It all began with
a dream.
“When someone buys my wine, I want them to taste it and know that this is what wine is supposed to taste like”
— James “Hoser” Holesinsky
Dreams Come True
Holesinsky’s Vineyard and Winery was the first of a growing trend in Idaho’s vineyards and wineries. It started with a dream, and was brought into fruition by winemaker, James Holesinsky, to honor his father, Frank’s, lifelong dream.
With only the highest of artistic integrity, Holesinsky’s Vineyard and Winery creates some of the most versatile flavors and highest quality, award-winning wines in the Northwestern United States.
James
Born in Buhl, Idaho in 1978, James Holesinsky’s father raised him to be a chemist. Though James appreciated the efforts of his father, and the idea behind chemistry, he found his true calling in gardening and winemaking.
When Life Gives You Grapes…
The land on which the vineyard rests is the childhood home of James and his siblings: only until their house (the center for celebration throughout the community) set afire taking with it precious memories and family heirlooms. It was in this loss that James decided to reclaim the legacy of his family and rebuild a future for his parents, sisters, nieces, and nephews, and his own children.
Pioneer. Visionary. Winemaker.
For most, entry into winemaking is a long process, consisting of years of formal education and hands-on work under the watchful eye of a mentor, and most winemakers never own their own vineyard. This was not the path James Holesinsky took into winemaking. James planted his initial vines in 2001, and then enrolled in the UC Davis Enology Extension Program—a program attended by notable Idaho Winemaker, and Jame’s classmate, St. Chappel’s own Meredith.
While at UC Davis, James was introduced to the late French winemaker, and founder of Red Mountain AVA in Washington state, Michael Moore by UC Davis professor, Margaret Misser.
I know someone just as crazy as you that you need to meet.
– Margaret Misser referring James to Moore
James left the UC Davis program after two years, and continued his education under the mentorship of Michael Moore. A veteran of the famous Napa Valley, Moore taught James the French arts of lees aging as well as vineyard trellising techniques. The secrets James learned during his time with Moore in Benton City are still employed in his winemaking today.
With minimal money and experience, James began his career in the Idaho Wine Industry—winning the Albertson’s Choice Award for his off-dry Riesling in 2006, despite his often stubborn, against-the-grain, and argumentative character.
James was taught the value of relationships at an early age, and fostered relationships with surrounding vineyards and wineries from the start. One of these relationships granted James access to a bottling line before he could afford one of his own. James worked for the late Roger Jones of Carmela Winery in Glenns Ferry by day, and bottled his own wine at night. While at Carmela Winery, long-time friendships were forged with winemakers Neil Glancey and Jamie Stewart, who have provided him with a source of encouragement over the years.
Everything begins with a dream. James has a lot of them.
James began producing organic wines, free of sulfates, and received his official Organic Certification in 2006. Unfortunately, an organic label was still a novel concept and these wines were relegated to the less-than-prime sections of retail shelves.
The Initial Planting
Holesinsky’s Vineyard + Winery was established in 2001 with the planting of 1000 Chardonnay. In 2002 the vineyard grew with the addition of 3000 Syrah, 2000 Merlot and 200 Port (Sauzao, Tiuta Cao, Touragia); the growth continued in 2006 with 1000 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1000 Riesling and adding Muscat in 2007. James has proudly produced organically grown grapes for more than 20 years. The Vineyard is free of glysophates, chemicals and pesticides and does not use any synthetic fertilizers, weed-killers or fungicides.
Every wine produced by Holesinsky Vineyard + Winery sings songs of passion, creativity, commitment, and a celebration of life and love. You can taste the stories of the Holesinsky family in every sip.
Looking Back
