Arizona Wine Country 2019 by Wick Communications

ARIZONA

Wine Country

Sonoita & Elgin

2019 | A PRODUCT OF H ERALD/R EVIEW M EDIA

Arizona Wine Country

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What’s inside WINERY PROFILES

Callaghan Vineyards

allaghan Vineyards is a family-owned and -operated winery located off of Elgin Road in Sonoita and is in its 29th year. The business was founded by Kent Callaghan and his parents Karen and Harold in 1990 after the family decided to open their own winery based on their love of

European wines. They offer a wide range of dry wines: dry whites, dry roses, dry reds, a dessert wine and sparkling wines to their customers. The owners pride themselves on spending most of their time in the vineyards to offer the best possible product. Their indoor tasting room

includes a souvenir 21-ounce crystal glass for $10. Bottles can be purchased, but not opened, on the vineyard property. The company prides itself on its numerous accolades and being served at the White House four times, with the most recent being for the Governor’s Dinner in January 2017.

Best Western Plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Canyon Vista Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Deep Sky Vineyards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Kief-Joshua Vineyards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Lightning Ridge Cellars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Rancho Milagro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Sierra Vista Medical Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sonoita Vineyards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Tia Nita’s Cantina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Valor Hospice Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Xanadu Ranch Getaway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Address: 336 Elgin Road, Elgin, AZ 85611 Phone: 520-455-5322 Website: callaghanvineyards. com/ Hours: Thursday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A PUBLICATION OF

Publisher: Jennifer Sorenson Editor: Tim Woods Advertising Manager: Kelsey Laggan Advertising Rep: Melissa Sawa, Alex Hildenbrandt

CALLAGHAN VINEYARDS

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Arizona Wine Country

Arizona Hops & Vines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Callaghan Vineyards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Charron Vineyards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Copper Brothel Brewery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Copper Hop Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Dos Cabezas Wineworks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Flying Leap Winery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 JB Vineyards and Cafe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Kief-Joshua Vineyards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Lightning Ridge Cellars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Rancho Rossa Vineyards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Rune Wines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Sonoita Vineyards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Village of Elgin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Wilhelm Family Vineyards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Stories by: Shar Porier, Alexis Ramanjulu, Dana Cole, Eric Petermann, Emily Ellis, Jamie Verwys Photos by: Mark Levy, submitted

n i g l E f o e g a l l i The V

The distillery’s team has a localfirst attitude that transcends into its production. “We hand craft every aspect of our production,” Ellan said. “We malt, grind, ferment, distill, age, and package on site. We use Arizonagrown produce and grains. ‘Local first’ is our prime directive, from Mexican bottles to local botanicals.” Like its winery, the distillery has

its own history. It’s the first licensed craft distillery in the state, Ellan said. But it doesn’t stop there. The village is a triple threat — it also has its own brewery. Like its other products, the village’s brewery strives to serve beer with distinct “Arizona characteristics,” Ellan said, with locally-sourced ingredients.

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Address: 471 Elgin Rd, Elgin, AZ 85611 Hours: Sunday to Friday 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. — 5 p.m.

THE VILLAGE OF ELGIN

he Village of Elgin Wines produces wines from more than 30 different types of grapes, all grown in southeastern Arizona and is the second oldest winery in the state. “Bill Letarte put together a merry little band of crazies who have been making wine since dinosaurs roamed Arizona. Our team is family and we thoroughly enjoy everything we do,” said owner Gary Ellan. The vineyard produces an assortment of wines that fits all tastes, Ellan said. From sweet wine to dry and everything in between, this old winery has something for everyone, which Ellan hopes will keep people coming back. But it’s not just wine the team at The Village of Elgin Wine produce. Next door to the wine tasting room is the Elgin Distillery, which produces rum, brandy, vodka and gin. The liquors are internationally renowned, Ellan said, and the distillery boasts top honors from competitions across the globe.

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Arizona Wine Country

Kief-Joshua Vineyards

acres in Elgin and another 40 acre parcel in Willcox. Inspired by the dream to sustain his vineyard for hundreds of years, Manning is determined to grow vines that are free of all pesticides and herbicides. Public and private tastings are offered daily at the Elgin vineyard from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 11a.m.-5p.m. Friday to Sunday at the Willcox location. Most tastings are hosted by

Manning. The wine list changes constantly, said Manning, who said this Spring has been among the busiest yet. Food aficionados should keep an eye on the vineyard’s website for upcoming gourmet meals and other events, including a “Dinner in the Vines” event on June 1st which will include a fourcourse meal and a wine pairing with each course (reservations required.)

Address: 370 Elgin Road Elgin, Arizona 85611 Hours: Monday-Sunday 11a.m.-5p.m. Private functions and group tastings available by appointment. Address: 4923 E Arzberger Rd, Willcox, AZ 85643 Hours: Friday-Sunday 11a.m.-5p.m. Phone: 520-455-5582 Website: kj-vineyards. com

Kief-Joshua Vineyards

perating namesake vineyards in Elgin and Willcox, owner Kief Manning has invested the past 20 years pursuing his passion, having started off his career at the tender age of 15 when a family friend helped him secure a job at a Scottsdale wine shop. At 18, he traveled to California, where he enrolled in college courses to study viniculture and growing grapes. He then transferred to study in Melbourne, Australia, where he spent five years studying winemaking, graduating with a Master’s in viticulture and enology from the University of Western Australia. “I was hooked from an early age. When I made wine and beer in my closet at home, I knew this is what I wanted to do,” he said. After returning to the U.S., Manning began working toward his goal of developing a vineyard, returning to Arizona and purchasing 20 acres in Elgin. In 2003, together with his father and five friends, Manning built the spectacular structure on Elgin Road. Kief-Joshua Vineyards currently grows 14 varietals on two separate parcels – the 20

Dos Cabezas WineWorks wineries to roll out canned wine, which is “very popular in summer months since first introduced (six) years ago,” Kelly Bostock said. Its packaging is designed to go everywhere beer goes. The winery’s canned sparkling wine, Methode Champenoise, was recently named the top wine by judges at an Azcentral Arizona Wine Competition. The winery was started in 1995 by the late Al Buhl, and purchased by Todd Bostock in 2006. Dos Cabezas produces 6,000 cases of wine a year, including five reds and two whites, Kelly said. Along with Todd and Kelly, the business includes Todd’s parents, the couple’s two children and the family’s dog and cat.

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Address: 3248 State Route 82, Sonoita Phone: 520-455-5141 Website: doscabezaswineworks. com Hours: Thursday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Other times by appointment.

DOS CABEZAS WINEWORKS

os Cabezas WineWorks has been growing grapes and producing wine in Southern Arizona since 1995. Todd and Kelly Bostock farm two vineyards — the Pronghorn Vineyard in Elgin and Cimarron Vineyard in Kansas Settlement south of Willcox. With 15 acres planted in Elgin and 38 in the Kansas Settlement location, this family owned and operated business features wines from grapes representing all regions of the world, including France, Italy and Spain. The winery is supplied with distinctive, high-quality fruit from its two vineyards. Dos Cabezas, which is Spanish for “two heads,” is one of the state’s first

JB vineyard

ine years ago, the first grape vines were planted. Now, Jon and Jennifer Bollin are growing and harvesting grapes and producing their own wines. The vineyard is growing better every year, said Jon. This year they’ll be planting the black-skinned grape Graciano, a primarily Spanish fruit. Jon went to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and has 25-plus years of kitchen experience. Jennifer has 25-plus years of experience in dining room management and loves to make every guest feel like a cherished friend. They own a small, 14-acre piece of Elgin planted with Petit Verdot, Carignan and Tannat. These grapes are the heart of the wines they produce and bottle.

Address: 40 Omega Lane, Elgin, Az. Hours: Thursday7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday- 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday- 7:30 am to 7:30 pm Sunday- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Website: www. facebook.com/ jbvineyards/

JB VINEYARDS

Arizona Wine Country

Arizona Hops &Vines

Address: 3450 Highway 82, Sonoita, AZ 85637 Phone: 301-237-6556, or email shannon@ arizonahopsandvines. com Website: azhopsandvines.com Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Sunday

ARIZONA HOPS & VINES

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Traditional wine in an unconventional setting

rizona Hops & Vines, touted as “a small winery that’s awesome!” is a popular Sonoita party place where wine enthusiasts can enjoy robust bolds, blends, chardonnays and a moscato in an unconventional winery setting. Co-owned by sisters Megan Haaller-Stranik and Shannon Zouzoulas, the two started the winery in 2011 by stepping away from the traditional “stuffy business” of wine etiquette while creating a family-friendly spot with occasional evening bonfires, live music, DJs and just an all-around “crazy good” time. The winery’s uniqueness is what gives Hops & Vines a “cheeky” reputation in a world of glass swirling, wine tastings and food pairings. From morning mimosas made with a sparkling wine called The Fluffer, to The Drag Queen, a wine co-fermented with hops and dressed up like a beer, offerings at Hops & Vines step away from traditional norms. The winery organizes a list of events throughout the year, with the three-day “Bad Decisions” wine festival and campout at Patagonia Lake as one of its biggest draws. The event, which

runs from Aug. 9 through 11 features local wineries, breweries and distilleries, restaurants and live music. For all of the winery’s event information go to the AZ Hops & Vines Facebook page. Families are welcome at Hops & Vines where youngsters are invited into the “Sober Shack,” a fun place for kids to hang out while parents enjoy activities on the 10-acre property. Visitors enjoy lounging on the outdoor patio, sipping wine and snacking on Cheetos while taking-in Sonoita’s rolling grasslands — often dotted with grazing pronghorn — set against a mountain backdrop. Haller-Stranik was introduced to the world of winemaking while volunteering at Sonoita Vineyards. From planting and harvesting

to becoming an assistant winemaker, she immediately fell in love with the business and aspired to start her own winery. She was joined in the venture by her sister, and the two made Arizona Hops & Vines a reality. Haller-Stranik tends the vineyard and makes wines while Zouzoulas runs the tasting room and handles marketing and event planning in this unique winery where there are “no rules.”

Arizona Wine Country

Lightning

s r a l l e C e g Rid

-J

WE ARE OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, FROM

11:00 AM

Kief made the commitment to implement sustainable farming techniques from vineyard to bottle. The vineyard is free of herbicides and pesticides, and this environmentally sound approach will continue to be implemented over the years.

UNTIL

5:00 PM.

VISIT OUR WILLCOX TASTING ROOM AND VINEYARD open for wine tastings Friday through Sunday, 11am to 5 pm @ 4923 E. Arzberger Road, Willcox, AZ 85643 Road, Willcox, AZ 85643

370 Elgin Road, Elgin, Arizona 85611 Email Address: kjvineyards@gmail.com (520) 455-5582 • www.kiefjoshuavineyards.com

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STRIVING FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY VINES

PRIVATE FUNCTIONS AND GROUP TASTINGS ARE AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. 152588

IEF OSHUA INEYARDS is a small family business with 20 acres in beautiful Elgin and 40 acres in Willcox Wine Country. Our Elgin tasting room is open daily and is situated right in the middle of what is known as “winery row.”

Address: 2368 Hwy 83 Elgin, AZ 85611 Phone: 520-455-5383 Website: www. lightningridgecellars.com Hours: Friday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lightning ridge cellars

ightning Ridge Cellars is a small, family-owned winery that specializes in classic Italian varietals like Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Primitivo, Malvasia and Muscat Canelli. Owner Ann Roncone and her husband Ron opened the winery and tasting room in 2005. The Roncones credit their full-bodied, rich wines to a combination of an oldworld style of wine making, clay soils, warm summer weather and the cool nights of Sonoita-Elgin. Ann Roncone brings a science into wine-making and comes from an engineering background. Her winemaking journey began in California and in 2004 she left her profession in mechanical engineering. She and her husband moved out to the area and opened the winery in 2005. The tasting room is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Saturday.

WINE SCHOOL

When Simplicity Can Be a BY ERIC ASIMOV New York Time sNews Servie

weetness in wine can make people seem crazy. Some of the most popular wines ever sold in the United States have had at least a few degrees of sweetness to them. Do you remember Blue Nun in the 1970s, Riunite Lambrusco in the 1980s and Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay in the 1990s (still going strong)? All had discernible sweetness. So do more recent best-sellers, like Apothic Red and The Prisoner, which we tasted in January in our first foray into crowd-pleasing American wines. Yet many American consumers swear they want only dry wines. They detest riesling, they say, because they think the wines are all sweet. Wine trade observers for years have remarked on this chasm between what American consumers say they want in a wine and what they actually choose to drink. It’s worth asking what on earth is going on. Why do consumers seem to have such an aversion to saying they like sweet wines? That’s a natural inquiry here at Wine School, where we try to question almost everything and assume almost nothing. Not that we expect to crack the code of American tastes in wine. But we can at least make an effort to understand the disparity between what people say they want and what they do. The question came up in the context of our exploration of the sort of popular American wines one might find in supermarkets and other places that sell big-production wines. After looking at highly processed examples of these wines in January, we returned to the supermarket in March to look at

popular wines that were made with simpler production techniques. As I do each month, I recommended three wines to be consumed over the course of several weeks. The wines were: Marietta Cellars California Old Vine Red Lot Number 67, Montinore Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2016 and Ridge Sonoma County Three Valleys 2016. Drinking these wines made me think about the sweetness issue. Why? Because in comparison to the more processed wines, these wines were dry. That is, they had little detectable sweetness remaining in the wine after fermentation converted the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol. Theoretically, at least, the process continues until all the sugar is gone. But that’s not always desirable for winemakers. So they may choose to stop the fermentation by adding sulfur dioxide, a preservative that kills yeast, and by chilling the wine when it reaches their preferred level of sweetness. That may yield something very sweet, like an auslese riesling, in which the luscious sweetness is balanced by high acidity to create a thrilling, refreshing wine. Or it may result in a low level of sweetness to soften an otherwise

sharp acidity. Wines can also be made sweet by raising and concentrating the level of sugar in the grapes before fermentation. This can be done by delaying harvest, the proverbial “long hang-time” — popular in California for the last 20 years — in which grapes desiccate on the vine, increasing the ratio of sugar to liquid. Fermenting these wines until dry can result in ultrahigh levels of alcohol. When you see a bottle of pinot noir or cabernet sauvignon that is 16 percent alcohol, that’s where it came from. The perception of sweetness, by the way, may not depend on the actual level of sugar in the wine, but by how well it is balanced by acidity. That may be the difference between a wine that is cloying and one that is refreshing. You may wonder why I went off on this tangent. Because sometimes it’s as important to understand what winemakers did not do as it is to know what they did. Let’s look at these three wines. The Montinore pinot noir is bright, with flavors of red fruits and an underlying earthy, forest-brush quality. It’s taut and pure, and it tastes like Willamette Valley pinot noir. An entry-level wine that reflects both the grapes from which it is made and the place from which it comes is what I would call an awfully good value. The Marietta Old Vine Red, a wine blended with a number of different grapes from multiple appellations, is quite different. It tastes a little of red fruits, a little of licorice and a little of root beer. Yet it’s not sweet. It’s mediumbodied, not too big or alcoholic, just a decent drink of wine, with character and personality. And finally the Ridge Three Valleys, which is a little riper, with a little more alcohol at 14.3 percent

than the others, which are around 13.5 percent. It is also a blended wine, with flavors of spicy red fruit, a touch of licorice and maybe a little oak, which I don’t get from the other wines. Compared with the sugary confections from the January tasting, these wines are in a different universe, one that is far closer to the world of traditional craftsmanship, which I believe is the source of the best, most compelling wines. I’ve had plenty of wines from California that have crossed the line, wines that are ostensibly dry, but where the impression of sweetness becomes the dominant flavor. These wines maintained their balance, even if, in the opinion of one reader, Martin Schappeit of Forest, Virginia, the Marietta was too sweet to pair with simple broiled lamb chops. No matter. He said the wine was great with steak. These wines demonstrate that pretty good wines can be made on a large scale. They are not massproduced in the millions like those in our January exploration, but by the hundreds of thousands, which is still quite a lot. Good wine is out there, if you want it. Not everybody embraced these wines. Peter of Philadelphia called the Ridge “pleasant and unlikely to offend anyone,” while Ferguson of Princeton, New Jersey, referred to them as “comfortable, familiar, utility wines.” Dan Barron of New York felt that the Ridge and the Montinore were “more comfortable than they are exciting.” While inoffensive may be a whole lot better than repugnant, it offers a lot of room for bottles that may be more distinctive and striking. Fortunately, a whole world of exciting wines is out there, though sometimes they are produced in disappointingly small quantities.

HERALD/REVIEW • APRIL 2019

Arizona Wine Country

SERGE BLOCH/THE NEW YORK TIMES

Wilhelm Family Vineyards

have been keeping staff busy. Tapas, small delicacies based on Spanish cuisine, are served in small portions on small plates. Sharing the different tastes is part of the experience. “Our warm atmosphere and skilled service allows you to immerse yourselves in this style of eating, which compliments the wine we offer,” added Karyl. “Come in and enjoy our live music while you share our wines and tapas with family and friends. We’ll be hosting artists varying by style, instrument and genre.” Music will be scheduled for every other Thursday eve-

520.455.5383

ning from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Karyl and husband Kevin met in the Gulf War while serving in the military. Their idea for the perfect life was working for themselves at something they loved to do. Since Kevin grew up on a farm, growing seemed to be the thing to try. In 2004, they decided to try their hand at wines and now grow a variety of Spanish and French grapes to make their award-winning sangrias, cabernets and ports in a variety of hues to match anyone’s palate. Karyl noted, “Our varietals grown and produced include Tempranillo, Graciano,

Verdejo, Garnacha, Albariño, Tannat, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon.” In 2018, Wilhelm Family Vineyards won the Best Dessert Wine Award in the Arizona Grand Wine Competition for their Sunset Port. It was called a “decadent, tawny dessert-style wine.” Wilhelm Vineyards also won the 2017 Harvest Challenge with its Tempranillo. To honor veterans, they came up with a line of wines called Patriot Salute. The label is hand crafted by artist Jim Laurier, a former pilot like Kevin. Some proceeds from the sale of each Patriot Salute bottle go to support the Pima County Air and Space Museum in Tucson. “Aside from trying to raise awareness of the museum’s goals, we donate a portion of bottle sales of our commemorative wine, 390th Patriot Salute, to the museum,” said Karyl. There is a wine club and people who join can choose to purchase bottles of wine over a period of a year. The free membership also provides a discount on other

Specializing in Italian varietals. Come by and enjoy our wines and scenic views.

bottles of wine. “I promise you will enjoy being a part of our Wine Club Family,” Karyl pointed out. “I offer a wide selection of award-winning wines to please every palate. I personally select the wine club shipments, and I give you the option to adjust your selections anytime. “ Wilhelm Family Winery Tasting Room Hours: 11:00am — 4:00pm (Fri, Sat & Sun) Address: 21 Mountain Ranch Dr. Elgin, AZ 85611 Phone: 520455-9291 Website: https://www. wilhelm vineyards.com/

Wilhelm Family Vineyards Tasting & Tapas at Ventana Hours: SunWed 11a- 7p Thu-Sat 11a-9p Address: 5425 N Kolb Road #119 Tucson, AZ 85750 Phone: (520) 900-7166 Website: https:// wilhelmvine yardsventana. com/

WILHELM FAMILY VINEYARDS

www.lightningridgecellars.com

Tuscany, just an hour south of Tucson... 2368 Highway 83, Elgin, Arizona. We’re located 7½ miles south of Sonoita on Hwy 83. 520-455-5383 Open Friday - Sunday 11:00AM to 4:00PM.

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usiness is good for the Wilhelm Family Vineyards. So good, owners Kevin and Karyl Wilhelm opened a new tasting room where they offer tapas along with their award-winning wines. They wanted their clientele to get the most out their selection of wines by offering tapas at their existing tasting room in Elgin. Unfortunately, Santa Cruz County does not permit food to be served in tasting rooms. So, they began looking toward Tucson for a new location and found it on Kolbe Ave. “I think people need food to really experience the wines,” said Karyl. “Our small tapas kitchen is designed to offer delicious pairings for our hand-crafted Arizona wines. After nearly 15 years of wine production, we realize wine and food is best enjoyed together. Folks truly enjoy the sensory enhancement of eating small bites and sipping wine from our wine list.” Wilhelm Family Vineyards Tastings and Tapas in Ventana is open seven days a week and the patrons

Arizona Wine Country

open new tasting room in Tucson

Copper Brothel Brewery

ONOITA — Amid the golden grasslands of Sonoita wine country, a mother-daughter duo brought a craft brewery to the area. Built from the ground up, Copper Brothel Brewery opened its doors in 2018, adding craft culture to Southern Arizona. Bob and Cheryl Jesser moved to the Sonoita area from Colorado in 2013 with Bob’s father — Grandpa Glenn — in tow and were joined by their daughter, Sammie, a year later. After Grandpa Glenn passed away unexpectedly, the family stumbled across his hand-written list of final wishes, of which “Start a Business” topped the list. That note set the idea of starting a brewery in motion, with the family transitioning from brew crafting as a hobby to establishing a brewpub in the heart of Southern Arizona’s wine country. Cheryl and Sammie co-own the brewery, with Sammie as brewmaster and Robert as business manager. The family-owned and operated brewpub, located at 3112 State Route 83, took four years to complete. Fitted with a seven-barrel brewing system, the space includes a full-service restaurant with full bar and 20 beer taps. A patio with sweeping views of the Santa Rita, Mustang and Whetstone mountain ranges is a favorite relaxation and dining spot for guests. Follow Copper Brothel Brewery on Facebook to “Smooch the Hooch” and see what the Jessers have on tap.

Address: 3112 State Route 83, Sonoita Phone: 520-4056721 Website: copperbrothelbrewery. com Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

COPPER BROTHEL BREWERY

Arizona Wine Country

Flying Leap Vineyards and Distillery

HERALD/REVIEW • APRIL 2019

Address: 342 Elgin Rd. Elgin, AZ 85611 520-455-5499 Website: www. flyingleapvineyards. com/ Hours: Daily from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

FLYING LEAP VINEYARDS

ark Beres, Marc Moller and Tom Kitchens co-founded Flying Leap Vineyards and Distillery in 2010 after retiring from the Air Force. The Elgin winery prides itself on growing and producing wine on its own properties, and also has a distillery located next to the winery for those who would like to try other expertly crafted alcoholic beverages. Like the wines, the vodka, liquors and brandies are made with grapes grown by Flying Leap — one of the unique aspects of the business. The distillery is typically open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and can be open during the week by appointment or if the busy vineyard can spare a staff member. The veteran-owned business offers a military discount to those who serve or have served, with an ID, and will host several fun events in the coming months, making it the perfect place for locals or out-of-towners to get a little rest and relaxation. Events include a Kentucky Derby Party on May 4, which will celebrate the release of a new bourbon (fancy dress and big hats encouraged), astronomy

nights on June 8th and October 5th wherein folks can gaze at the stars while sipping delicious wine and sampling tasty food by the light of a roaring fire, and a Spanish Summer Night on July 21, featuring live music and Spanish-themed fare. Tickets can be purchased online or over the phone. For more information, visit the Flying Leap website or give their friendly staff a call.

annual festivals, complete with wine tastings and souvenir glasses, winery and vineyard tours and specialty food pairings. Festivals include the annual blessing of Sonoita Vineyards held the first weekend in April, Harvestfest the last weekend in July, and St. Martin’s AVA (American Viticultural Area) New Release Festival the second weekend in November. HarvestFest will be July 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. General Admission is $25 admission if pre purchased and $30 at the door. The price includes six wine tasting with souvenir glass, four food and wine pairings, winery tours with the winemaker — 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. — vineyard tours by wagon throughout the day and Grape stomping starts at 1:00 p.m. A VIP package is available for $85 per person and is limited to 60 people. It includes everything general admission gets plus, a private climate-controlled room and balcony, VIP restroom, private bar, after-hours party from 4-6 p.m., after-hours winery and vineyard tour, VIP Parking, lunch voucher and a VIP gift.

Address: 290 Elgin-Canelo Road, Elgin, Arizona 85611 Phone: 520455-5893 Website: www. sonoitavineyards. com Hours: Open daily except major holidays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SONOITA VINEYARDS

onoita Vineyards Winery opened in 1983 as the first commercial vineyard in the Sonoita-Elgin area. It was founded by Dr. Gordon Dutt, a retired University of Arizona soil scientist. The winery sits on a hilltop at an elevation of 5,000 feet with picturesque views of the region’s rolling grasslands, hillside vineyards and scenic mountain ranges. Today, Dutt’s granddaughter Lori Reynolds serves as the vineyard’s winemaker and her husband, Robi Reynolds, is the manager. Sonoita Vineyard produces 4,000 cases a year from 12 different grape varieties, which include Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Syrah Merlot, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Malbec, Mission and Cabernet Sauvignon. Production features a full range of premium wines from crisp and fruity to bold and complex. Ninety percent of its production is sold through the winery’s tasting room, gift shop and special events facility. Sonoita Vineyards hosts three

Arizona Wine Country

Sonoita Vineyards

Your Haven in the Heart of the Sonoita/EIgin Wine-Country Come visit, and explore the nearby wineries, go birding or hiking, or just relax and enjoy the nature around you. We are surrounded by mountains from all sides, far from the lights and noise of the city, with clear skies and beautiful sunsets that give way to gorgeous starry nights.

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(520) 455-0380 | RanchoMilagroBnB@gmail.com | www.ranchomilagrobnb.com

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Our guest rooms are spacious, with full baths, and private entrances leading to both the courtyard and guest patio. A continental breakfast is served in either the privacy of your room or in the courtyard. And our guest studio is the perfect place to relax, play cards, watch TV or even have a workshop - perfect for a small group or a girls’ weekend out.

Rancho Rossa Vineyards & Rescued Hearts Cellars

ancho Rossa Vineyards and Rescued Hearts Cellars offers a wide assortment of wines and grapes, a unique atmosphere and supports local animal rescues. The winery has been crafting quality wine for 13 years and is a 100 percent estate winery, meaning all their wines are made with only grapes grown on the property. Owner Breanna Hamilton and her husband began growing in the vineyard in 2002, eventually opening the tasting room in 2006. The Hamiltons prefer to use oldschool, more natural techniques that allow their grapes to make the wine with as little intervention from the winemaker as possible. Rancho Rossa predominantly produces Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, but they carry a variety of options beyond that. The tasting room has a rock n’ roll vibe, with classic rock music as the backdrop for guests to enjoy their wine. Breanna said they have a passion for teaching people about wine and the tasting room serves as a space to educate and is a good representation of who they are. The winery loves to help animals

at the vineyard who can often be spotted at the tasting room. The tasting room is open from Friday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in July and August. For groups of eight or more, call to schedule an appointment.

and they recently changed the name of the vineyard to Rancho Rossa Vineyards and Rescued Hearts Cellars, their charity brand label. Proceeds from the sale of the three or four wines they currently carry with the label go to local animal rescues. Additionally, during the first full

Xanadu is ultimate getaway adventure A dreamland vacation for you and your horse…or just yourself!

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Xanadu means “A place of great beauty, peace and contentment, “ Xanadu Ranch is Trip Advisor’s Number One Pick for Sonoita, Elgin and Patagonia. When you check in at the Xanadu, you get a wine tour map, and a wine testing discount card. Take some of our wine glasses and you’ll save even more. So, check in here ﬁrst and save! One of the oldest homesteads in Sonoita, Xanadu Ranch was built in 1912. All rooms have private entrances and private baths. Our deluxe rooms have full kitchens. All rooms have satellite TV, DVD players, wireless internet,

refrigerators, microwaves, coffee pots, coffee & tea and toasters. We offer a number of options for breakfast, plus local restaurants. The Xanadu caters to birders, bikers, hikers, horse lovers, wine lovers or people who just want to get away from it all! 520.455.0050 92 S. Los Encinos Road, Sonoita Only 1½ miles from all of the ﬁnest shops and restaurants at the Sonoita Crossroads www.XanaduRanchGetAway.com Book online and save! Pay nothing until you check-in. Nightly & weekly rates, multiple night savings, cash discounts and promotional savings. email: GetAway@XanaduRanch.com

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Horse Motels RV Hook-ups Group Gatherings Family Reunions Weekend Retreats

week of every month they select one animal rescue that receives 100 percent of their wine sale profits. During the Saturday of Support a Rescue Week, representatives of the rescue come to the vineyard and bring out animals, everything from dogs and cats to horses. There are also three “wine dogs”

Address: 201 Cattle Ranch Lane Elgin, AZ 85611 Phone: 520-4550700 Website: https:// www.ranchorossa. com Hours: Friday to Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. In July and August, Saturday to Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

RANCHO ROSSA VINEYARDS

Arizona Wine Country

Charron Vineyards

Arizona Wine Country

Criag said. “At Charron, you are encouraged to relax while each handcrafted wine is brought to your table and a knowledgeable server explains the wine’s journey from grape to glass.” Charron offers a lovely sunset facing patio, does a full tasting with six oneounce pours, and full table service. It also has a bread— making certification, and offers gourmet picnic baskets with fresh bread baked in house — making it an ideal place to treat yourself and your loved ones.

Address: 18585 S. Sonoita Highway, Vail, AZ Hours: Open Thursday-Sunday 10a.m.-6p.m; same hours Friday-Sunday from June to October. Website: http://www. charronvineyards. com/ Phone: 520762-8585

Tia ‘Nita’s Cantina

Come Explore Our Wines With Us

where Downtown meets Bordertown in Cowtown Sonoita’s #1 Hot Spot with: Live Music • Karaoke • Pool Tables & Games Smoking Patio

Full Bar & AZ beers on tap

5 STAR FOOD serving hand-tossed Pizza, Calzones, Wines, Mexican Cuisine, & More! Follow us on

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Tasting Room Hours: Thurs - Sun 11am- 5pm 124 Elgin Road, Elgin, AZ (520) 490-6170 www.deepskyvineyard.com

for current menu specials and entertainment schedules.

3119 AZ State Hwy 83, Sonoita AZ • (520) 455-0500

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Dinner: Thursday - Sunday • Lunch: Saturday & Sunday

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harron Vineyards and Winery, a Vail winery and vineyard established in 1995, produces quality wine made from locally-grown grapes, with a goal of producing a wide variety of wines that appeal to all palates. As the weather warms, the vines burst with flavorful grapes and the surrounding hills become lush and beautiful, making it a perfect time of year to visit, said co-owner Susan Craig. The family-owned and -operated winery gives guests the chance not only to relax, but also to learn more about what’s in their glass. “The higher elevation overlooking the rolling slopes of the Santa Rita and Empire mountains brings fresh mountain air, rich soil and an essence of tranquility,”

Charron Vineyards

and Winery

ired of the pace of city life, Melanie and Tom Pyle decided to take a leap of faith and purchased land in Elgin to start their own brewery. “We knew we wanted to open a small business of our own so we wouldn’t have to deal with the normal B.S. that goes along with an unsatisfying corporate life,“ said Melanie, better known as Mel. “As it so happens, we became our county’s first licensed microbrewery. It’s a ton of work owning and running a family farm, but it’s a labor of love and we sure do love it! We are living the dream.” Part of that dream is to grow as many of the ingredients for their beers as they can or use ingreients grown only in Arizona. The goal is to work with local businesses to produce a delicious product for the community. “From the hot peppers we

cultivate from our garden to the 14 varieties of hops in our fields, if it isn’t 90 percent or more in our community, it doesn’t enter our beer,” Mel continued. Copper Hops does grow a variety of hops that produces different flavors in the brewing process, like Cascade, Centennial, Liberty, Nugget, Mount Hood – 14 varieties in all. “We’re limited in what we can grow here. We would have to buy more land to become 100 percent self-reliable on beer ingredients,” added Mel. “We do plan to plant wheat and barley this year to use in the beers.” It is not just beer, and a variety of unique ciders they offer. Like any typical farm, critters abound. There are horses, sheep, turkeys, chickens and, of course, their now-famous donkey, “Buddy- The Super Donk,” a kid and adult favorite.

Address: 5 Fairview Lane Elgin, Arizona 85611 Hours: Open Friday – Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Facebook: Copper Hop Ranch & Microbrewery Email: info@ copperhopranch.com Instagram #copperhopranch Website: http:// copperhopranch.com

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Copper Hop Ranch

Copper Hops Ranch and Brewery

Rune Wines

ames Callahan said he could have either chosen a career in something like architecture or wine, but given his passion for wine, plus a desire to live in wide-open spaces, the choice was easy. Callahan opened Rune Wines in Sonoita in April 2015. The winery is completely offgrid, with a focus on sustainable practices. Solar energy powers the facility, they use zero pesticides and the wines are made with wild yeast fermentation, an ancient technique of wine-making that uses the native yeast found on the plant. During his time in the restaurant industry as a server and sommelier, Callahan discovered his love for wine. Before opening Rune, he began making wine in 2007 in Tempe and then traveled to Washington, California and New Zealand to perfect

his craft. Rune Wines does dry wines and does not offer any sweet varieties. He produces three reds, a white and a rose. The tasting room is outdoors and provides a scenic view of the mountains for a unique Cochise County wine experience. The tasting room is open Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members of the public can call to request a time. Follow their Instagram and Facebook pages for updates, photos and news.

Address: 3969 State Route 82, Sonoita, AZ 85637 Phone: (520) 338-8823 Website: www. runewines.com Hours: Thursday Noon to 4 p.m. Friday — Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rune Wines

Arizona Wine Country

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Arizona Wine Country

AN ARIZONA ORIGINAL T

he oldest commercial vineyard and winery in Arizona, Sonoita Vineyards opened in 1983, and now includes over 30 acres of vines.

As the ﬁrst winery established in Sonoita, Arizona, our history is as rich as our wines and a great place to start your wine tasting adventure! Sonoita Vineyards is a 30+ acre vineyard situated on the south side of a hillside, surrounded by rolling grasslands and several mountain ranges. This hillside planting protects the vines from harsh winds and frost. In addition to our daily tastings, Sonoita Vineyards hosts events throughout the year, ranging from small private affairs and large weddings to our own massive HarvestFest celebration.

a Sonoit rds Vi n e ya an offers aw a r d f o y a arr s g wine n i n n i w g f ro m n i g n a r fruity d n a p cris and d l o b o t x. comple

2019 EVENTS July 27th: HarvestFest 2019 November 9 - 19th: Annual Sonoita AVA New Release Festival

2020 EVENTS April 4th: 42nd Annual Blessing of Sonoita Vineyards July 25th: HarvestFest 2020 November 14 - 20th: Annual Sonoita AVA New Release Festival

Tasting Hours: Open Daily 10am - 4pm 290 Elgin-Canelo Road Elgin, AZ 85611

Email: winery@sonoitavineyards.com

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(520) 455-5893