Thread: Arizona Wines

Although wine has been produced in Arizona since the 1700's by the Spanish Missionaries, the modern state of Arizona wine started in 1973 in Sonoita at the southern end of the state. There are now almost 40 licensed and bonded wineries throughout Arizona.

Arizona's high desert produces a climate similar to Mendoza, Argentina - hot daytime temperatures cooling off at night, the perfect recipe for a happy grape. Most of Arizona's vineyards can be found between 4200 and 5200 feet in northern Arizona's Verde Valley, in Sedona and Elgin in southern Arizona and in the greater Willcox region of Cochise County in southeastern Arizona.

Arizona wines have been highly regarded by Robert Parker, the Wine Spectator and have even been served numerous times at the White House.

Come out and visit wine country today! Meet the winemakers and vineyard owners, explore Arizona's diverse terrain and enjoy some wonderful wine. Most areas can be visited for a day-trip or a fun weekend getaway. You're sure to have a great time!

http://www.arizonawine.org/


WHERE TO BUY ARIZONA WINES

Here's a list of retail locations where you can purchase some of our member's wines outside of their tasting room. Due to the relatively small quantity of wine being produced in Arizona, there are not a lot of wines available out of state. Please also keep in mind that many of the wineries sell wine over the internet. Unfortunately due to Arizona's heat, shipping is only available in cooler months.

We appreciate your support of Arizona wine.

Arizona Stronghold*
Caduceus/Merkin Vineyards*
Callaghan Vineyards
Canelo Hills Vineyard & Winery
Dos Cabezas WineWorks*
Javelina Leap Winery
Keeling Schaefer Vineyards
Kief-Joshua Vineyards
Page Springs Cellars
Pillsbury Wine Company
Sonoita Vineyards
Village of Elgin *
* - indicates these wineries also list retail locations out-of-state

Sphinx Date Ranch
They sell many Arizona wine labels and offer climate control packaging for shipping during the summer months. They are an associate member of our organization so please support them!

http://www.arizonawine.org/whereToBuy.html

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Here is a list of ALL active Arizona Wineries from http://www.arizonavinesandwines.com/wineries.html. They are organized alphabetically and by location: Northern, Central, Sonoita/Elgin (and beyond) or Southeastern Arizona. Visit our Maps page to help you plan your trip to the wine country.

Northern Arizona: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Central Arizona: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Sonoita/Elgin & Beyond: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Southeastern Arizona: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


(Northern Arizona Wine Trail Map) Alcantara Vineyards
Alcantara is a dream venture created by Owner Barbara Predmore. Barbara and her husband Bob started the vineyard to provide their family and partners the opportunity to work and develop a vineyard community and winery, making wines that are comparable to the best of California and Europe. Barbara had spent four years with research and diligence using the best consultants from the University of Arizona and UC Davis, as well as support from her family at the noted Martin-Weyrich Vineyards in Central California. Alcantara Vineyard is perched on 87 acres of sloping terrain off the Verde River and Oak Creek. The newly constructed Tuscan Farmhouse serves as the Tasting Room for hosting the many friends and guests that visit from around the globe. Visit their website for more info.

Verde Valley - (92 649-8463


Bitter Creek Winery
Jerome's newest wine venture. An Avant-garde ambiance of artwork in a first-class gallery showing some of the area's finest artists is the place to be for a wine tasting. Our vintner invites you to experience all of Nouveau varieties while watching the panormaic view across the Verde Valley with Sedona Red Rocks in the distance. You will encounter a grand selection of unique, special press and hard to locate varietals. Our vineyard has 52 different varieties from cuttings taken from exceptional vineyards in Europe and the US. They aim the please even the pickiest palate. Open daily from 11am to 6pm. Bitter Creek Winery does not have a website at this time but feel free to check out their sister winery: Jerome Winery.

Jerome - (92 634-7033


Caduceus Cellars/Merkin Vineyards
Maynard James Keenan created the Caduceus label for his Arizona vineyard, Merkin Vineyards. One day while sipping some fine wine on his patio in the hills of northern Arizona, he realized that the climate in the area was similar to the climates where some of his favorite wines were produced. Why not grow a vineyard here? When asked about the type of wine he intended to grow, he answered, “My art and music has been described as ‘thick, dense, rich complex, engaging, emotional, and spiritual,’ by those who are fans. And an ‘acquired taste’ for those kind others who are not.“ He felt that Arizona aligned with this description and that they were a match made in heaven. “Surely these qualities will be reflected in the wine that Arizona will present to usâ€

Thank you ShockedinCalifornia! I'll be looking for Arizona wines to buy here to support this wonderful state and courageous people.