THE HISTORY
Why Do We Call Ourselves Cinder?
Named after the volcanic CINDER that is beneath many of the vineyards we work with, CINDER Wines has been hailed as one of the West’s Best urban wineries by Sunset Magazine.
In 2006 we decided that the Snake River Valley AVA would be where our adventure would take root. Here are some short stories from our winemaker Melanie Krause about her early adventures and the story that sparked Cinder.
Enjoy!
Gardens, Cooking, and Skiing
Growing up in Boise, Idaho, Melanie Krause spent much of her time in the garden, the kitchen, or on the ski hill. Her parents, Gary and Liddy, cultivated a wide variety of homegrown, organic ingredients, including over 40 grape varieties. Melanie and her brothers worked alongside their parents, cooking and preserving much of their food. When she wasn’t cooking, Melanie was racing downhill with the Bogus Basin Ski Team. Skiing remains a passion, though she now enjoys snowboarding with her husband.
Talking to the Plants
At Washington State University, Melanie studied wheat genetics while also cycling for the school team and competing in triathlons. She graduated in 2000 with degrees in Biology and Spanish and met Joe, who would later become her husband.
Farmer’s Tan
After traveling in Asia, Melanie returned to the Northwest in 2001 to work as a vineyard technician for Stimson Lane. It was here that she learned key viticulture skills, realizing that great winemaking begins in the vineyard.
The Apprentice
During this time, Melanie began making wine with guidance from winemakers at Chateau Ste. Michelle and Northstar. She delved into the UC Davis curriculum and eventually became an enologist at Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Canoe Ridge Estate Winery. By 2003, she was promoted to Assistant Winemaker, helping craft 400,000 cases of wine annually.
Taking the Plunge
In 2006, Melanie and Joe moved back to Boise, where Joe worked as a chemist at Micron. Melanie started Krause Consulting, LLC, allowing her to explore Idaho’s vineyards and makesmall batches of Syrah and Viognier. Inspired by the potential of Idaho’s wines, she founded Cinder Winery, named after the volcanic remnants in the Snake River Valley.
Welcome to the Garden
In 2008, Melanie and Joe discovered an old warehouse in Garden City, just minutes from downtown Boise. Initially, they shared the space with other wineries but expanded as those wineries moved to their own locations. They fell in love with Garden City’s central location and the opportunity to build Cinder Winery just 10 minutes from their home.
Fast Forward
By 2016, after eight years of sharing space with wineries like Vale, Syringa, Coiled, and Telaya, Melanie and Joe became the sole owners of the building. Watching these wineries grow and thrive has been a rewarding part of their journey.
Visit Us
Today, Cinder Winery invites guests to visit their remodeled tasting room in Garden City, explore the stories behind each bottle, and enjoy the wines that reflect Melanie’s passion for this special place she calls home.
