The Idaho Wine Commission’s “Year of Tempranillo” declaration reflects that the Spanish red grape is now one of the top varieties grown in the state.

The commission plans to highlight Tempranillo grapes and wines throughout the year, including during Idaho Wine and Cider Month in June, at the commission’s annual Savor Idaho event June 8, during Jaialdi and on International Tempranillo Day Nov. 13.

Jaialdi is a Boise festival that celebrates old, new, local and international aspects of Basque culture, according to the festival’s website. This year’s event is scheduled July 29-Aug. 3. The festival was first held in 1987. It was again held in 1990 as part of the state’s centennial celebration and then at five-year intervals from 1995 through 2015. Jaialdi was not held in 2020 due to COVID-19, and planned replacements in 2021 and 2022 were canceled.

One growing trend among consumers is a shift toward wines that reflect a sense of place, Idaho Wine Commission executive director Moya Dolsby said in a news release.

“It’s fitting that Tempranillo grows so well in a state with the largest Basque population anywhere outside of Spain,” she said. The Year of Tempranillo “is a nod to Idaho’s Basque population, which continues to preserve and celebrate Basque culture, along with the Jaialdi festival returning.”

Tempranillo is considered native to Spain’s Rioja region. The grapes “thrive here in Idaho,” as the Snake River Valley wine region is at a latitude similar to Rioja and has high-elevation vineyards that are hot and dry, Dolsby said.

“Idaho Tempranillo is a great example of taking an Old World grape and seeing it flourish in a New World wine region where Idaho’s soil and climate give it new, distinctive qualities,” she said.

The number of wineries making Tempranillo and winning awards for it is growing, Nollie Haws, a Wine Commission spokesperson, told Capital Press. Nearly one-third of Idaho wineries make Tempranillo.

Round, mid-sized to large berries and dense bunches characterize Tempranillo.

“It’s a fun grape to grow,” said Jake Cragin, viticulturist and vineyard manager with Sawtooth and Skyline Vineyards in the Caldwell area. Tempranillo can be a bit weather sensitive initially but generally progresses well once established.

“You’ve got to manage your crop loads because it puts out a lot,” Cragin said. “Just on its own, it wants to over-crop itself.”

But management is fairly straightforward thanks to Tempranillo’s big fruit and leaves, he said.

“The winemakers really like it as well and at Sawtooth we offer it in a few different clones,” Cragin said. This year he is replacing an old block of Tempranillo with a new block based on a clone developed recently.

Tempranillo is “one of the red varieties in Idaho that has a lot of demand,” said Cragin, who has increased acreage since 2018. “If you are a winemaker, you definitely want to have Tempranillo in your portfolio.”

Ron Bitner of Bitner Vineyards said Tempranillo is susceptible to cold but is one of the first red grapes in the area to ripen.

He planted Tempranillo in the Caldwell-Marsing area after touring some vineyards with Basque friends in Spain. His first vintage was around 2011.

“It’s a lighter red. It’s a really nice red,” Bitner said.