Arizona is one of the most interesting states in the union for a number of reasons, but perhaps my favorite is the climate.
In just a number of hours, you can go from a frigid November day in Show Low to bright and toasty sunshine in Phoenix.
The entire state is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, with hiking, mountain biking, camping, and rock climbing all within a few hours’ drive of each other.
But what about wine? I’m a big fan of wine, and one of the things I love most about visiting Arizona is the abundance of wineries dotting the landscape.
The widely varying terroir of the state, from the high desert of Sedona to the cooler climate of Willcox, means that there is a wide variety of wines being produced. And because of the state’s close proximity to California, many of the top wineries in the world have tasting rooms here.
So whether you’re a casual wine drinker or a diehard oenophile, there’s something for you in Arizona. Here are a few of my favorite places to go wine tasting in Arizona.
Where to Go for Wine Tasting in Arizona
- Caduceus Cellars
- Carlson Creek Vineyard
- Chateau Tumbleweed
- Dos Cabezas WineWorks
- Acantara Vineyards
- Callaghan Vineyards
- Page Springs Cellars
- Blendz
1. Caduceus Cellars
Located in Jerome, Caduceus Cellars is one of the most popular wineries in Arizona. The tasting room is situated in an old mining town, and the views from the deck are simply stunning.
The wines here are top-notch, and the staff is always happy to chat about them.
This tasting room sits atop the largest copper mine in the west, which was once a hotbed of activity, producing 3 million pounds of copper every month.
Today, it’s nearly a ghost town, but it’s a cool and quiet place to enjoy some world-class wine and marvel at the mysterious history.
Their wines are incredibly unique, and you can practically taste the rich minerals within. From the hard-to-find Petnat varietal to the spicy Sancha, there’s something new for you here.
You may also want to check out a few sister vineyards as well, including the farm-to-table Merkin Vineyards Osteria in Cottonwood, the swanky Merkin location in Old Town Scottsdale, or the rustic Four Eight Wineworks in Jerome.
2. Carlson Creek Vineyard
Scottsdale is home to a lot of fun activities like the Frank Lloyd Wright home Taliesin West, the OdySea Aquarium, and McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.
But if you’re into wine, you’ll want to check out Carlson Creek Vineyard, one of the best places for wine tasting in Arizona.
This family-owned vineyard produces some fantastic wines, including a beautiful Pinot Noir that was one of my favorites. The tasting room is cozy and inviting, with a fireplace and comfortable armchairs.
They have a 280-acre vineyard that takes advantage of the bright daytime sunlight and the crisp cool nights to make some of the most unique and flavorful wines you’ll try.
The staff here are incredibly knowledgeable about their wines and are always happy to answer any questions you might have.
They also offer a wine club, which is a great way to explore their wines in-depth and get access to exclusive events.
3. Chateau Tumbleweed
Chateau Tumbleweed is located in Clarkdale, Arizona, and is one of the most unique wineries in the state.
The wines here are all made from fruits and vegetables (that’s right, vegetables) that are grown on-site, using sustainable farming practices.
The vineyard was started by a group of friends who were passionate about making their own wine and had a penchant for the unusual. They now offer a wide variety of wines, from dry reds to sweet dessert wines.
The tasting room is located in an old stagecoach stop, and the vibe is very rustic and charming. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and they’re always happy to chat about the wines and the farm.
This is a great place to visit if you’re looking for something a little different. And even if you’re not into wine, the farm is still worth a visit. The grounds are beautiful, and you can purchase produce to take home with you.
4. Dos Cabezas WineWorks
Dos Cabezas WineWorks is located in Sonoita, Arizona, and is one of the top producers of Spanish-style wines in the state.
The winery is situated on a beautiful piece of property, and the tasting room has stunning views of the surrounding mountains and countryside.
The wines here are all made using traditional Spanish methods, and they offer a wide variety of styles, from whites and rosés to reds and fortified wines.
Sonoita is one of the most prominent wine-producing areas of the state, and Dos Cabezas WineWorks is one of the best wineries in the area. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and they offer a wide variety of wine tastings and tours.
They also host private tastings and have two places for you to stay on site while you’re in town.
5. Alcantara Vineyards
They say don’t drink and drive, but what about drinking and kayaking? If you get with Sedona Adventure Tours, you can kayak to Alcantara Vineyards.
They have Water to Wine tours that take you along the gorgeous, cottonwood-lined Verde River. You’ll see blue herons, bald eagles, beavers, and mule dear on your way to the vineyard. When you arrive, you’ll get a $20 credit to sample the wine.
Alcantara has over 17 varietals from more than 20,000 vines. The peaceful surroundings include the Verde River, a picnic area, and plenty of wildlife. This vineyard has been family owned since 2004.
The rocky limestone soil makes for some fantastic wines and you can sip them while you enjoy the Hispanic architecture. The tastings may cost money, but the tours and the atmosphere are free.
6. Callaghan Vineyards
Situated in Elgin, Arizona, Callaghan Vineyards is one of the top producers of Rhône-style wines in the state.
The vineyard was started by a husband, wife, and daughter in 1990 when the summer heat was so unexpectedly intense that they lost several thousand vines.
These days, they keep an eye on the future with rootstock that is better suited to their sun-bleached, arid, windy weather. They let go of their Bordeaux-style longings and embraced the Spanish varieties instead.
This vineyard is unique in that they let the terroir and the weather determine the success of their vines and they don’t attempt to manipulate the growing season in any way. They let nature take its course, and the result is some fantastic wines.
The vineyard offers tours, tastings, and private events like Blending 101, a Library Tasting, and New Release parties. They also have a Delivery To Go option on their website if you want to order in advance.
7. Page Springs Cellars
Looking for relaxing yoga sessions or hoop-dancing classes in the vineyard? Look no further than Page Springs Cellars in Cornville, Arizona. They offer tastings, tours, and events. There’s also private creek access for guests only.
The goal is to make you feel like family while allowing you to relax with a glass of wine. Their wines exhibit the unique character of the vineyards where they’re grown and the people who make them.
This is one of the leading wineries in sustainability, and their practices are designed to protect and improve the environment. The vineyard is powered by solar panels, and they use recycled materials in their construction.
The wines here are all made with organic grapes, and they offer a wide variety of styles, from whites and rosés to reds and fortified wines.
8. Blendz
As the name indicates, this is where you can experiment with your own wine blends. For a small fee, you get to choose five of the 20 wines they have on tap. Then, using a wine pipette, you play the winemaker.
You can make as many blends as you want, and when you find one you like, they’ll bottle it for you. They also have a retail shop where you can purchase wine, cheese, chocolate, and other gourmet foods.
Blendz purchases wines from other wineries in Arizona and California rather than making their own, but the appeal is in the experience. They only select the best and they continue to grow their wine collection all the time.
