Arizona Wine

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Wine has been produced in the state of Arizona for centuries. As is the story with California and other states in the Southwestern US, vineyards were first planted by Spanish missionaries making sacramental wine. But wine production never gained much momentum, and the Prohibition and Depression put the kibosh on what little there was of it for decades. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the Arizona wine industry began an earnest growth.

For the most part, Arizona is just too hot and dry to grow grapes with a long enough ripening season to produce decent wines. But locations with higher elevations and cooler temperatures have a chance at better grape balance and quality wines. For this reason, most of Arizona’s wineries are concentrated in these areas. The state’s only AVA, Sonoita, covers a large area in the southeast corner of the state, in the valleys at the slopes of the Santa Rita, Huachuca, and Whetsone mountains. In addition to the higher altitudes, this area also has free Read more »

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Popular wines made in Arizona under $20

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Varietals Produced in Arizona View all

Cabernet Sauvignon

“King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...
Syrah

The irony here is that Syrah’s origins could give Carmen Sandiego a run for her international wallet. Syrah’s deepest...
Zinfandel

Parentage of the grape: Crljenak to Austria to America. In the 1970s, claims surfaced that the Italian Primitivo is l...
Merlot

The Occitanian word “merlot” translates to “young blackbird.” An accurate description for this popular, early-budding...

Subregions of Arizona

Popular Wineries in Arizona View all

Canelo Hills Vineyard and Winery

In 2003, Tim and Joan Mueller established Canelo Hills Vineyard and Winery on 10 acres in the hea...
Echo Canyon Vineyard & Winery

Once upon a time .....about 100 years ago, Echo Canyon was the site of a farm that produced fruit...
Colibri Vineyard & Winery

The Arch My wife Mickey and I were looking for a retreat from our busy lives with stressful profe...
Callaghan Vineyards

My parents (Harold and Karen) and I planted our Buena Suerte Vineyard in May/June of 1990. Our pl...
The Village of Elgin Winery

The Village of Elgin Winery is the largest producer of wine in the Sonoita AVA. This family owned...
Sonoita Vineyards

The oldest commercial vineyard in the region, Sonoita Vineyards opened in 1983 and now includes ...

People getting updates on Arizona Wines

Page 1 of 11
Arizona on Snooth

May 2013

Ok, sucker that I am, I got lured back into the 5-cent sale at Bev Mo. ... into other areas of CA and Arizona, as I understand. Wilfred Wong, a local wine judge and critic, is their "cellar master". I have LOATHED his reviews, especially when it comes to his role as "cellar master" of a chain that deals in distributed, often mass-produced w... Read More

Forum post in the topic WHEN will I EVER learn?!?!
May 2013

Arizona Stronghold Mandala 2010

Snoothrank:

Very nice red. Pairs great with small storms, granite counters and hardwood floors. Very well may have soothed the Owl from "highly pissed" down to "terribly annoyed". Read More

Wine review by Mosca
February 2013

My friends moved recently to Phoenix, so on my first visit there, we ventured ... some of the wine country in Arizona. I wasn't able to get notes from every winery, but the ones I did are included here. Some tasty surprises and some are near Sedona, which is a beautiful destination to visit.We began at Alcantara Vineyard. Nice property with... Read More

Forum post in the topic Arizona Wineries Day
February 2013

Freitas Vineyard Petite Sirah 2008

Snoothrank:

Spice and dark fruits on the nose. Some funk aromas. Great structure and silky tannins and loads of dark fruit. Nice wine.88 pts.10/31/12 Read More

Wine review by VegasOenophile
February 2013

Freitas Vineyard Ray's Red 2008

Snoothrank:

Lush red nose. Cherry and strawberry aromas. Cherries and a hint of currant on the palate with a light mint quality.87 pts.10/31/12 Read More

Wine review by VegasOenophile
February 2013

Freitas Vineyard Sangiorose 2010

Snoothrank:

Flavors of watermelon and light red fruit. Crisp, dry and nice. Creamy texture.84 pts.10/31/12 Read More

Wine review by VegasOenophile
February 2013

Freitas Vineyard Malvasia Bianca 2010

Snoothrank:

Very aromatic with white flowers jumping form the glass. Luscious, exotic fruit flavors on the palate. Nicely balanced acid and a lasting finish. Nice.86 pts.10/31/12 Read More

Wine review by VegasOenophile
February 2013

Dionysian Cellars Barbera 2010

Snoothrank:

Lots of clove and purple fruit on the nose. Flavors of clove, nutmeg and light red fruits. Mouth filling and rich. Purple flavors also. Good acid. Suited for pasta.86 pts.10/31/12 Read More

Wine review by VegasOenophile
February 2013

Javelina Leap Legacy Estate Reserve Zinfandel 2011

Snoothrank:

88 pts. Read More

Wine review by VegasOenophile
February 2013

Javelina Leap Barbera 2011

Snoothrank:

Funk on the nose. Lots of boysenberry aromas. Flavors of complex spice and light pepper. Good acid, big and lush wine. Nice boysenberry and finishes pretty. 87 pts.10/31/12 Read More

Wine review by VegasOenophile
Dec 29, 2010

And if you like lighter reds, Page Springs has released a wonderful light red that is 100% counoise. It is absolutely wonderful. My husband's favorite is their El Serrano which is a BIG red :)

Comment by 650503aphelps 650503
Dec 29, 2010

I definitely recommend Page Springs Cellars. We got engaged up there and have since become members of their wine release. They are getting better and better with each bottle. Glomski and Maynard have definitely put AZ on the map with Page Springs, Merkin/Caduceus, and Arizona Stronghold! All three are wonderful wine producers!

Comment by 650503aphelps 650503