Tammy de Weerd
11/19/2025
Each fall, the Idaho Wine Commission hosts “Boot Camp,” a behind-the-scenes look at Idaho wine. Participants step into vineyard rows to test ripeness, taste wine straight from the barrel, and hear firsthand about the challenges and joys of winemaking.
This year, after missing the last several, I joined a dozen local business leaders and enthusiasts on the Snake River Wine Tours van, bound for the Sunnyslope Wine Trail. It felt like the perfect way to welcome autumn’s first day.
If you live in the Treasure Valley and you haven’t yet discovered the wine region south of Nampa and Caldwell — it’s time. The Snake River AVA is a treasure of vineyards, farmland, and river views that autumn paints especially well. The wines carry Idaho’s raw beauty and resilient spirit.
Among the many voices at Boot Camp, one stood out: Greg Koenig. Soft-spoken, humble, and widely respected, Greg has shaped Idaho wine for decades. For 25 years, he and his wife Kristen poured themselves into Koenig Vineyards before selling the winery in 2019. Today, they are writing a new chapter with Devil’s Bedstead, their small family winery anchored by the five-acre Fraser Vineyard.
A Season of Gratitude
When I asked Greg what he’s most thankful for, he didn’t hesitate.
“I’m most thankful for the community I get to be part of — the greater Idaho community I grew up in, and especially the friends and colleagues in agriculture,” he said. “It’s not just a job; it’s a vocation I get to live every day.” He added, “I’m grateful for my family — my wife, my son, and my daughter — who helped me realize the dream of Devil’s Bedstead. I get to do what I love with the people I love.”
For Greg and Kristen, gratitude runs deeper than tradition — it’s woven into their work, their relationships, and the land they farm.
Passing the Torch
Selling Koenig Vineyards was bittersweet. Greg recalled the memories, the wines, and the friendships formed. But the transition felt right.
“We were lucky to sell Koenig to a local farm family — clients and friends who’ve become closer friends,” he said. “They have deeper Idaho roots than I do, and they’ve done an amazing job. It was a once-in-a-lifetime, handshake-between-families kind of deal.”
The sale allowed them to focus on smaller vineyards and the kind of wines that excite them most — Devil’s Bedstead was born. Greg explained, “It’s the name of a granite peak in the Pioneer Mountains east of Sun Valley, where I grew up. It’s an obscure peak, but a place of extraordinary beauty where we love to hike. We felt the name suited our project: off the beaten path, but a great discovery if you seek it out.”
The Fraser Vineyard
At the heart of Devil’s Bedstead is the Fraser Vineyard, perched on a high knoll — the highest point in Canyon County.
“Cold air drains away, so it’s ideal for Cabernet,” Greg explained. “It’s windy and pure sand — perfect for grapes. Year after year, we get ripe, structured wines.”
Greg began leasing the vineyard in 2014, then purchased it in 2018. Today, its five acres form the backbone of Devil’s Bedstead’s small but powerful lineup.
A Triumphant Return
In 2020, Greg crafted the first Devil’s Bedstead wine — a Fraser Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon that won Best of Show at the Idaho Wine & Cider Competition.
“It was fun to reintroduce ourselves after six years,” Greg said. “And to reintroduce Fraser Vineyard in its new iteration. The judges recognized the depth and layers of flavor that site gives.”
Style and Mentorship
Greg described his winemaking style as one shaped by both Idaho’s climate and his California mentors.
“30 years ago, grapes here didn’t get as ripe as they do now. With a warming climate, we’ve adapted—more canopy, healthier vines, higher ripeness,” he said. “Now, I make wines like the ones I once studied in Napa, here in Idaho.”
Beyond the cellar, Greg is known as a mentor. His advice?
“Listen to the vineyard. Don’t compromise on picking dates. Be patient. Be all-in and genuine. Cream rises—people recognize quality. That’s your North Star.”
A Season of Giving Back
As the holidays approach, the Koenigs are reviving a tradition.
“We plan to bring back barrel tastings over Thanksgiving weekend, with donations supporting children’s charities,” Greg shared. “This year, we’ll likely support CASA, where Kristen serves as a guardian ad litem. That work matters.”
For the Koenigs, gratitude is more than words—it’s action. In their wine, in their mentorship, and in their community, they embody what it means to share Idaho’s harvest.
So, if you haven’t yet discovered the Snake River AVA, now is the time. Go. Take a tour. Taste the wines. Meet the makers. This holiday season, remember that some of the most remarkable stories—and wines—are growing just down the road, waiting to be shared.
