When you think of Arizona, arid desert scenes with the occasional swathe of prickly cacti come to mind. However, there is more to the state than dry and dusty landscapes. The elevation, volcanic soil, hot days and cool nights make for a perfect environment for grape growing. As an up and coming location for viticulture and Wine production, the state has not one but three main wine regions – American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) – which equates to a lot of Arizona wineries to sip in.
Of course, it is possible to visit the Arizona wineries to see how they produce their wine and sample their products and hospitality. However, many AZ wineries have also opened tasting rooms in places like Tucson and downtown Scottsdale to create urban wine trails that attract not just the residents but visitors too. Let’s take a look at some of the top AZ wineries to sip-in in Arizona’s wine country.
Callaghan Vineyards, Elgin
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LDV Winery, Wilcox & Scottsdale
At the foot of the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona, 5,000 feet above sea level along the banks of the 600-foot-wide Ash Creek, you’ll find LDV Winery. Founded by Curt Dunham and Peggy Fiandaca, a couple with a passion and appreciation of good wine, the vineyard is set in a very beautiful but remote location, a 45-minute drive from Willcox. Since they purchased their 40 acres of scrub mesquite in 2007, they’ve planted in stages to create the Arizona winery and vineyard it is today. Their grapes include Petite Sirah, Grenache, Syrah and Viognier.
Despite their extensive planting, the first vintage in 2009 was produced mostly from purchased grapes, but by 2011 they were producing vintages that were all Estate grown.
Luckily, you don’t have to travel all the way out to the Chiricahua Foothills to taste their excellent wines as LDV have a tasting room in their wine gallery in Downtown Scottsdale where you can also buy your favorites.
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Alcantara Vineyards, Cottonwood
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Pillsbury Vineyard, Wilcox & Cottonwood
The owner and founder of Pillsbury Vineyard, Sam Pillsbury, operates a sustainable high elevation vineyard focused on making estate grown wines. He and his team nourish and balance the pH of the soil with organic Gypsum and compost, and fermenting takes place using the wild yeasts from the fruit. Only organic sprays are used to treat pests, weeding is done by hand and the wild grasses that grow between the rows are mowed rather than harrowed so that the nutrients from the grass are allowed to return to the soil. In this way, Sam can confidently say his wines are produced by people, not machines.
To try out the wines produced at the Pillsbury Vineyard, you can visit the vineyard in Willcox or drop into the Old Town Cottonwood Tasting Room on Main Street. Once a bootlegging town, Cottonwood is fast becoming a top culinary destination and home to seriously sip worth Arizona wineries.
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Javelina Leap Vineyard, Sedona
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