The House of Wine

Founded by Kathryn “Kat” House McClaskey, House of Wine has become Idaho’s most recognized center for wine education, serving a growing audience of professionals and enthusiasts from across the Pacific Northwest. Located in the heart of downtown Boise, the school is part tasting room, part wine shop, and part classroom—designed to make wine more approachable, more personal, and more rewarding.

Kat House holds a Master’s degree in Viticulture and Enology and is a Stage 3 Master of Wine candidate. She’s also spent more than 20 years in wine education, consulting, and production. Before arriving in Boise in 2010, she worked in Washington State vineyards and wineries. What began as a move to the “wild west” of winemaking evolved into one of Idaho’s most respected wine businesses.

In 2011, eight months pregnant with her second child, Kat was offered the opportunity to take over a wine laboratory in Boise. She said yes. That lab became the launch point for a business that blended her scientific expertise with her teaching background. Over time, the production lab was phased out, and House of Wine transformed into what it is today: a modern wine education and retail space that brings together testing, tasting, and teaching under one roof.

A New Home, A Bigger Mission

In 2023, House of Wine moved to its current location at 1008 West Main Street in Boise—a bright, welcoming space designed around a progressive retail concept. Instead of organizing wine by grape or country, wines are arranged by flavor profile, helping customers navigate the shop by taste. For Kat, wine isn’t just a product—it’s a bridge between people, stories, and place.

“Our mission at House of Wine is to empower connection through exceptional wine experiences,” she says. “From private guided tastings to educational classes and curated retail selections, our goal is to create an experience that’s both informed and inviting.”

House of Wine continues to offer Level 1 and Level 2 WSET certification courses as a licensed franchise, along with custom wine education events for both the trade and public audiences. The school originally partnered with Adventure in Wine before becoming a standalone WSET Approved Program Provider. In addition to certification programs, Kat and her team regularly host guided tastings and educational seminars focused on regional, stylistic, or seasonal themes.

Idaho Wine Month and the Rise of a Region

June marks Idaho Wine Month, and House of Wine plays an active role in celebrating the state’s emergence as a serious winegrowing region. With its high-altitude vineyards, volcanic soils, and a growing reputation for varieties like Syrah, Tempranillo, Riesling, and Viognier, Idaho is no longer flying under the radar.

Kat sees House of Wine as both a local anchor and an ambassador for the region. “There’s so much energy and innovation here,” she says. “The Idaho wine community is collaborative, curious, and still writing its story.”

Programs like the Sunnyslope Tasting Flight, often paired with dinners from local institutions like The Avery, are designed to introduce guests to Idaho’s rising stars. House of Wine curates these experiences with a focus on accessibility and storytelling. “We start with bubbles, explore three standout Sunnyslope wines, and wrap with a pour of the guest’s choice,” Kat explains. “Our Wine Guides lead with personality and insight, so everyone walks away having learned something new.”

The Big Picture

The story of House of Wine is also a story about the potential of Idaho as a wine state. Kat is quick to note that the local scene has changed dramatically in the past decade—and she expects even more growth ahead. “In ten years, I think Idaho will be recognized as one of the most dynamic wine regions in the U.S.,” she says. “The wines are there. The people are there. It’s just a matter of time.”

Accreditation and Credentials

Like many wine schools offering WSET courses, House of Wine operates as a franchise provider and is not registered with the Idaho Department of Education. This is standard for WSET programs in the U.S., which are accredited by WSET’s own global framework but not overseen by state education agencies.