Sip, Swirl, and Explore: Where to Find the Best Arizona Wineries
When you think of Arizona, wine probably isn’t the first thing that pops into your mind. Once you take that first sip of an Arizona-grown red or white, you’ll understand why wine lovers across the country are making their way to the Southwest. Arizona has three official American Viticultural Areas and over 100 wineries. And if you’re ready to raise a glass, I’ll share some of my favorite wineries, and vineyards.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Whether it’s National Drink Wine Day, National Wine Day, or just a random Tuesday—there’s always time for wine. Grapes used in Arizona wines are often grown in southern Arizona near Sonoita. Some grapes are also grown in Payson.
Where to Find The Best Arizona Wineries and Vineyards
Arizona has three regions to explore wineries.
Next time you are visiting southern Arizona or the Verde Valley try a glass of wine from grapes grown here in the southwest.
Verde Valley Wineries: Wine Trail
The Verde Valley Wine Trail is two hours north of Phoenix. Sip your way through the charming towns of Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Jerome, Camp Verde, Page Springs and Cornville. If you’re staying in Sedona there are several tour companies that will pick you up to take you on the wine trail.
Wine Tasting in Sedona
Are there vineyards in Sedona? No, there are no vineyards in Sedona, however they are nearby. You can stay in Sedona and easily visit vineyards in the nearby towns. There is also several nice wine tasting places in Sedona and Oak Creek.
Sedona Winery Tours
You can take several winery tours out of Sedona. These include:
Camp Verde Wineries & Tasting Rooms
- Alcantara Wineries & Vineyard – dog friendly patio
- Clear Creek Vineyard – dog friendly patio
- Salt Mine Wine – dog friendly patio
Clarkdale Wineries & Tasting Rooms
- Chateau Tumbleweed – dog friendly patio
- Southwest Wine Center -dog friendly patio
- Bodega Pierce Winery
Cottonwood Wineries & Tasting Rooms
- Arizona Stronghold – dog friendly patio
- Burning Tree Cellars – dog friendly patio
- Cellar 433
- DaVines Bistro
- Four Eight Wineworks – dog friendly patio
- Merkin Vineyards Hilltop
- Tantrum Wines – dog friendly patio
Cornville Wineries & Tasting Rooms
- Cove Mesa Vineyard – dog friendly patio
- DA Ranch – dog friendly patio
- Javelina Leap – dog friendly patio
- Oak Creek Vineyards – dog friendly patio
- Page Springs Cellars
Jerome Wineries & Tasting Rooms
- Cabal Cellars – dog friendly patio
- Caduceus Cellars
- Four Eight Wineworks
- The Original Jerome Winery
Sedona Wine Tasting Room
Wine Tours in Verde Valley
If you don’t have a designated driver there are several tour companies in the area.
Verde Valley has some fantastic wines and the scenery is beautiful in this area as well. Take some time to explore the little towns while you are here. Find out the best time to visit the Verde Valley.
Cottonwood Wine Trail
To help plan your day you can download the Verde Valley wine trail map.
Walking around downtown Cottonwood is a quaint place to grab a bite to eat and try out some of the local wines. There are several wineries within walking distance of each other. At the wineries you can order a white flight, red flight or a combo flight of reds and whites.
Arizona Stronghold
We enjoyed the Arizona Stronghold winery in downtown Cottonwood. It was hard to choose a favorite, but I really liked Bruzzi Vineyard Vidal Blanc.
Burning Tree Cellars
Burning Tree Cellars had a nice red wine called “The Bear.”
Clarkdale Wineries
Southwest Wine Center
The Southwest Wine Center is a short drive in Clarkdale. I chose a combo flight and my favorite red wine was Big Red. The wine was named after a local wolf.
Page Springs Wineries
Page Springs Cellars
Page Springs Cellars has amazing wine and one of the prettiest settings. My favorites are Vino Del Barrio Blanca and Yavapai County Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy the beautiful scenery while sipping on some local Arizona wines.
Guests can also view Oak Creek from their deck.
Cornville Wineries
Cove Mesa Vineyard
We tried a Sweet Wine flight here. Our favorites were Vidal Blanc Tierra Madre and Riesling Carl Creek.
Jerome Wineries
The Original Jerome Winery
While visiting Jerome we stopped in at the Original Winery for a glass of Petite Sirah and Riesling.
Verde Valley Wine Festivals
The Verde Valley has several wine festivals including the Verde Valley Wine Festival in May, and the Sedona Winefest in September.
My Favorite Wineries
If you can only go to one winery in Verde Valley I would choose Page Springs Cellars because I think they are in the prettiest location. My second favorite for ambiance was the Southwest Wine Center in Clarkdale. My personal favorite Arizona wines are from Coronado Vineyards, which I discovered on a trip to Wilcox.
Wilcox Wineries & Vineyards
Wilcox is 80 miles southeast of Tucson. With an elevation around 4,000 feet, Wilcox enjoys mild weather and fertile grounds for grapes, 74% of Arizona wine grapes are grown here. Many of the wines you may taste in the Verde Valley are made from grapes grown in Wilcox. You can view the Wilcox Winery Maps here.
Taste wines from nine wineries and vineyards in Wilcox.
- Birds & Barrels
- Bodega Pierce
- Carlson Creek
- Coronado Vineyards
- Golden Rule
- Keeling Schaefer
- Strive Vineyard
- Pillsbury Vineyard
- Zarpara Vineyard
Sonoita Wineries
Wilcox Wine Festival
Each year they celebrate with two wine festivals, one in the fall (October) and one in the spring (May).
