Editor’s Note: Lou will be profiling local wine shops in an occasional series for Tahoe Weekly.
Visiting The Idle Hour wine bar, it seems surreal that this gem of a location is right on Tahoe Boulevard in the busiest part of South Lake Tahoe. It is at once a treat for the eyes and a retreat from the hustle and bustle.
The predominantly California-curated selections are offered anyway you like from flights, to by the glass, to full bottles all with casual friendly service.
This great wine experience boasts some of the best views of our beloved Lake of the Sky. The Idle Hour is housed in a building perched over the lake. In addition to the friendly staff, you will be greeted by large windows that bring in not only the above-mentioned views, but also mood-enhancing natural light.
Read the full series on local wine bars & experts.
There are multiple seating areas ranging from a crafted, hardwood community table, to hipster furniture-filled nooks and crannies, to a large room featuring a dramatic river-rock fireplace. The Idle Hour also displays all of its wine selections either in open racks set about the place or in a Cruvinet that houses most of its by-the-glass pours.
The predominantly California-curated selections are offered anyway you like from flights, to by the glass, to full bottles all with casual friendly service. Unlike most wine bars, The Idle Hour often includes popular high-end wines in their by-the-glass program. This makes for a rare opportunity for you to taste some of the wines you always wanted to without having to pay for an entire bottle — genius.
The food choices, which were once just a noshing experience, have been expanded to larger plates, all selected to pair with wine: custom pizzas, charcuterie boards, healthy wraps and the famous made-in-Minnesota chocolate treats. As a bonus, the food here is quite reasonably priced, especially for a lakefront wine bar. The knowledgeable staff is also adept at recommending food-wine matches, if that is something that interests you.
The lower deck is on the lake and a great place to bring a larger group or host a special event. Speaking of special events, The Idle Hour has a thriving wedding business, offering soup-to-nuts service, with the flexibility for either indoor or outdoor services and the convenience of having a reception on site. There is obviously more space available during the summer months when parties of up to 150 can be accommodated.
For photo buffs, the décor and interior colors have been chosen to complement the natural beauty of Tahoe. I find this a uniquely thoughtful and creative touch to the entire experience here. | theidlehourlaketahoe.com
