I discovered Arizona wineries several years ago. They are all over the state. The ones in Northern Arizona center around the Verde Valley. The ones in Southeast Arizona are in Wilcox, and the Sonoita-Elgin region. I am most familiar with the ones in the southeast. Plan on taking two days to go wine tasting. From the B&B, Wilcox is about 50 miles south east on I-10. There are 8 wineries open in the Wilcox vicinity, 5 of which are close together in downtown Wilcox. Mike can tell you which ones to visit and which to avoid. I think he's been to all of them.
The Sonoita/Elgin area is about 30 miles south and a little west of the B&B on highway 82. There are 12 wineries open in the area and they are all rather close together. This trip I visited 3.
Kief-Joshua is my favorite. I'm a member of their wine club. They have a great mix of reds and whites. I personally favor the reds. They give generous tastings. This last trip there were over 10 wines you could taste and they provide crackers to cleanse your palate after you taste the wine. They also have meat and cheese for sale if you're hungry.
The wine tasting is right through the door. It's a large room with tables, and there is also a patio with seating. I bought a case of mixed reds. The cost is inexpensive and there is a discount if you bring your own wine glass.
This is Wilhelm Family Vineyards. Their wine is also very good. They also have a great mix of reds and whites. Their tastings are very generous. This trip there were about 6 samples available to taste. I bought a bottle of red. One of their top wines is a red "Patroit Salute." It's excellent.
A view of their vineyard. Looks like they're doing some work.
This is Dos Cabezas. This is my first visit but certainly not my last. Like the other wineries they also have generous tastings and provide a multitude of samples to taste. I bought 2 bottles of reds.
Just so you know, I was the designated driver and only sampled about 2 wines per winery.
Right next door to Dos Cabezas is this restaurant. I had lunch here on a wine excursion two year ago, so we decided to have a late lunch after this wine tasting. The food is very good and the servers are very entertaining. It was a fun lunch.
The Double D's!!!! Get your mind out of the gutter, it stands for Debbie and Debbie. They are both named
Debbie. It was a fun lunch. Debbie with the dark framed glasses is a fanatic 49er fan and has no use for Seattle and we heard all about it and it was very funny. She is the owner of the restaurant. The other Debbie has worked there for 30 years. When you have lunch ask them what the difference is between a toilet and a waitress.
I have been to Napa, Ca. many times and it is very nice and a lot of fun. However, it has gotten very crowded and expensive. Southern Arizona is not crowded, or expensive. The wine is excellent. It is easily accessible and dining opportunities are very good.
To promote the Arizona wine industry there is a Wine Travel Card that gives discounts on purchases at wineries throughout Arizona. It also gives special offers and event invites to cardholders. Information on this card can be found here.
http://az.winetravelcard.com/purchase/product/1
Photo credit for the Double D's goes to Mike Hug.
