By DOMINIQUE WALD dwald@dnews.com
LEWISTON — Wine isn’t something that pops into mind when most people think of Idaho.
Idaho filmmaker Drew Allen hopes to change that with his new documentary, “Idaho Wine, from Bud to Taste Bud,” which premieres Friday in conjunction with the opening of the “In The Vineyard” Plein Air Exhibition at the Lewis-Clark State College Center for Arts & History.
The film explores the past, present and future state of the Idaho wine industry while also uncovering the history of Idaho wine. Allen interviewed winemakers from throughout the state, including Clearwater Canyon Cellars in Lewiston.
Allen started talking to winemakers five years ago and was inspired to make the film after years of growing up in the wine industry in Nampa. He calls this film his “passion project.”
“We just wanted to go out and make this film for ourselves,” Allen said. “The wine industry is up and coming in Idaho.”
Allen said Idaho’s location and climate make it a perfect place for a booming wine industry. Idaho’s weather is similar to that of Walla Walla and the state is on the same parallel as France. Allen also mentioned the lake sediment and rich volcanic soil from what used to Lake Idaho is ideal for growing grapes.
There’s no shortage of obstacles for those who work in the wine industry — being at the mercy of Mother Nature calls for some unexpected hardships, Allen said.
“There’s a lot of risk. You might enter a season that isn’t suitable for growing grapes, and that can be a problem,” Allen said. “You make the best out of it and hope you can produce good wine.”
Allen hopes his documentary educates audience members about the hard work that goes into making wine and inspires them to start buying local wines.
“We want to support our local hard workers,” he said. “That’s one of the main themes – there’s a ton of work that goes into it.”
The documentary is available to order or digitally download at www.idahowinedocumentary.com.
If You Go What: Premiere of “Idaho Wine, from Bud to Taste Bud” When: 7 p.m. Friday COST: Free Where: LCSC Center for Arts & History Main Gallery, 415 Main St., Lewiston
