Clearwater Canyon Cellars

Attempting to write a profile—a summary—of Clearwater Canyon Cellars is a bit overwhelming. Perhaps the most honored and decorated winery in Idaho, telling their story properly might best be done in book form. Ultimately, however, it begins with the people.

Coco and Karl Umiker established Clearwater Canyon Cellars in 2004, with three other couples, on the farm acquired by Coco’s great-grandparents, George and Irene Nichols, in 1916. They planted their first vines, with the help of Coco‘s grandfather, Ralph, on what is now Umiker Vineyard in 2003 and their first harvest in 2005 (Merlot) was the first to be grown and produced in Lewis-Clark Valley from vitis vinifera grapes since Prohibition.

After surviving ovarian cancer at age 11, Coco has gone on to earn degrees in Microbiology and Molecular Biology & Chemistry from the University of Idaho and a doctorate in food science within the Enology and Viticulture Program at Washington State University. While technically a wine microbiologist specializing in wine spoilage microorganisms (e.g., brettanomyces) she likes to think of herself as an artist who uses the natural environment and a deep understanding of wine science to craft grapes into liquid art. Naturally, Coco is the winemaker.

Karl grew up racing mountain bikes in Northwest Arkansas. He earned a BS in Chemistry from the University of Arkansas and an MS in Soil Science from the University of Idaho, the latter of which he serves as a member of the dean’s advisory board for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The “Vine Whisperer,” Karl is committed as vineyard manager to continually learning and exploring how different viticultural practices influence wine quality and character.

Coco and Karl met as members of the University of Idaho cycling team and had a lot of success in triathlons. They were married in 2004. As is often the case with those taking the risk of starting a winery, Coco and Karl were nearly broke after they bought the barrels for their first vintage the year of their wedding. They both worked full-time jobs apart from their winery and eventually bought out the other three couples, with whom they still maintain a friendship, in 2010. The awards and critical acclaim soon followed and Coco and Karl quit their other jobs to devote themselves to Clearwater Canyon Cellars full time.

In 2007 Coco and Karl were among an instrumental group of people who embarked on a project to petition to have Lewis-Clark Valley established as an AVA by the Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. The petition was granted and the AVA was established in 2016.

Visitors to their website can scroll through the impressive list of accolades they have received. Wine Press Northwest has awarded them Platinums more than 20 times, which has resulted in Coco being called “Queen of the Platinum” as the publication’s most decorated woman winemaker ever. 

In 2015 Clearwater Canyon Cellars was named Idaho Winery of the Year by Wine Press Northwest and in 2020 was named Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year by the same publication. The latter award is only allowed once in the lifetime of a winery and encompasses more than 2,000 wineries in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. They are the first Idaho winery ever to win this award.

It is hard to overstate the success that Coco and Karl have had but it is not by accident. Two gifted, driven, hard-working people, with the help of family, colleagues, and friends made it happen. We strongly encourage you to make a point to visit Coco, Karl, and their team (Sara Wilson, Mike Haberman, and Karen Schmidt) in Lewiston. In the meantime, learn more about Clearwater Canyon Cellars, follow them, and purchase their wine here:

https://clearwatercanyoncellars.com

@ClearwaterCanyonCellars