Capitol Cellars V2

Director of Operations

Growing up on a farm, Logan Smyser has gone from setting siphon tubes to being featured in the 2016 August issue of Wine Spectator. A Canyon County native and sixth generation Idahoan, Logan learned early on how important agriculture is to our way of life. She saw firsthand how hard farmers worked to care for their crops. Her upbringing has helped her develop a love and passion for food and wine.

Smyser graduated from Parma High School in 2007 and headed north to attend the University of Idaho, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Public Relations in 2011. With a strong desire to learn about food and wine she moved to Napa Valley and went to work for world-renowned Schramsberg Vineyards and Joseph Phelps Vineyards. She completed the Court of Master Sommeliers, Level 1. Over her years in Napa Valley, Smyser’ s love for food and wine continued to grow. With time, she was ready to head back to her native roots in Idaho. With the experience and knowledge gained while living in Napa Valley combined with her passion for the food and wine industry Logan and her family opened Capitol Cellars in March 2015. Smyser currently resides in Boise’s North End and when not working enjoys playing tennis, traveling, the outdoors, movies, singing and politics.

Owners

Skip Smyser

Mr. Smyser is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lobby Idaho, LLC, President of Connolly & Smyser, Chartered and CEO of Capitol Cellars, LLC. Mr. Smyser has been a public affairs professional and attorney in Idaho for nearly 40 years. He has experience as a Prosecuting Attorney, Deputy Attorney General and has had his own law practice for 35 plus years.

Mr. Smyser is a fifth generation Idaho resident born and raised in Canyon County. He has had a successful contract lobbying practice for over 20 years, representing a diverse client base focused on being an advocate of substance and a knowledgeable source of information for legislators and members of the executive branch of government.

Since graduating from Gonzaga School of Law in 1977, Skip Smyser has been an active part of the Idaho political scene. He has worked on numerous successful political campaigns and held seats as a member of the Idaho House of Representatives and Idaho State Senate, where he served as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. In addition, he has served as a Presidential elector and was a delegate to numerous National Political Conventions.

In March 2015, the Smyser family opened the politically themed Capitol Cellars, as a fine dining, full service restaurant. As one who dines out over 200 meals a year, Mr. Smyser has insisted on quality food, quality service and a top flight wine list. Skip believes in providing Idaho products where ever possible. Capitol Cellars is a better place to do business.

His wife Melinda and he live in Parma and have four children – Lincoln, Logan, Landon and Lauren.

Melinda Smyser

Melinda Smyser is a lifelong resident of Canyon County growing up on a farm/ranch in Middleton. She has spent most of her career as an educator/counselor in Canyon County. Her background includes serving 13 years on the Parma School Board of Trustees. She served two terms in the Idaho State Senate serving on the Agriculture, Commerce, and the H/W Committees. She is currently the Regional Director for a U.S. Senator in Idaho where she covers nine counties working with elected officials, businesses and the communities.

She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Idaho and a Master’s Degree from the College of Idaho. Smyser has received various awards from the Friend of Agriculture to Idaho’s Counselor of the Year.

Her favorite motto is: “Live, laugh and love today, tomorrow is fleeting.”