Eagle Foothills AVA is the second Idaho American Viticultural Area located in the southwestern part of the state, north of Boise, and a sub-region within the established Snake River Valley AVA. It is the first appellation within Idaho State boundaries. The Eagle Foothills sits at the north bank of Ancient Lake Idaho, its elevation ranging from 2,490 to 3,412 feet (759 to 1,040 m).^[5] The region encompasses 49,815 acres (20,159 ha) and nearly 70 acres (28 ha) of grapes planted when established with plans to add 472 acres (191 ha) of vineyards.^[4] The influence of nearby Prospect Peak at 4,820 feet elevation contributes to the unique terroir with the drainage flow of the air from the hills in the area around it creates a unique climate.^[6] Weather patterns present a semi arid nature with rolling hillside and grasslands the surrounding topography.^[2] The region is located in hardiness zones 7a and 7b.^[7] Vineyard elevations are approximately below 2,000 feet. One vineyard and winery is responsible for the majority of wine-producing activity in the AVA, the 46 acres attributed 3 Horse Ranch in Eagle.^[8]

Eagle Foothills’ unique terroir began in 2012 when Martha Cunningham, co-owner of 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards, the only winery in the locale at the time, asked for help from two scientists to evaluate the terroir of the Eagle Foothills area. She and her husband Gary Cunningham had realized they lived in and were growing grapes in a special microclimate. Both Dr. Gregory Jones, a renowned climatologist and professor of environmental science at Southern Oregon University, and Dr. Clyde Northrup, professor of geosciences at Boise State University, agreed the Eagle Foothills area — its climate, soil and terrain — is different from the rest of the Snake River Valley, or any other Idahoan growing area. After reading Dr. Jones' report, Cunningham concluded "This needs to be done. Establishing the Eagle Foothills AVA will help further position Idaho as a developing wine region and hopefully attract growers, wineries, tourism and jobs.”^[2]

Using the federal government's TTB petition process, Cunningham made the push to identify and authenticate the new Viticultural Area. In November of 2015, she was rewarded for her efforts when AVA status was granted to the Eagle Foothills. She hopes other areas of the Snake River Valley AVA will move ahead to craft petitions for their own unique spots. "The Sunnyslope deserves its own AVA, too," says Cunningham. "The Snake River Valley is so vast, and certainly diverse enough, I see no reason for others not to follow."^[2]

• 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards

Category:Idaho wine Category:Wine regions of the United States by state Category:American Viticultural Areas