How One Idaho Family Built Rolling Hills Vineyard from Old-World Roots

From Ellis Island to Eagle Hills, the Pasculli family is building Rolling Hills Vineyard together.

Tammy de Weerd - Spoken Wines

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How One Idaho Family Built Rolling Hills Vineyard from Old-World Roots

From Ellis Island to Eagle Hills, the Pasculli family is building Rolling Hills Vineyard together.

Long before Eagle Hills Winery existed, before Idaho was even a household name for wine, a young woman named Sofia stepped off a boat at Ellis Island. She carried little more than hope, resilience, and an old-world sensibility for craftsmanship that would echo generations later in bottles of wine bearing her family’s story.

A Foundation Built on Legacy

Sofia’s journey from Sicily to America was one of countless immigrant stories that shaped the fabric of the United States, but few could have predicted how her spirit of determination would eventually flourish into a boutique winery in the high desert hills of Idaho.

Eagle Hills Winery, founded generations later by her descendants, is more than a winemaking venture, it’s a living tribute to that journey. Every bottle produced here carries whispers of Sofia’s resilience, echoing themes of family, hard work, and cultural preservation.

Terroir Meets Tenacity

Nestled among the rolling foothills just outside Boise, Eagle Hills Winery benefits from a unique high-desert terroir: volcanic soils, dramatic temperature swings, and intense sunlight that stress the vines just enough to produce concentrated, expressive fruit.

Much like Sofia adapted to a new world, the vines here have had to adapt to Idaho’s unconventional wine climate, and the results speak for themselves.

Wines that Tell a Story

From bold reds to nuanced whites, each varietal at Eagle Hills is crafted with intention. Their Syrah offers dark fruit and a peppery finish reminiscent of Rhône-style wines, while their Riesling delivers bright acidity and floral notes that pay homage to old-world winemaking traditions.

But it’s not just about what’s in the glass, it’s about what each sip represents: family, migration, transformation, and the pursuit of something better.

A New Chapter in Idaho Wine Country

Eagle Hills Winery is helping put Idaho on the map as a serious contender in American wine production. With deep respect for heritage and a forward-thinking approach to sustainable viticulture, the winery is carving out its place among the Pacific Northwest’s most promising wine regions.

Eagle Hills’ story of resilience and craftsmanship echoes themes found across the American wine landscape, from the immigrant determination we found at Kerry Hill Winery to the pioneering spirit that shaped Dunham Cellars in Walla Walla.

Final Thoughts: From Immigrant Roots to Idaho Soil

Eagle Hills Winery isn’t just about producing excellent wine, it’s about honoring a legacy that began over a century ago with a single act of courage. Sofia’s story, once written in the pages of immigration records, now lives on in the vineyards and bottles of a winery that continues to grow, evolve, and inspire.

To learn more about Eagle Hills Winery and their story, visit their official website: eaglehillswinery.com

Eagle Hills’ story began with journeys across the Atlantic, but its next chapter is taking shape in Eagle Hills.

Visit our United States page for a full overview of wine in the United States.

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Originally published May 7, 2024 - Updated August 1, 2026

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