Famici Wine Company

C.J. and Janet Northrup handle winemaking, vineyard work, and even glass washing at Famici Wine Company in Sunnyslope, Idaho. Their hillside tasting room overlooks the orchards and farmland of the Snake River Valley, with the estate vineyard beside it. The name combines the Italian words famiglia and amici—family and friends—and that circle helps keep the operation running.

Vermentino, the signature white grape, gives Famici a reason to stand out beyond the familiar Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The estate also grows Malbec, Primitivo, Graciano, and Petit Verdot. Its 2023 Estate Vermentino carries a Platinum award from the 2024 Great Northwest Platinum Awards. Beyond the estate wines, the Vicino label uses grapes from neighboring vineyards, while a portion of every Rusty’s Blend bottle sale supports local animal shelters. Rusty is the winery dog, not a marketing invention.

The tasting room opens Friday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., with weekly changing flights priced at $10–$15. Walk-ins are welcome; reservations are appreciated for groups of five or more. A complimentary snack accompanies each group’s tasting, with light fare available to purchase and outside snacks allowed. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome in both the tasting room and on the patio—a useful stop for travelers with a dog in tow.