In 2003, Gary and Martha Cunningham broke ground in the foothills above Eagle, Idaho, planting historic Vitis Vinifera rootstock in Idaho’s fertile organic soil. Some of this rootstock traces its heritage to the 17th century Côtes du Rhône wine region in the southern Rhone Valley of France.
Part of the newly formed Snake River Valley American Viticultural Area, 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards brings together a unique blend of soil, climate and care to produce fruit of exceptional quality.

The Ranch
The ranch terroir provides the ultimate growing conditions necessary to create truly great wine.
This perfect balance of nature and nurture allows our wines to showcase the intense ripe flavors indicative of our grape-growing techniques. Our deep, well drained soil allows measured irrigation to enhance individual expression of each vinifera varietal.
The hand pruning and individual training of each plant along with hand picked fruit at harvest ensures our estate grown wines are allowed to develop to their greatest potential. By utilizing environmentally sustainable farming practices our organic approach in the production from our vineyards illustrates not only our personal commitment to future generations of Idaho families, but to the preservation of the land itself.

Our Rootstock
Our Rhone varietal rootstock is directly descended from the Côtes du Rhône wine region in the southern Rhone Valley of France, notably the exceptional red Côtes du Rhône blend of Château de Beaucastel, which dates to the 18th century. The Tablas Creek Winery brought vitis vinifera rootstock from the French estate to California. Several clones each of Mourvédre, Grenache Noir, Syrah, Counoise, Roussanne, Viognier, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul Blanc were imported. This diversity allowed Tablas Creek to replicate the clonal selection of an established French vineyard. This rootstock is licensed to nurseries in California and Washington and is now planted in our vineyards.
These high quality vines, hand-selected for intensity of flavor and true varietal character, are the perfect compliment to the ranch terroir and our environmentally sustainable farming practices.

The Winemaker
The best fruit deserves the passion, knowledge and touch of a great winemaker. A lifelong study of the art, including a three-year stint in his father’s hometown of Lustenau, Austria, and a year in Italy has uniquely prepared winemaker Greg Koenig for the task.
Meticulous winemaking and a dedication to single-vineyard wines enables Greg to craft small quantities of excellent Syrah, Malbec, dry French-style Rosé, Chardonnay, Viognier and many others.
Greg’s commitment to handcrafted wines is the perfect partnership to our hand pruning, training and harvesting. He has earned a reputation for elegant and balanced wines, deeply rooted in winemaking tradition and his respect for the land and the fruit it bears.

Our Label
The painting commissioned by the Cunninghams of three horses, by Idaho artist Polly Barrett, pays homage to the cave paintings of Lascaux on the northern slopes of the French Pyrenees. The center horse is an Appaloosa, Idaho’s state horse. The horses are surrounded by prehistoric Idaho petroglyphs, bringing the tradition of French culture together with Idaho’s historic past. The blending of French Vitis Vinifera varietals with the Idaho terroir found in our wine is a reflection on our label.
A native of Idaho, Polly Barret is an avid horsewoman comfortable working with the cowboys and horse trainers who pose for her work. She captures her surroundings with bold colorful watercolors.
Polly teaches art classes in her studio and shows her work in numerous galleries and at juried art shows throughout the Northwest. She was featured in Southwest Art magazine’s “Artists to Watch” section. Her work is held by collectors all over the world.