Arizona and the Verde Valley are great places to grow wine grapes and make wine.
Some people find this hard to believe, but the similarities to some of the great wine producing regions in the world; the Rhône, Spain, Portugal and Chile are remarkable. The Verde Valley has the sunshine and heat to develop great fruit. The valley also has the rocky, poor soils that help the vines produce fruit with great flavors and concentration. The poor soils and difficult growing conditions force the vines to struggle to survive. This struggle causes the vines to put their energy into developing less but higher quality, more intensely flavored fruit - just the characteristics the winemaker wants to help him craft great wine.
The pioneering wineries in the Verde Valley are producing a wide variety of wines, in many different styles. They all have tasting rooms and welcome guests. Stop in and sample the wines, see the vineyards and maybe pick up a bottle or two to share with friends.
Alcantara Winery
Tasting Room Hours: 11am-5pm Daily Nestled in the Verde Valley and the confluence of the Verde River and Oak Creek, 13 varietals with 14 acres under vine. Tours begin at 11:30am daily. Off Highway 260/Thousand Trails.
7500 E. Alcantara Way, Verde Valley
928.649.8463 (VINE) www.alcantaravineyard.com
Javelina Leap Vineyard & Winery
Boutique Winery, limited 1,200 case annual production. Ten minutes from Sedona, along Oak Creek Greenbelt and Audubon Bird Sanctuary.
Tasting Room Hours:
Sat.-Sun. 11am to 5:30pm.
1565 Page Springs Road, Cornville
928.649.2681 www.javelinaleapwinery.com
Jerome Winery
Tasting Room Hours: 11am-6pm Sun.-Thur.; 10am-8pm Fri.-Sat. Built on the side of Cleopatra Hill between Prescott and Sedona in the historic town of Jerome, featuring over 30 uniquely handcrafted, individually distinct wines.
403 Clark St., Jerome
928.639.9067 www.jeromewinery.com
Oak Creek Winery
Tasting Room Hours: 11am-5pm Wed.-Sun.
1555 N. Page Springs Road, Cornville
928.649.0290
Page Springs Cellars
Tasting Room Hours: 11am-6pm Mon.-Sun. Enjoy fine Arizona wines at Page Springs Cellars.
1500 N. Page Springs Road, Cornville
928.639.3004 www.pagespringscellars.com |
