Pop the cork and experience the brilliant sunshine, fresh mountain air and the spectacular scenery that makes Glacier Country wines so special. With its low humidity, warm days, cool nights and high elevation, Western Montana has a unique climate for producing premium wines.
Advanced growing techniques and grape varieties bred for short growing seasons and cold weather are enticing quite a few adventurous Montana farmers and vintners to turn their attention to grape growing and wine making. And although they are relative newcomers to the popular winery stage, our winemakers are causing quite a buzz.
In addition to growing their own fruit, Western Montana vintners are also importing grapes from vineyards in Washington, Oregon, and California to create their own unique wines. For a distinctly Montana twist, some wine makers are using native fruits to Glacier Country such as Flathead cherries, wild huckleberries, tart chokecherries, and even local honey to create their wines.
You will find six wineries that are currently in production here in Glacier Country and many of their wines can be found in our local restaurants, grocery stores, and specialty wine and liquor stores. However, the best way to experience these wines is to visit the wineries and meet the people who make the rich nectar of the land. Much like the rest of Western Montana, you’ll find its wineries to be friendly, laid back and a great place to discover new things.
Flathead Lake Winery
Flathead Lake Winery is a small, family-owned, craft winery that specializes in small-batch wines made from Western Montana fruit that is either grown or picked in the wild. Their wines include Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Huckleberry, Cherry, Currant, Apple, Pear, White Cherry, Chokecherry and Peach wine.
Lake Missoula Cellars
Winery, tasting room and event center all in one location, this winery has always got something going on, from live music to bocce ball tournaments. Specializing in wine production from grapes he imports from Washington and Oregon, Vintner Doug Wagner boasts award-winning wines under the Lake Missoula Cellars and ClearWeather label. In addition, Dr. Paul Bach uses this winery to also produce his Rock Creak label, creating wine made from Montana grapes he grows in Plains.
Lolo Peak Winery
Lolo Peak specializes in wines made exclusively from Montana agricultural produce that includes; apples from the Bitterroot Valley, cherries from Flathead Lake, raspberries from the Mission Valley and rhubarb and plums from family gardens of Missoula. These wines are best served slightly chilled and are a great aperitif after hitting the slopes or to accompany you on your picnic in the great outdoors.
Mission Mountain Winery
Being the first bonded winery in Montana, Mission Mountain Winery is a pioneer in the industry. Growing Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and small amounts of Riesling, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer in the mountains of Western Montana and additional grapes grown in their own vineyards in Washington, this winery is receiving international recognition, winning over 50 medals for their high quality wines. The tasting room is open seasonally from May to October.
Ten Spoon Vineyard and Winery
Located deep in the Rattlesnake Valley of Missoula, Ten Spoon is a locally owned vineyard on five acres of land. Keeping in line with the Missoula culture, the vintners of Ten Spoons are dedicated to preserving land, keeping their business local and their wines organic. The varietals grown on their vineyards include: Maréchal Foche, Frontenac, Leon Millot, St. Croix and table grape Swenson Red (reds) and St. Pepin and LaCrosse (whites). In addition, Ten Spoon also purchases grape and fruit from family farms Washington, California and the Flathead Valley, making their infamous “Dry Cherry Red” which resembles a Pinot Noir. These wines have received many accolades and press, and very much worth your attention.
Hidden Legend Winery
Hidden Legend Winery (formerly Trapper Creek Winery) located in the heart of the Bitterroot Valley, are transforming honey and berries that are found in the vast fields and deep mountain valleys, into a variety of mead wines. These mead masters start with honey, water and yeast to create hand-crafted pure honey mead, dark mead, three berry meads, spiced mead and carbonated berry honey mead. If you haven’t tried mead, a trip to Hidden Legend Winery is a must to experience the intense and delicious drink – and to toast the bee goddesses of yore.
Trail Creek Winery
Trail Creek Winery is located in Seeley Lake, at 802 Highland Drive. Don't let this central office limit you, Trail Creek Winery's products are available all over Glacier Country. We serve Seeley Lake, Swan Valley, Greenough, Bonner and Missoula, and always looking for new places to carry our wine. Currently in production is 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Merlot, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 Merlot, 2007 Reserve Chardonnay and 2008 Riesling.
