Where the Wine Is with Michelle Leonardson

In the mid-2000s Sawtooth Winery winemaker Meredith Smith heard the empowering quote “pay attention to what you pay attention to” and thus began her inspiring journey into the Idaho wine industry. *This post contains affiliate links. In the twentieth episode of the Where the Wine Is podcast, Michelle interviews Smith along with Tasting Room Manager […]

Are you ready to visit Idaho’s wine country in the beautiful Snake River Valley AVA?  In this episode of Where the Wine Is, let yourself be whisked away to the wineries of Idaho’s southwestern wine region.  As a nearly lifelong Idahoan, your host Michelle Leonardson reveals her 5 star recommendations for where you should stay, […]

Is Idaho wine really on the rise? In this episode Michelle embarks on a fascinating discussion with Karen McMillin, Certified Specialist of Wine and Estate Brand Manager for Hayden Beverage Co.  Hear the distributor’s perspective on what’s current, what’s to come and what other industry professionals want to know about Idaho wine. You won’t […]

This is an episode like no other.  In early October 2017, we watched in horror as wildfires have ripped through beloved areas of Northern California.  Lives have been lost.  Entire neighborhoods and businesses, vineyards and wineries have burned to the ground displacing thousands.  California is in our heart and in this episode we address the […]

Katie Hestead is the Bar Manager and Wine Director of Richard’s, a stunning downtown Boise restaurant located at the Inn at 500 Capitol. In this episode she talks about the significant role food has played in her life and the impact wine has made in her soul. Related Links Richards The Inn at 500 […]

Your host Michelle Leonardson worked the room at the eighth annual Idaho Wine Competition, from the hustle and bustle of the staging area to the quiet judges’ panels in the main arena.  Go behind the scenes and learn what it is like to observe 152 wines and 9 ciders be awarded gold, silver and bronze […]

Kathryn House has worn many hats in her tenure in the wine industry.  She started her journey with Washington wine and notably made her mark at Betz Family Winery.  As life’s circumstances brought her to Idaho she has indelibly created her career path as a consultant, educator, and advocate! Related Links House of Wine @howofwine […]

Melanie Krause is the owner and head winemaker at Cinder Winery in Garden City, Idaho.  Her decision to take up residence in the small suburb of Boise began a movement of boutique wineries, craft breweries and cideries, which changed the landscape of what was once known as an undesirable part of town. By cultivating […]

If you like sparkling wine this is a conversation you won’t want to miss! Hailey Minder returns to the podcast to talk sparkling!  As owner and head winemaker at 3100 Cellars, Hailey excels at showcasing Idaho’s unique terroir while remaining dedicated to the Old World style of production.  Hailey and Michelle’s lively conversation covers the […]

The inspirational tale of Telaya Wine Co. begins when Earl and Carrie Sullivan were each at a crossroads in life.  They were giving their professional jobs so much of themselves that at the end of the day they had little time for each other or their two children.  After thoughtful consideration the duo decided to […]

In this episode we continue our exploration of Idaho food and wine pairings.  Learn about Idaho’s most widely grown red wine varietals and the key factors that go into pairing them with food.  These helpful tips and recommendations will inspire you in your food and wine pairing journey.  Experiment on your own and have fun! […]

In this episode we explore the magic that happens when you pair food with wine.  Learn about Idaho’s most widely grown white wine varietals and the key factors that go into pairing them with food.  These helpful tips and recommendations will inspire you in your food and wine pairing journey.  It’s going to be fun! […]

Idaho is an emerging wine region that has some tough obstacles to face. In this episode Michelle discusses four challenges that Idaho must respond to in order to compete in the global wine industry. Related Links 005: The Summer of Rosé with Will Wetmore of Hat Ranch Winery Contact Michelle [email protected] A Note From Michelle: […]

Hailey Minder is the assistant winemaker at Telaya Wine Co. and she is the owner and winemaker at 3100 Cellars, which is Idaho’s first sparkling only winery.  In this episode Hailey shares her journey into the world of wine while giving valuable tips for those interested in the pursuit of wine education. Winery Links 3100 […]

For the past three years your host Michelle Leonardson has attended Savor Idaho, the largest wine event in Idaho by invitation of the Idaho Wine Commission.  In turn, she has invited Boise-area photographer, Brittany Rosenthal, and together they have captured the event through pen and lens on the Where the Wine Is blog.  In this […]

Will Wetmore is the assistant winemaker for Hat Ranch Winery and Vale Wine Co.  He is also pioneering a new label under the Veer Wine Project, his solo enterprise.  In this episode Will and host Michelle discuss the deliciousness of rosé and the 2016 event that led to its popularity in Idaho.  They also address […]

Having been repeatedly asked, “Why should I care about Idaho wine?”  Michelle tackles the question with a discussion about the history of the United States wine industry and Idaho’s surprising role.  By the end of this episode you will know where the Idaho wine industry began, what lead to its rise and why it is […]

Moya Shatz Dolsby is the Executive Director of the Idaho Wine Commission and in this episode, she talks with host Michelle Leonardson about the growing Idaho wine industry. *This post contains affiliate links. After a college internship with the Washington Wine Industry, Moya moved up the ranks to become event coordinator for the prestigious Taste […]

Ken Rufe is the winemaker and owner of winery Cellar 616.  In this episode, he describes the relationship between wine and art and the influence it has on his winemaking style and where he showcases his wines. *This post contains affiliate links. Though the Cellar 616 production facility is not open to the public you […]

Von Potter is the winemaker and visionary of Potter Wines.  He has turned his hobby into his profession alongside Crystal, his partner in the wine biz (and in life).  Von has crafted traditional award-winning wines, though Potter Wines are best known for their Jalapeno Wine and best-selling Jalapeno Wine Lemonade. *This post contains affiliate links. […]

Welcome to the Where the Wine Is podcast! This episode will introduce your host, Michelle Leonardson, and tell you what to expect from the podcast. *This post contains affiliate links. Michelle changed her life in 2016 when she turned her love of wine into a career by becoming a Certified Specialist of Wine.  During this […]