While the Sonoran Desert might not conjure images of elegant chateaus surrounded by verdant vineyards, the Grand Canyon State has supported grape growing and wine producing for thousands of years.
Today, more than 150 wineries are concentrated in three main American Viticultural Areas (AVAs): Sonoita/Elgin, located an hour south of Tucson near the Mexico border; Willcox in the southeastern corner of the state; and the Verde Valley, about two hours north of Phoenix..
“Arizona wines are very terroir-driven, with distinct characteristics from different parts of the state,” says Peggy Fiandaca, past president of the Arizona Wine Growers Association and co-owner of Pearce-based LDV Winery. “The volcanic granite soils [found in the Willcox AVA] impart a nice minerality and tartness to the wines’ flavor profiles. In areas like the Verde Valley, wines tend to have a higher acidity due to the limestone soil.”
Most Arizona wineries welcome guests for tastings, tours, and even overnight stays at their vineyards. But you don’t need to travel out of town to sip Chardonnay, Syrah, or Sauvignon Blanc. Restaurants, bars, and tasting rooms across Greater Phoenix offer flights, bottles, tasting events, and more.
The Scottsdale Wine Trail in Old Town is a collective of six tasting rooms that joined forces to bring exposure to the state’s growing wine industry. Purchase an official Scottsdale Wine Trial Passport for discounts at member tasting rooms. With these 11 places, enjoy a vino-centric adventure through Arizona’s wine country, without leaving the Valley.
The Wine Collective
If you’ve never tried Arizona wines, The Wine Collective is a great place to start. This tasting room with a large patio in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale offers about 40 different wines by the glass — bubby, white, rose, red, and sweet — from makers throughout the state.
To fully explore, go for one of four wine flights that showcase four two-ounce pours each. Light bites, including charcuterie and locally made chocolates, also are available. The Wine Collective, a member of the Scottsdale Wine Trail, holds pairing classes, workshops, cooking classes, and Meet the Winemaker events. And its wine club, The Collective Club, explores new varietals and wineries each month. 4020 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, the-wine-collective.com
LDV Winery
This award-winning winery and member of the Scottsdale Wine Trail has vineyards located in the Chiricahua Mountains. Here it focuses on wines produced from Rhone-varietal grapes: Viognier, Grenache, Syrah, and Petite Sirah. Try a Wine Concierge-guided tasting or grab your favorite glass and relax on the patio just steps away from the Arizona Canal. Regular events include charcuterie-making classes, pairings with chocolate or cheese, and aromatherapy classes that help you expand your ability to distinguish wine’s aroma characteristics. 7134 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, ldvwinery.com
Los Milics Vineyards
Co-owner and winemaker Pavle Milic is one of the most beloved and pioneering figures in the Valley’s restaurant scene. His work at FnB helped the fine-dining spot earn numerous accolades, including James Beard Award nominations.
As a member of the Scottsdale Wine Trail, Milic brings that same passion to his Elgin-based vineyards and Scottsdale tasting room. The dark, intimate space with an urban edge offers flights, glasses, and bottles of Los Milics’ award-winning wines. Sample lesser-known varietals such as Tannat, Vermentino, or Graciano, or sip blends of Grenache and Mourvèdre, Marsanne and Malvasia Bianca, or Montepulciano and Petit Verdot. 4151 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, losmillicsvineyards.com
Aridus Wine Company
This Willcox-based winery’s Old Town tasting room is decked out in reclaimed and natural materials. That includes a long bar crafted from barrel staves, giving the venue a warm, laid-back vibe that encourages kicking back with good friends and award-winning wine.
Try one of four themed tastings that include four pours each or sample one of 20 vintages available by glass or bottle. A menu of small bites, including charcuterie boards and flatbreads, complements the wine list. Aridus Wine Company is also a member of the Scottsdale Wine Trail. 7173 E. Main St., Scottsdale, ariduswineco.com
Carlson Creek
Learn about the wines, the winemaking process, and the evolution of Arizona’s wine industry at the Old Town tasting room of this family-owned Willcox-based winery on the Scottsdale Wine Trail. The 2,300-square-foot space is decorated with rustic vineyard flair. The main space includes a distressed copper bar atop wine barrels, barrel stave wall art, and an art deco tin ceiling. There’s also a private room for special events.
In warmer months, try the Malvasia Bianca, Grenache rose, or Sweet Adeline White, a refreshing blend of Riesling and Muscat. When the mercury trends down, go for the Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Rule of Three which includes Malbec, Sangiovese, and Syrah. 4142 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, carlsoncreek.com
Salvatore Vineyards
As a member of the Scottsdale Wine Trail, Salvatore Vineyards is part of the Domanico family of wines including Passion Cellars and Cabal Cellars. However, this boutique winery produces small-batch wines from its Elgin and Willcox vineyards.
Stop by for a sample of the full-bodied Salvatore Cerca made with Aglianico grapes or the Salvatore Reserve Sangiovese. Only 75 cases of this dark cherry and tobacco-forward varietal that was aged in French oak for 48 months were produced, so make sure to get there soon. 7103 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, passioncellars.com
FnB
Come for chef Charleen Badman’s James Beard Award-winning comfort cuisine. Stay for beverage maestro Pavle Miclic’s much-lauded wine list. The Arizona-centric list champions local vintners and showcases the depth and quality of the state’s wine regions. Choose from a broad selection of whites, roses, reds, and even a bubbly from such respected wineries as Doz Cabezas, Sand-Reckoner, Carlson Creek, Arizona Stronghold, Caduceus, and AZ Hops and Vines, among others. 7125 E. Fifth Ave., Scottsdale, fbnrestaurant.com
GenuWine Arizona
Arizona’s first self-serve wine bar allows guests to sample sips from some of the state’s top wineries in a relaxed atmosphere. Using a rechargeable wine card, simply choose your preferred bottle from the 24-tap wine dispenser and select your preferred pour size including a taste, half glass, or full glass.
GenuWine features a rotating menu of favorites from about a dozen Arizona wineries, such as Dos Cabezos, Rune, Flying Leap, Page Springs, and more, along with a menu of small plates, charcuterie, flatbreads, and desserts. Wine tasting has never been easier. 888 N. First Ave., Phoenix, genuwinearizona.com
Far Away Wine & Provisions
Walking into this tiny strip mall bottle shop is like entering your own living room. Sure, there are shelves stocked with bottles from around the world, but the cozy couches, walls lined with posters of rock bands, bar tiled with old cassette tapes, and collection of albums that guests can browse and even play lends a homey vibe.
Owners Pat Jasmin and Chris French tend to keep a couple local wines on the glass list, but there’s always a rotating selection of bottles available to purchase from wineries including Los Milics, Arizona Stronghold, Dos Cabezas, and Cactus Cru. Stop by for a sip, spin some tunes, and buy a bottle or two to take home. 3031 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, farawaywineaz.com
Beckett’s Table
The wine list at chef Justin Beckett’s Arcadia eatery has earned the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 11 years in a row. Much of that is owed to the fact that Beckett and his team embrace local purveyors, ensuring the freshest flavors and ingredients. The world-class wine list showcases a collection of glasses and bottles from Arizona’s top winemakers, including Los Milics, Caduceus, Tumbleweed, Dos Cabezas, Rune, Laramita Cellars, and many more. 3717 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, beckettstable.com
Garage-East
This wine bar is unlike any other tasting room or bar you’ll find in the Valley. First, its bucolic setting in the heart of Agritopia’s Barnone craftsman community is the perfect backdrop for a gathering of friends, a romantic date night, or a lazy afternoon spent relaxing in the sun.
Second, you won’t find the wines served at Garage-East at any other bar in the Valley. That’s because this farm winery works with Arizona growers to make its own blends and bottles. Sample a flight of 10 different wines served in one-ounce test tubes or savor a full pour while dining on a menu of shareable plates, salads, and paninis.
Try the signature canned Garage East Breakfast Wine made with white wine and fruit juice or the Sonoran Spritz, a bittersweet bright orange take on an Aperol Spritz. 3000 E. Ray Rd., Gilbert, garage-east.com
