sierra foothill appellation to eagle foothill appellation
Our Story
…The FIRST winery to move from California to Idaho…
This is exciting news! The Henkel and Keller family have moved to Eagle Idaho and have been in the process of moving the winery and tasting room since early 2021. Wine grapes have been grown in the Boise area for over 50 years. Most grapes grown here are in the Snake River Valley, which is just one of the bread baskets of the state. We are now sourcing grapes here in the Eagle Foothills.
In 2020, our family purchased a ten-acre parcel in the hills above Boise, in the Eagle Foothills American Viticultural Area. Our decision to move Mineral Wines to the Gem State was a difficult one... We are the first winery to move to Idaho from California, and the move has been our greatest challenge. We began making Idaho wines in 2021, with Syrah and Malbec. In 2022, we began making Cabernet Sauvignon, Meritage, Tempranillo, and Petit Verdot. We also made our favorite California wines that year.
We will become the 10th winery within a half-hour's drive of nearly 700,000 residents. Wineries here in Idaho are increasing in size and number, and we look forward to contributing to grape and wine culture.
…About the Winemaker…
Brett Keller met his future wife Andrea Henkel in 1993 while working at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley. Brett was not much of a wine drinker back then but Andrea cured him of that, introducing him to red wine. Andrea’s family had just planted a small vineyard, and after Brett and Andrea were married in 1995 Brett decided to forgo his college studies for Hospitality Management and changed majors to Enology and Viticulture. As he worked his way through college, Brett continued to work as a sommelier and or manager at several upscale restaurants while attending Fresno State University, earning his degree in Viticulture and Enology in 2003. Upon moving back home to the small goldrush town of Angels Camp Brett assumed management of the family’s 4 acre Cherokee Creek Vineyard, which originally grew exclusively Merlot Grapes. When a movie with an unmentionable name decimated demand for Merlot grapes Brett grafted three acres of the vineyard to Roussanne, Viognier, and the specialty of the vineyard, Petite Sirah. These are the grapes that now define the Mineral Wines Brand!
…Humble beginnings…
We are not quite up and running yet. We are thinking, perhaps this summer. Currently, we are in the environmental stage of our wastewater designs after those are done, we start building.
…A unique philosophy of winemaking…
We make no less than a dozen different varieties, all small production between 40 and 150 cases of each. You will hear him say “I did not spend six years in college to only master a few wines… I worked to master EVERY wine I could make!”
Brett’s style of winemaking focuses on two things: First, EVERY wine must taste as the variety should. Therefore each wine has to be made in a way that the varietal character speaks loudly. Barbera should NOT taste like Zinfandel. This means that every wine must be made individually. Yeasts, barrels and different vineyards are selected for each variety according to what it will do for the characters of the wine. Many vintners just do not understand that to give wines their individual identity you cannot make them the same way with the same barrels, yeasts, and cellar treatment.
…The Minerals…
NO MINERALS HARMED in the making of these wines! We are asked all the time if the minerals give some sort of mysterious power to the wines. Nope. We make wine with Science. Nothing proves that crystals have some sort of power to them. But, hey, who are we to deny the beliefs of others? Our labels compose a beautiful theme that defines our brand. Our collection of Minerals is known throughout the world for its museum quality, and the branding and marketing of the collection is unique and successful in helping us to grow. After all… Who in their right mind would put ‘rocks’ on their labels?!
…Science or Art?....
One other thing, it takes an Artist to make great wine… An artist has tools to make something beautiful. Whether a painter with his art palette of colors to mix and different media to make a beautiful painting - or a chef with her spices and different techniques to make great food. Science is the LANGUAGE of the ART of making Wine. Different Yeasts, barrels, grapes, clones of grapes, climate change, smoke during harvest, viticultural practices, and too many more tools to mention all contribute to the essence of great wine. These all interact to make something beautiful, to create an experience like no other, when the fruit of the vine is crafted and nurtured to give pleasure in its enjoyment
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Mineral Wines are only sold directly on our website.
Salute,
Brett
