​Garden City: Owners and winemakers Carrie and Earl Sullivan started Telaya Wine Co. as a way to work together (Earl was previously the COO of a pharmaceuticals company and Carrie a veterinarian). Now their tasting room is one of the most popular spots on the Greenbelt. On nice days, every table on the patio is occupied by wine drinkers (and their dogs) watching the action on the Greenbelt, maybe with a glass of 2020 Aman II “Clash,” a blend of Idaho-grown gruner Veltliner and viognier that has tangerine and tropical notes. On cooler afternoons, you can stay toasty by one of the firepits or by sipping the winery’s Turas bottling, which hits the sweet spot between earthy, fruity, and spicy.

2. ​Telaya Wine Co. 2018 syrah, Snake River Valley, $34: Boise-area winemaker Earl Sullivan works with famous vineyards in Washington, but he pulls this stately syrah from the volcanic soils of Sawtooth Vineyard in Idaho.

Our 2018 Syrah, Snake River Valley, ID was awarded #2 in the Pacific NW Magazine. This vintage is now sold out, but you can sip on our other great wines in the tasting room seven days a week!
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Look for our 2019 Snake River Valley Syrah in the coming months.

IN MANY CASES, our 2020 holiday celebrations will be more intimate, yet distant, and more memorable than perhaps any in our lifetime.
For the Northwest wine lover, we can hope that a table featuring some of our region’s best work will provide a delicious complement to the festivities, and maybe offer a moment or two of needed diversion.

Telaya Wine Co. 2018 Scoria Vineyard malbec, Snake River Valley, $40: Bright marionberry, blueberry preserves and moderate intensity prove the promise of this grape in Idaho. ​

Many people have multiple careers over a lifetime. Few people embody that as well as Earl and Carrie Sullivan, owners of Telaya Wine Co. in Boise. Before breaking into the world of wine, Earl was the COO of a pharmaceutical company and Carrie was a veterinarian. While they were both successful in their own fields, they weren’t happy with how much time they had to spend away from their family because of work. So they decided to take a leap of faith, pursue their passion and start a winery.
Earl and Carrie raised their children on the values of integrity, hard work, accountability and perseverance. They’ve applied those same principles to how they run their business, which is why they started their Sip to Give program. Through this initiative, on the first Friday of each month, 10% of all sales go to a local charity chosen by Telaya’s employees.
Like many businesses across the nation, Telaya had to shut down operations when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Having opened the winery during the 2008 recession, Earl and Carrie are familiar with adversity. And while they were able to pivot to curbside service and expand their outdoor seating, they credit much of their success during these difficult times to the Boise community’s enthusiastic support of local businesses.
Telaya Wine Co. started working with Columbia Bank at the beginning of the pandemic because Earl and Carrie recognized the emphasis the bank places on supporting small businesses. Similarly, when Columbia Bank heard about the Sip to Give program, they knew they’d found the perfect partner for the Pass It On Project. So, with Columbia Bank picking up the bill, Telaya Wine Co. will open a pop-up restaurant on its property to host a dinner from which all proceeds will go to the Women and Children’s Alliance. In Earl and Carrie’s eyes, this is their way to assist women and children suffering from abuse, who need more help than ever.

9. Telaya Wine Co. 2018 Turas Journey red wine, Snake River Valley, $34: Year after year, Earl Sullivan’s syrah-based blend ranks among the Northwest’s best. It’s reminiscent of blackberry, plum, cured meat and herbs, as its well-managed tannin structure adds up to a smooth finish.