Coronavirus got you staying in? Pour a glass. These Idaho wineries just won awards.

If you’re stuck at home with cabin fever, here’s a pleasant way to wait out the coronavirus pandemic: wine.

Better yet: Idaho wine.

Two Gem State wineries have just been honored by Wine Press Northwest. Idaho wineries also recently won SavorNW Wine Awards.

Clearwater Canyon Cellars of Lewiston was named the 2020 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year by Wine Press Northwest. Colter’s Creek Vineyards and Winery in Juliaetta was named Idaho Winery of the Year.

Clearwater’s win marks the first time a winery from the Gem State has won the Pacific Northwest award. In 2015, Clearwater was named Idaho Winery of the Year. “They have been making amazing wine for years, and it is great to see them get recognized,” Moya Dolsby, executive director of the Idaho Wine Commission, told Wine Press Northwest.

David Buccolo, president and CFO of Idaho Wine Merchant, a distributor in Garden City, called the two wineries’ awards “great local news.”

“Our strategy with Idaho wines has always been to focus on those wineries that could stand up favorably to regional and even national competition,” Buccolo said via email. “That bar is very high, and as a result we do not sell as much Idaho wine as other Idaho distributors. The (Lewis-Clark Valley American Viticultural Area), however, has some great wineries (and great fruit), and we have been enthusiastically distributing wine from two of the wineries up there. Given the news ... we feel our strategy has been vindicated.”

Both wineries’ products are available in the Treasure Valley, including at grocers such as Albertsons, Boise Co-op and Whole Foods. Recommendations from Idaho Wine Merchant brand manager Jessica Randol include:

▪ 2018 Clearwater Canyon Albarino ($22): “100 percent Albarino ... a great Northwest expression of this Spanish varietal.”

▪ 2017 Clearwater Canyon Carmenere ($32): “Always a fan favorite. Something totally different for people to try!”

▪ 2019 Colter’s Creek Riesling ($15): “Very popular pick. Balanced sweetness and minerality. All fruit coming from their estate.”

▪ 2019 Colter’s Creek Juliaetta Blanco ($17): “A beautiful blend of the Snake River Valley and Lewis-Clarke AVAs in one glass: Viognier from southern Idaho blended with Chardonnay & Viognier from Colter’s Creek estate in Juliaetta lending to tropical aromas mixed with citrus. Refreshing and perfect for the warmer days ahead.”

The annual SavorNW Wine Awards also were held recently, and Idaho wines picked up more awards. Notably, Holesinsky Vineyard and Winery in Buhl earned Double Gold awards for its 2019 Buhljolais Rose of Syrah ($12) and its 2018 Pinot Noir ($24).

It’s the first time an Idaho winery has won two Double Golds in the same year, according to Holesinsky. SavorNW, which is based in Oregon, describes itself as “one of the largest wine competitions open to all wineries in the Northwest.”

Other major Idaho wins at SavorNW included a Best of Class for Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2017 Rennaisance Red ($23) and a Best of Class for Rivaura Estate Vineyards and Winery’s 2018 Grenache ($35).

Proving it is great at something other than wine, during the coronavirus pandemic, Holesinsky also has been manufacturing and selling hand sanitizer.

This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 5:00 AM.