Ivy Morris 2021-08-19 23:05:06
Burgundy, Mendoza, Napa Valley—Arizona? While the state’s wine regions might not yet have achieved an international level of fame, they’re well worth a weekend trip. Explore what to sip and see, and where to stay, with these mini itineraries. SONOITA-ELGIN Sip: The Sonoita AVA (American Viticultural Area) was the first in the state, established in 1984. The southeastern Arizona region is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Syrah and Viognier grapes. Wines here taste best among the company of the joyful winemakers who are excited to share their craft. Try Callaghan Vineyards and Wilhelm Family Vineyards in Elgin and Rune Wines in Sonoita. See: Blink and you might miss the tiny community of Patagonia, just 15 minutes southwest of Sonoita. Blink and you also might miss the tiny, fluttering visitors that love the Paton Center for Hummingbirds, a birding haven. A dozen hummingbird species have been spotted here—a handful of the hundreds of bird species that have checked out the center’s lush grounds. Stay: Stay at the Xanadu Ranch GetAway in Sonoita and take a shuttle to nearby wineries. Communal spaces include a porch with a koi pond, where you can take in Sonoita-Elgin’s rolling, grass-covered hills during morning coffee or happy hour sunsets. Choose how you stay overnight—accommodations include several casitas (some have kitchens), RV hookups and even a stable for your horse. VERDE VALLEY Sip: Above Phoenix’s heat and below Northern Arizona’s chill, the Verde Valley wine region was named a 10Best pick in USA TODAY’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Standouts among the more than 20 winery tasting rooms include Arizona Stronghold Vineyards and Provisioner Wines & General Store in Cottonwood, D.A. Ranch and Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery in Cornville and Caduceus Cellars in Jerome. See: Hop aboard a renovated vintage train and enjoy a 20-mile journey through colorful Verde Canyon. Take in the view on the Verde Canyon Railroad in Clarkdale as narration takes you back in time—audio points out interesting sights among the red rocks and explores more than a century of history over four hours. Open-air viewing cars put you closer to the action. Stay: Located on the Verde Valley Wine Trail, a stay at The Vineyards Bed & Breakfast in Cornville puts you within walking distance of four of the six Page Springs/Cornville wineries. Hop in the B&B’s Wine Trail Wagon (the owner’s minivan) and catch a ride to wineries and tasting rooms—or there’s always the on-property tiki bar. WILLCOX Sip: Explore the vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms of the Willcox wine region of southeast Arizona, which grows 74% of Arizona’s wine grapes and was granted AVA status. You could sip at every winery and tasting room in a weekend, but be sure to visit Coronado Vineyards, Keeling-Schaefer Vineyards and Zarpara Vineyard. See: Explore decades of historical conflict at Fort Bowie National Historic Site, a former United States military post that was built after the Battle of Apache Pass in July 1862. It became the headquarters for the U.S. Army’s fight against the Chiricahua Apaches. A 1.5-mile trail leads you to the visitor center and old Fort ruins. Stay: At the base of Chiricahua National Monument, Dos Cabezas Retreat in Willcox is a quiet property with stories to tell. Guest rooms are in historic adobe buildings, built in the 1870s and formerly owned by the president of the retired gold-, silver- and copper-producing Mascot Mine. LEARN MORE ABOUT ARIZONA’S WINE COUNTRY WHEN YOU LISTEN TO THE TRAVEL PODCAST AT THETRAVELPODCAST.COM/ARIZONA-WINE-REGION.
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