PHOTOS BY KAREN DAY
FROM KEGS TO CORKS Proletariat Wine Company offers sustainable sips
By Darby Tarantino
Have you been to Garden City lately? Whether you’ve taken a drive down Chinden Blvd or a stroll along the Boise River Greenbelt, there’s no denying that this quirky urban oasis has gone through a massive transformation. Now, you can find everything a foodie, Beer Buddy, or oenophile could ask for, all within walking distance! But the newest member of Garden City’s fast-growing wine scene demands a visit, and if the name sounds familiar, it’s likely because you’ve already enjoyed their extensive selection of keg wines on tap at your favorite restaurant or wine bar. Proletariat Wine Company (proletariat means workers or working-class people, regarded collectively) started in 2011 when a wine passion project among friends became a sustainable wine movement in the PNW. After many visits to Walla Walla wine country to visit friends, founding partners and Treasure Valley natives Elizabeth and Tracy Baggerly knew wine was in their future. At its conception, the Baggerlys and
partners wanted to produce exceptional yet affordable high-end wines by the glass that were produced sustainably and meant to be enjoyed on tap throughout the Pacific Northwest. Their motto is ‘All for wine, wine for all!’, after all. While keg wine has been around for decades and is often associated with the same quality as early box wine, Proletariat sought to change this misconception. When you taste their best-selling Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon blend, Prolo Red, or their delightfully crisp Pinot Gris out of the tap, you’ll see why! The majority of their fruit comes from vineyards throughout Oregon and Washington, but they have plans to purchase vineyards and source more fruit from Idaho, including their own boutique Syrah vineyard in Horseshoe Bend. The talented head winemaker Sean Boyd is a partner for the brand and also produces award-winning wines for Rotie Cellars, Proper Wines, and House of Bones, as well as XOPC Cellars, owned by Grammy award-winning singer/ songwriter Brandi Carlile. As demands
for access to their wine began to grow, the partners at Proletariat decided it was time to expand their production, bottle their wine, and select the perfect location to open their first tasting room, a place where, according to Elizabeth, ‘we can create an environment where visitors can learn about and enjoy wine in a lighthearted and fun atmosphere.’ While Proletariat was born in Walla Walla, they are settling into their new digs quite nicely. Plans to expand their hospitality program are already fast underway, so stay tuned for upcoming food and wine pairings, winemaker dinners, and soup Sundays made by their in-house chef in their expansive tasting room and private event space. In the meantime, stop in to enjoy a custom flight of their bottled or tap wine, glass or bottle service, and a house-made cheese and charcuterie board. Proletariat Wine Company is located at 106 E. 36th St. in Garden City. Visit proletariatwines.com for tasting room hours or to inquire about reservations or private events.
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