ABOUT
LOST SAGE
We believe low intervention delivers wine with better character. From vine to bottle, our wines are produced with minimal intervention, resulting in a finished product that truly represents our climate and our community.
Our Story
Lost Sage Wines is a family-owned vineyard and winery located in Northwest Boise, near the intersection of Hill Rd and Gary Lane. It is owned and operated by the winemaker, Joe Guenther. Joe purchased the 22-acre property in 2009, and planted Cab Franc as the first grapevines in 2011. This planting was followed up with Tempranillo, Charbono, and Nebbiolo and later Chardonnay, Gruner Veltliner, Cab Sauvignon, Malbec and Pinot Gris. We produced our first batches of estate wines, as well as wine from grapes purchased from the surrounding regions, in 2018 and the winery adventure began. Since then, Joe keeps making better and better wine.
​
We currently do not have a tasting room that is regularly open to the public. While we continue to search for a winery outlet to sell our wine, you can purchase Lost Sage Wine online, and either pick-up or arrange for local delivery in Boise. In addition to our Wine Club options, we are currently offering a 10% discount for purchases of 6 bottles and a 15% discount on cases - includes mixed bottle cases! Since we currently do not have the overhead costs of a physical store, we’re passing along great deals to our loyal followers!
About the Winemaker
Joe Guenther. Owner. Winemaker. Farmer. Fixer of things.
Since receiving his winemaking certification from UC Davis in 2016, Joe has been growing grapes and making wine in northwest Boise. He's a one-man-show that somehow manages to keep a vineyard in the desert thriving, and make not just delicious but creative wine consistently, all while holding down a full time gig with Valley Ride Transit (VRT).
​
Joe doesn't like to fuss with things too much, and his winemaking reflects this. ​He is committed to his roots: to grow and make wines that he and his friends like to drink. Hand-made and low intervention. Nothing funky— just good solid wines.
About the Vineyard
Our five-acre vineyard includes three blocks. The Porch Block includes our fun and unique varietals – like Charbono and Nebbiolo - and is both the coldest and warmest spot on the farm. The Up Top Block is the workhorse of the vineyard, with about 1,000 Cab Franc vines and 900 Chardonnay vines. It’s visible from the west side of Seaman’s Gulch Trail. The Out Back Block is our newest and includes Malbec and Pinot Gris.
Water Management and Sustainability
Living in an arid and potentially fire-prone environment, we have made sure to minimize the use of electricity-dependent equipment. As such, all of our vineyards “up top” and “out back” are gravity irrigated. And with our limited water available for irrigation, we have slowly matured the plants to seek water deep within the soil instead of staying at the surface.
These efforts, combined with other sustainable watering programs, ensure our plants thrive in our arid environment. If and when drought conditions arise, the vines are hearty and able to withstand Mother Nature's whims.
Birds and Bees
It's a common misconception that the desert is desolate and uninhabited. Quail, raptors, Hungarian partridge, chukar, and a variety of other birds share our space. We manage a sustainable balance of protecting our grapes while respecting the natural wildlife. For example, DB Honey works multiple bee hives around the property. The bees find water in the drippers and pollen from the spring grape blooms in addition to multiple blooms of bitterbrush, rabbit brush, and other flowering plants in the area.
Wild Wild West
Welcome to growing crops in the wild west. We have early freezes. Late freezes. Ice storms. Gully washers. Excessive heat. Excessive cold. Weather that makes us question our sanity almost every year. Coyotes have eaten grapes and chewed up irrigation lines, and gophers took out a full line of chardonnay. Even our own dogs have been buttheads in the vineyard.
​
But we love what we do and we knew it wouldn't be easy. If it were easy, everyone would do it.