Our Vineyards

 Run by Ron, Bitner Vineyards is a family-owned business whose wine making is driven by three guiding principles:

Sustainably Grown, Patiently Crafted, Innovatively Driven.

Dr. Ron Bitner is a professional entomologist (www.pollination.com) who received his PhD in 1976 from Utah State University. His work with bees has allowed him to travel extensively, both nationally and internationally. The nine seasons he spent working in Australia inspired Bitner Vineyards’ plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz (as the Aussies say) to produce Australian style wines. Ron is currently the Intermountain Representative to the Wine America Board and President of the National Wine Grape Growers Association.

When Ron returned to Idaho after getting his PhD, he found a 15-acre property in the Sunny Slope area that overlooked the Snake River, which he bought solely for the incredible view. The property was located next to the region’s first wine maker, who explained to Ron that he had purchased a world-class site for growing Chardonnay grapes, due to the slopes, the soils, and the proximity to the river. Ron was intrigued and planted some Chardonnay and Riesling grapes in 1981, discovering that his neighbor was right – his crops flourished. An Australian consultant who visited his farm in the early 1990s pointed out the similarities between the Sunny Slope area in Idaho and a wine-growing region in Northern Spain and encouraged the Bitners to start growing red grapes as well.

Idaho has some of the most elevated vineyards in the country. Its short growing season, cool climate, and sloping hills lead to a concentrated flavor in the grapes – this results in beautifully flavored red and white wines. As a native of Idaho, Ron was surprised to discover that it was an undiscovered gem when it comes to wine making and excited to be one of the first of a new wave of wine makers to build up its wine making culture and reputation. In 1997, he spearheaded a group to start Idaho’s first AVA – American Viticulture Area, proving that Idaho’s wine making region was unique and different from other areas on earth. Now, winemakers are able to list Idaho as the region of origin if 95% of the grapes come from the area.

Bitner Vineyards is only LIVE certified winery in Idaho

As an integrated pest management specialist, Ron understands the practical use of beneficial insects in the control of pests. In 2014, Bitner Vineyards became the first and only Idaho vineyard to receive a LIVE (Low Input Vineyard and Enology) certification. Our vineyard uses only soft chemicals when needed and take proper care of the soils, water, and habitat being mindful of the birds, animals, workers and the community. Ron Bitner grew up working on both small farms and some of the biggest farms in the United States. During his time working in big agriculture, Ron found that most of the standard practices involved the use of chemicals. After leaving big agriculture, Ron started paying more attention to the soil. In 2013, he went to a seminar on low-input viticulture and he learned how to take better care of the soil and the water, and how to get away from spraying. Instead of using chemicals, they use mechanical equipment and hand-pull weeds. Bitner Vineyards employs a biodiversity-based approach to their growing practices. Ron applies his entomologist background to the way he cares for his grapes and deals with insects, allowing beneficial insects to thrive and reducing the use of pesticides.

The Bitner Vineyards pride themselves on being a bee-friendly vineyard. They plant crops between their rows just for bees and feature a leaf cutter bee on their cork. Ron also serves on a national board that promotes bee health.

Ron believes in taking care of the land through responsible stewardship and passing it down to future generations.

In addition to his environmental responsibility, Ron is dedicated to taking a socially equitable approach to their work, treating their workers fairly and with respect. In 2005, they founded a scholarship fund for Hispanic students at the College of Idaho as a way to give back to the Hispanic community who are so important to agriculture in Idaho.