Discover ARIZONA
Wine Country
Our Arizona Wine Travel Guide shares a brief history of the state's wine country, terroir, where to sip, where to stay and things to do beyond the vines.
There’s more to Arizona than desert and cacti, the state is ushering in a new era of viticulture. With three prominent wine regions in the state, Arizona is an exciting – and budding – region to sip in.
Arizona has two official American Viticultural Areas (AVA) – wine growing regions – with another pending approval.
Wine regions thrive between 30-50 degrees of latitude of the equator. Arizona sits close to the 40 degree mark. Making it an ideal wine growing region. PERFECTION!!
WHERE IS AZ WINE COUNTRY?
Arizona’s wine regions are near major cites making for an easy wine country getaway. An hour from Tucson you can sip in the Sonoita AVA or head an hour east to the Willcox AVA. The Verde Valley is just north of Phoenix, about a two-hour drive and sits in the ever-growing popular escape of Sedona.
Best Times to Visit
The Spring and the Fall are ideal times to visit the Arizona wine country. However, keep in mind that Tucson and Sedona sit at higher elevations, making them great summer escapes since the temperatures are cooler than other areas in Arizona.
TOP GRAPE VARIETIES
White Wine Grape
- Chenin Blanc
- Malvasia Bianca
- Viognier
RED Wine Grape
- Grenache
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Mourvedre
- Syrah
Arizona is one of the oldest wine producing regions in the United States.
Arizona has a rich wine history dating to the 16th century when Spanish Jesuit priests began producing wine for religious sacramental ceremonies. Its industry – like all states in the U.S. – was halted in 1920 due to National Prohibition. Today, there are currently more than 110 Arizona wineries, vineyards and cellars throughout the state.
WHERE TO SIP
Callaghan Vineyards
High Lonesome Vineyard
Merkin
Osteria
- Annual Spring Willcox Wine Country Festival
- Sips & Skies Wine, Beer and Spirits Festival
- More
Planning Your Arizona Wine Country Vacation
There is no shortage of hotels and B&Bs in the Arizona wine country. See our favorite places to stay in the Arizona wine regions, including Phoenix, Sonoita, Willcox and the Verde Valley.
- L’Auberge de Sedona
- Arizona Sunset Inn
- L’Auberge de Sedona
- Enchantment Resort
ITINERARIES
We have a few wine tasting itineraries broken out per region, so you can sit back and sip in all that the AZ wine country has to offer.
Wilcox – Sonoita – Verde Valley – Phoenix – Downtown Scottsdale
GETTING AROUND
Rent a car and do it yourself? Hire a driver? Uber? How to determine your wine country transportation options.
BEYOND THE VINES
You will miss out on a lot of things to do in Arizona wine country if you don’t go beyond the vines. The Arizona wine regions are home to so many fun activities, especially given the close proximity to major destinations such as Phoenix, Tuscon and Sedona.
