting with a wine professional is also available at no additional charge, providing more context about the vineyard, individual varieties, and current releases.
The Barrel Room offers a more focused setting for visitors interested in barrel samples, library wines, or a quieter tasting format. Availability may depend on current releases and winery scheduling.
Charcuterie boards are available for $22 and can be paired with the tasting. Indoor seating is provided, and the surrounding vineyard and mountain views remain visible from the property.
The overall format is approachable and comparatively affordable. Visitors can stop for a basic flight without committing to a lengthy appointment, while those seeking more detail can arrange a guided or Barrel Room experience.
SCORIA’s wine club is called the Volcanic Vent Members allocation program. It is structured around three annual releases, distributed in April, July, and October.
Members choose allocations of four, six, or twelve bottles. Pickup is available at the Caldwell tasting room, and members may exchange bottles for other available estate wines. This customization is useful for members who prefer certain varieties or want greater control over each allocation.
Membership provides access to the winery’s estate releases and placement on the waitlist for the Volcanic Vent Dinner. The dinner is designed as a limited member event rather than a standard public tasting experience.
The club’s main value is flexibility. Members can choose an allocation size based on their purchasing needs and adjust the wines included when inventory allows. The three-release schedule also keeps the annual commitment manageable compared with clubs that ship or allocate wine more frequently.
SCORIA is part of the Snake River Valley AVA, which covers portions of southwestern Idaho and eastern Oregon. The region has a high-desert climate marked by warm summer days, low humidity, limited rainfall, and substantial temperature changes between day and night.
These conditions can support full ripening while helping grapes retain acidity. The dry climate also reduces some forms of disease pressure, although winter freezes and short growing seasons remain important considerations for vineyard management.
The Sunnyslope area west of Boise has become one of Idaho’s main wine tourism centers. Wineries are distributed among farms, orchards, vineyards, and rural roads rather than concentrated in a single commercial district.
SCORIA fits into the region through its estate focus and its commitment to red varieties such as Malbec and Petit Verdot. These plantings show how Snake River Valley producers continue to evaluate grapes beyond the region’s more familiar Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Riesling.
SCORIA Vineyards is located at 12639 Walker Lake Road in Caldwell, Idaho.
Reservations are not required for standard tastings, although appointments are recommended for guided tastings and specialized Barrel Room experiences. Seating is primarily indoors.
The standard five-wine flight is $8. Charcuterie boards are available for $22. Prices, hours, and experience availability should be confirmed directly with the winery before visiting.
The property offers views of the estate vineyard, surrounding farmland, and the Owyhee Mountains. Its location also makes it practical to include as part of a broader day along the Sunnyslope Wine Trail.
SCORIA Vineyards offers a focused look at estate-grown red wine in Idaho’s Snake River Valley. Its strongest points are the multigenerational agricultural setting, accessible tasting prices, varied red wine portfolio, and customizable club structure.
The winery is particularly relevant for visitors interested in Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and the continued development of the Sunnyslope Wine District. The combination of estate fruit, experienced winemaking support, and a straightforward visitor experience provides a useful introduction to the region.