View Northern Arizona Wineries Map in a larger map

Did you know that Arizona is home to 40 wineries and vineyards? It’s true. In fact, the Wall Street Journal recently acclaimed the Verde Valley as an emerging hotspot vying for Napa-like status¹. Prescott and the Verde Valley are home to hundreds of acres of vineyards, farmed by five distinct wineries. Go wine tasting in Arizona by taking winery tours to these Verde Valley area wineries, located within an hour’s drive between Prescott and Sedona in towns like Page Springs, Cottonwood and Jerome. Experience the wineries themselves or stay local and check out funky area wine bars where they serve Arizona wines. As the epicenter of Arizona wine country, the Verde Valley offers a tremendous opportunity for tourists and locals to taste some of the country’s best wines right here in one place.

Wineries:

Javelina Leap Winery and Vineyards
Tasting Room Open 11 AM to 5 PM Daily. Located 90 minutes from Prescott just outside Sedona in historic Page Springs valley on
the slopes of a volcanic mountain, overlooking Oak Creek.
1565 North Page Springs Rd, Cornville
(928) 649-2681
www.javelinaleapwinery.com

Page Springs Vineyards & Cellars
Tasting room open daily 11am-6pm. Nestled along the banks of the Verde Valley’s famous Oak Creek. Page Springs vintner Eric Glomski offers visitors unforgettable syrah, petite sirah, and more.
1500 North Page Springs Rd, Cornville
(928) 639-3004
www.pagespringscellars.com

Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery
Enjoy a spacious, gravious and newly renovated tasting room where you can sip wine, eat cheese and chat with the friendly staff. If you find something you love while you’re there, Oak Creek Vineyards offers a VIP Club and wines shipped right to you.
1555 North Page Springs Rd, Cornville
(928) 649-0290
www.oakcreekvineyards.net

Echo Canyon Vineyard and Winery
No scheduled wine tastings but visitors are encouraged to call or email for information. Visit their website for contact information and to order wines online. Located 90 minutes from Prescott.
3222 N Echo Canyon Rd, Cornville
Access via 2 mile dirt road
(928) 634-8122
www.echocanyonwinery.com

Granite Creek Vineyards
Open for tastings Friday-Sunday 1-5pm. Award winning, family owned winery located 20 minutes from Prescott in Chino Valley, Arizona. One of few U.S. 100% Certified Organic wineries.
2515 Road 1 East, Chino Valley
(928) 636-2003
www.granitecreekvineyards.com

Alcantara Vineyards
Tasting room open daily 11am-5pm. Taste 5 of Alcanterra’s outstanding wines. Check out Arizona winery tours and tasting with an outstanding selection of wines, made right here in Arizona.
7500 Alcantara Way, Cottonwood
(928) 649-8463
www.alcantaravineyard.com

Juniper Well Ranch Winery
Tasting room open every weekend from noon to 6PM. Juniper Well Ranch has planted over two acres of vineyards featuring the Spanish Tempranillo grape.  We are also growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Pino Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Malbec, many which were first planted in 2004 and harvested in Fall 2008. Enjoy seasonal events, bring a picnic or purchase one of the winery’s cheese plates and enjoy the Fiesta Patio.
10080 W. Tough Country Trail, Skull Valley
(928) 442-3415
www.juniperwellranch.com

Verde Valley Wine Tasting:

Jerome Winery
Located between Prescott and Sedona in historic Jerome, featuring over 30 local wines. Want a good story paired with a good glass of local wine? Head to Jerome Winery just off the main strip.
403 N Clark St, Jerome
(928) 639-9067
www.jeromewinery.com

The Art of Wine
Wine tasting 7 days a week in Uptown Sedona. The Art of Wine is dedicated to selling wines as stunning as the red rock landscape. All of their wines are produced locally.
Pinon Pointe Shops
101 N Hwy 89A, B-9
(877) 903-WINE
www.artowine.com

Arizona Stronghold Vineyards Tasting Room
Tasting Room open 365 days a year.
Enjoy wines in a confortable, relaxing environment while exploring the eclectic shops, galleries, antiques, restaurants and cafes of Historic Old Town Cottonwood.
1023 North Main Street, Cottonwood
(928) 639-2789
www.arizonastrongholdvineyards.com

Pillsbury Wine Company North
Tasting Room Hours: 11am-6pm. Sun.-Wed.; 11am-8pm Thurs.-Sat., closed major holidays.
Serves delicious wines from Pillsbury’s vineyard in Cochise County and local wine from Freitas Vineyard in Cottonwood.
1012 North Main Street, Cottonwood
(928) 639-0646
www.pillsburywinecompany.com

Bitter Creek Winery
Located in historic Jerome. Experience exquisite hand-crafted wines while overlooking the Verde Valley.
240 Hull Ave, Jerome
(928) 634-7033
www.bittercreekwinery.com

¹_{Karp, H. (May 25, 2007), United States of Wine, Wall Street Journal}

Okay, this is such a cool idea… and I mean “cool” literally.  Get out of the summer heat of Phoenix (or whereever you are) and escape to the cool high-country of the Verde Valley for this ongoing summer event.  Take the Verde Canyon Railroad’s “Grape Escape” and enjoy great wines, good food and splendid scenery.

Gazing at the glorious expanse of Verde Canyon in full summer bloom, while sipping a fine wine in the luxuriating comfort of a Verde Canyon Railroad, is the epitome of bliss.  The Grape Train Escape wine-tasting events sweep into this serene wilderness sanctuary on select Friday evenings between June 5th and September 4th.  The lavish service is non-stop from the time the train departs the depot at 5:30 p.m. for a round trip to the ghost ranch of Perkinsville until returning at 9:30 p.m.

For info: www.verdecanyonrr.com

The first wine delight is savored with accompanying exotic appetizers as the train leaves the station. The setting sun’s interplay of light and shadow casts entrancing illuminations on the red rock cliffs and the valley’s lush foliage takes on a glow of spun gold. World-renowned photographers have dubbed this the “magic hour” for capturing awe-inspiring images.

Between the delectable foods and a variety of superb wines, passengers merrily move back and forth between the climate-controlled coaches and the open-air car’s refreshing breezes offering up 360 degree views. The softening light entices elk, deer, fox and many forest creatures to the water’s edge of the Verde River for a reviving drink. Great blue heron, ducks and other waterfowl cruise the river in the fading light.

The train’s narrator enriches the journey with fascinating facts of the area’s history, geology, archaeology, and ecology, spiced with humor-tinged folklore.

On the return trip from Perkinsville darkness falls over the canyon. It’s time for a dessert wine, fruit and chocolate as nature stages her celestial extravaganza. The night sky is splayed with the diamond brilliance of stars, the beguiling moonbeam’s hint of romance, and mystifying shapes from the train’s headlight dance on the canyon walls.

Throughout the journey favorite wines are available in full bottles or by the glass, as are cocktails, beer and specialty train drinks.

Slip away from the city and board a Grape Train Escape for an evening of divine pleasure.   This popular excursion runs on the following Fridays:  June 5 & 19, July 10 & 24, August 7 & 28, and Sept. 4, 2009.  For reservations call 1-800-293-7245 or book on-line at www.verdecanyonrr.com. Extend your stay at one of our comfortable area inns listed on our Web site.

The Verde Canyon Railroad depot is located in Clarkdale, 25 minutes from Sedona, two hours north of Phoenix and one and one-half hours south of Flagstaff. Passengers are encouraged to arrive approximately one and one-half hours prior to departure.

photo credit: HA! Designs - artbyheather on flickr.com

Looking for a place to honor your mom this weekend?  Check out these Mother’s Day Weekend activities around Arizona.

Sedona

Mother’s Day Brunch at Joey Bistro:

May 10
“Mama mia”… those will be the only two words you’ll be able to speak after celebrating an incredible Mother’s Day at Joey Bistro, thanks to an exquisite menu planned and prepared for “Felice Festa, Cara Mama” by Los Abrigados Resort & Spa Chef de Cuisine Mike Kenyon. Make your reservations now, to Northern Arizona’s finest dining establishment specializing in Southern Italian Cuisine, a retreat away from the ordinary and detour towards delightful delicacies. Trust us, mom is worth it!

For a modest price of $36 per adult, $15 kids 5 through 12, and complimentary under 5, visit the extravagance and taste the culture of Italy at Los Abrigados Resort & Spa’s Joey Bistro. Experience “Felice Festa, Cara Mama,” during one of six seating times: 10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1 p.m., or 1:15 p.m., show your love with class and dine on food “ta die for!”

For reservations call Los Abrigados Resort & Spa Concierge Staff at 282-0189. Joey Bistro, located at Los Abrigados Resort & Spa at 160 Portal Lane adjacent to Tlaquepaque, is open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. For more information, call 204-JOEY (5639).

Prescott

Granite Creek Vineyards 5th Annual Mother’s day Wine & Art Fair

May 09 to May 10
This Mother’s Day treat Mom to tastes of award-winning wines, live music, fresh and barbequed foods, and handcrafted local art, all part of the festivities taking place at the Vineyards. The extraordinary Dublin Soul, with traditional and original Irish music will be performing Saturday; Sunday will feature outstanding vocalist Vyktoria Pratt-Keating. Admission is $8.00 ($3.00 for case club members) and includes wine tasting, a souvenir wine glass, and entry to a memorable day with family and friends.
www.granitecreekvineyards.com

Flagstaff

Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch at Little America Hotel

May 10
Come celebrate Mother’s Day at The Little America Hotel in Flagstaff. Our Mother’s Day brunch brings the whole family together to help celebrate one of the most important days of the year.

Here, a sample of the culinary selections that will be presented:

• Belgian Waffles and Omelets Prepared to Order
• Hot and Cold Seafood
• Carving Stations
• Hot Entrees & Side Dishes
• Chocolate Fountain and Assorted Desserts

Champagne included! Adults are $36.95, Children 7 -11 are $16.95. Children 6 and under are free.

Open seating, no reservations will be taken.

You can even stay the night on May 9 or 10 and receive a coupon for 15% off the Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch!

Visit our website for full menu and more information. Or call 928.779.7979.

Scottsdale

Mother’s Day Concert with Esteban

May 10

Join the Desert Botanical Garden for an annual tradition by bringing mom and the family to enjoy the incredible sounds of Estéban in Concert. Two shows available / 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. OR 4 – 6 p.m. Tickets are $65 for the concert and lunch, or $45 for the concert only.

www.dbg.org
or call (480) 481-8188.