Exploring Wine Country Thanks to these curated tours, imbibers can sip and swirl safely as they visit a flight of wineries by bus, boat, Jeep or train. BY KERIDWEN CORNELIUS TOP TOURS FOR In 2021, Central Arizona’s Verde Valley became an American Viticultural Area, giving Arizona its third distinctive wine country. If you’re staying in the Scottsdale area and would like to daytrip to this lush riparian region, the AZ Wine Wagon whisks guests to three Verde Valley wineries, including Page Springs Cellars, where you can sample sangiovese and malvasia bianca overlooking sycamore-shaded Oak Creek. Travelers overnighting in Sedona or Cottonwood can opt for the Arizona Wine Crawler . This hop-on-hop-off service whistle-stops between 15 wineries and breweries in sylvan Page Springs, pastel-painted Old Town Cottonwood and historic Clarkdale. Outdoorsy oenophiles can splash out on Verde Adventures’ Water to Wine Tour , a kayaking trip on the Verde River to Alcantara Vineyards’ Tuscan villa-inspired tasting room. Or journey to the river and Alcantara in a 4x4 on A Day in the West’s Jeep Tour and Wine Tasting . For even more horsepower, ride the Verde Canyon Railroad’s Grape Train Escape , departing from Clarkdale once monthly from May through August. Passengers can sip local wines while chugging through the Verde Canyon as it turns golden at sunset. An entirely different terroir awaits in Southern Arizona, where you can immerse yourself in the champagne-colored grasslands of Sonoita and the Wild West flavor of Willcox. Arizona Winery Tours ushers guests from Tucson to three wineries and a restaurant in either Sonoita or Willcox. Alternatively, ride the hop-on-hop-off Sonoita Wine Shuttle and decant at your choice of 20 tasting rooms. At Rune Wines, score a seat under a sunshade and drink in sweeping prairie views while sipping wild-fermented syrah. And don’t miss Los Milics Vineyards from Pavle Milic, whose wine program at Scottsdale restaurant FnB was nominated for a James Beard Award. DA Ranch, Cornville 34 VISITARIZONA.COM JANELLE BONIFIELD
Arizona Official State Travel Guide Arizona 2022-23: Page 34
