Filed under: top-feature, wine
Verde Valley Wine Trail
“Wine” and “Arizona” are two words that don’t seem to belong in the same sentence. Isn’t it too hot in that southwestern state for wine grapes? Nope.
And, to prove it, there’s the Verde Valley Wine Trail. Meander through this part of Northern Arizona, and you’ll have a chance to check out the region’s vineyards, wineries, tasting rooms, shops and restaurants.
The trail highlights the red rock countryside and lush canyons surrounding Cottonwood (map), Jerome (map), Sedona (map), Clarkdale (map), and Cornville (map). (Did I mention it’s the only Arizona wine trail?)
If you think about it, the Verde Valley is perfect for wine. Grapes, a contrarian fruit, do best when they’re under stress — such as in a rocky, seemingly inhospitable landscape. The more they have to fight for sun, for water, for nutrients — the more concentrated their flavor becomes.
The elevation and climate of the valley also contribute to the success of growing grapes. The Verde Valley is at the same elevation as much of the Middle East, where grapes were first domesticated and the first wine was made. The elevation — between 3,800 and 5,000 feet — combined with the right latitude provides an optimal climate for growing grapes. Besides, it’s hot during the day and cool at night: heat is required for sugar production and the cool nights are important for acid retention.
There are four wineries and five tasting rooms on the trail that offer a variety of wines. Of course, each has its own personality and distinct wines for visitors to discover along the trail.
The wineries:
- Alcantara Vineyards (3445 South Grapevine Way, Verde Valley, Arizona), the first winery on the Verde River is one of the largest vineyards in Central and Northern Arizona. Barbara Predmore, owner, produces 12 different varietals from more than 13,000 vines.
- Page Springs Cellars (1500 North Page Springs Road, Cornville, Arizona) features Rhône-style wines, and they can pack you a picnic lunch if you’d like and send you out bird-watching. It was founded by Eric Glomski in 2004. Although born in Chicago and raised in Boston, he moved to Arizona in his late teens. His wine-making experience came during a stint in California.
- Oak Creek Vineyards (1555 Page Springs Road, Cornville, Arizona), first opened by Deb Wahl in 2002, also offers cheeses, salami, and olives. She began her career in the industry as a wine broker but now enjoys the hands-on-aspect of production — everything from farming to bottling.
- Javelina Leap Vineyards (1565 Page Springs Road, Cornville, Arizona) prides itself in handcrafted wine produced one ton at a time. Owner Rod Snapp also serves as vice-president of the Arizona Wine Growers Association. He got his start as a winery wannabe in 2000, finally taking the plunge in 2004.
The tasting rooms — not located at their wineries:
- Caduceus Cellars, 158 Main Street, Jerome, Arizona. Maynard Keenan, lead singer of Tool is also the owner of Caduceus Cellars. He’s called Arizona home since 1995. His goal for his wine is the same as for his music: to make it ‘thick, dense, rich complex, engaging, emotional, and spiritual.” Taste it and see for yourself.
- Jerome Winery, 403 Clark Street, Jerome, Arizona. Although John McLoughlin’s grapes are grown in southern Arizona, he markets the resulting 30 handcrafted and individually distinct wines in the quaint mountain town of Jerome.
- Arizona Stronghold Vineyards, 1023 Main Street, Cottonwood, Arizona. Five blends created by winemakers Eric Glomski (Page Springs Cellars) and Maynard Keenan (Caduceus Cellars) are on offer at this tasting room in Old Town Cottonwood. Each of the wines has an historic Arizona Apache name: Tazi (eldest son of Cochise), Nachise (youngest warrior of the Chiricahua Apache), Mangus Coloradas (Cochise’s father-in-law), Dayden (“little girl” in Apache) and Dala (Apache for “one”).
- Pillsbury Wine Company, 1012 North Main Street, Cottonwood, Arizona. Also located in Old Town Cotttonwood, this tasting room features wines from the Pillsbury Vineyards and Freitas Vineyards. Pillsbury is owned by New Zealand film director and winemaker Sam Pillsbury, who uses only Arizona-grown grapes in his wines. Freitas Vineyards is a micro winery that produces small quantities of intensely hand-crafted estate wines in the European tradition.
- Bitter Creek Winery, 240 Hull Avenue, Jerome, Arizona. Although their vines grow in southeastern Arizona, the wines of Bitter Creek are tasted atop Cleopatra Hill in Jerome. Like the Jerome Winery, it’s owned — and operated — by John McLoughlin. Each wine has a Tarot card for the label. So far, nine have been produced (of a hoped-for 26-card set).
Don’t miss the Painted Barrels! The Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce sponsors this unique public art exhibit. A total of 40 wine barrels turned into canvases have been painted and placed all over Cottonwood and the Verde Valley to celebrate both the wine and the artists of the area.
If your travels take you to the region, check out the trail online before you plan your route. And save room in the trunk for some Arizona wine.
(Photo courtesy of Verde Valley Wine Trail)
2 Comments
Excellent information on visiting the Verde Valley Wine Trail. Once you’re done tasting, drive on down the road beyond Tucson to the Sonoita area for more Arizona wine. You are right, who would equate wine with Arizona? Now we know.