A Barrel of Fun in Verde Valley

First there were the famous cows lining the streets of U.S. cities and now the Painted Barrels of the Verde Valley Wine Trail.  Hailed as an event where wine and art come together for a good cause, these painted wine barrels highlight the great wineries and tasting rooms of the red rock country in Cottonwood, Jerome, Sedona, Clarkdale, and Cornville, Arizona.

Four wineries and four tasting rooms on the Verde Valley Wine Trail offer a variety of skillfully crafted wines to satisfy any wine enthusiast.  Whether you like Syrah, Petite Sirah, Viognier, Rousanne, Zinfandel, Merlot, Chardonnay each winery has its own unique personality and distinct wines. Eat at terrific restaurants, sip wine at a tasting room owned by a Rock Star and enjoy a picnic on the lawn of a family owned and operated vineyard.

To bring about awareness of the Wine Trail and raise funds for a local school program, forty painted wine barrels are on display and sprinkled around Cottonwood, Sedona and the Verde Valley.  The barrels will be auctioned off with proceeds going to support the Yavapai College Viticulture Program located in Cottonwood.

The Yavapai College Viticulture Program, the first viticulture program in Arizona, is modeled after the best programs in California and provides the education needed to obtain a job in the Arizona wine industry. This summer, Yavapai College planted their very first acre of vineyards to assist in the education of their students and has 15 more acres reserved for planting of new vineyards.

The Painted Barrels of the Verde Valley Wine Trail.

Local artists including renowned Navajo artist, Baje Whitethorne, Sr. have created unique and whimsical designs, three dimensional appliqués, and art that really show off the beauty of the Cottonwood, Sedona area.  All of the Painted Barrels, artist biographies, and locations can be found on their web site and the Painted Barrels even have their own Facebook and Twitter pages.  Check out these social media outlets for contests and prizes.  Visitors will also be able to connect with the artists on Artist Days when the artists will be at their barrel location demonstrating their talents.

More than good wine, art and food, The Painted Barrels is a tribute to both the rich artists and wine maker communities of Northern Arizona.

Photos courtesy of the Verde Valley Wine Trail