Carmela Vineyards where it all comes together – wine, food, and rving. After a week of family festivities culminating with a wedding, what more could we ask for than an oasis in southern Idaho?
In researching Idaho we found Carmela Vineyards with an RV Park. Enjoying wine, we thought this would be a great spot to wind down after our family wedding in Boise. Then we realized there was also a restaurant on the grounds. Ok, we are near heaven. And best of all we only had 79 miles to drive, now that is heaven.
Carmela’s vineyards, one of the highest in the Pacific Northwest, has an elevation of 2500 feet with the Snake River creating the an ideal grape growing climate. Carmela’s wines are made using 100% Idaho grapes and was one of the first Idaho wineries to offer a Meritage wine, similar to French blended Bordeaux wines.
The tasting room is open daily and staffed by knowledgeable personnel. We enjoyed tasting just about every wine available including the Adelita Winarita. We left with a case of a variety of wines for our RV Wine Cellar (sturdy wine boxes under our bed).
Later that evening we celebrated John’s birthday at the restaurant in the Chateau. Our perch was on a balcony overlooking the golf course and the Snake River. We started the evening with a small combo plate of mushrooms, zucchini sticks, jalapeno poppers, cheese curds and onion rings. The appetizer alone would have been enough for a meal. We were smart enough not to indulge totally and get a “go box”. Laurie’s entrée was the Pecan Crusted Idaho Trout with Beurre Blanc Sauce. John’s entrée was Stuffed Ravioli with spinach and ricotta cheese and topped with a sauce of roasted pine nuts, sundried tomatoes, roasted garlic and Carmela Chardonnay. The entrées were served with a salad and fresh homemade bread. The meal was complimented with a 2009 Carmela Red Meritage. Three boxes of food accompanied us out of the restaurant but no wine. The bottle of wine was savored and enjoyed.
The walk back to Cajunville was a lovely evening stroll with vineyards on each side of the drive. The RV Park, across from the Chateau, consists of 15 full hookup drive-through sites. The sites are gravel with grassy areas and lots of shade trees. The park overlooks the golf course greens and provides a soothing atmosphere for sipping wine purchased from Carmela Winery.
Carmela Vineyards consisting of a Winery, Restaurant, Lounge, RV Park and Golf Course is a gem found in Glenns Ferry, Idaho. It is a great stop for RVers who enjoy good wine and great food.
We left Carmela Vineyards with wine we would continue to enjoy for months to come. With each bottle we would recall the excellent camping, winery and culinary treat we discovered in Southern Idaho.
Idaho Trout
Combo Plate
Ravioli
Dinner Salad
Welcome to the Vineyards
Vineyards and Trees
Grape Leaves
Vines
