7 Best Verde Valley Wineries In Arizona
The Verde Valley is a flourishing river valley in red rock country with a dry climate and water access that help produce the most succulent of grape varieties. Brimming with award-winning wineries and tasting rooms, these are known for their vast and expanding clientele as the best Verde Valley Wineries in the state.
Burning Trees Cellars – Cottonwood, Arizona
The producer of boutique wines with vineyards all across the state, the Burning Trees Cellars’ tasting room is located in the incredibly atmospheric Old Town Cottonwood. Boasting a welcoming outdoor patio with views of the historic downtown, people get to enjoy the scenic environment, along with a varied choice from the vast wine list. This Verde Valley winery produces award-winning wines that guarantee to satisfy any palate and occasion, with the selection comprising wine grapes as well as dark fruit that creates deliciously-quintessential blends. Sourced from local vineyards, including the Deep Sky Vineyard, Colibri Vineyard, and House Mountain Vineyard, one must try the refreshingly crisp and sweet Rose B 2018. The Lotus red wine is another favorite for its full-bodied quality with hints of plum and dark chocolate notes that make each sip treasure-worthy. The comfortable patio setting has earned countless new and returning customers who like to stop and relax with a glass of fine Arizona wine in hand or get together in the evening to enjoy a few rounds of a favored drink in the fresh air.
D.A. Ranch Lodge and Estate Vineyards - Cornville, Arizona
Located in Cornville, D.A. Ranch is renowned for the most picturesque locales in the whole of the Verde Valley. Established in 2002, the family-owned tasting rooms and vineyards offer stunning backdrops to pair with the vinos. One can enjoy a glass of their amazing creations in a uniquely characterized vineyard with vistas of stunning waters or goats grazing. Producing only a few varietals, including syrah, cabernet sauvignon, petite syrah, Tannat, and seyval blanc, their most recent creation tempranillo, with a statement-making name of the “Twelve Dog Tempranillo,” is renowned. The full-bodied, low-acidity wine has deep leather notes that pair perfectly with a cool evening or autumn weather. One needs to obtain a membership to buy a bottle of wine for the low quantities in which they are produced. The tasting room is open to all, offering flights from $15 to $25 for an unforgettable experience of drinking bolder red styles by a pond.
Javelina Leap Vineyard & Winery - Cornville, Arizona
Located in Cornville, the family-run establishment of the Javelina Leap Vineyard is known as the most extensive wine tasting bar in northern Arizona. Producing an authentic Verde Valley Trail selection of award-winning boutique reds and whites, along with blends, they also feature a popular bistro cuisine. Many visit the winery during the harvesting months from August through October to witness the mastery of making the wines right on-site. There are also private wine tours taking one through the entire grape-growing journey to learn behind-the-scene creation of the intricate flavors "from vine to cork." Comprising a vineyard, winery, tasting room, and bistro, all on the same estate, one gets the transparent experience of enjoying a glass of wine on a summer's day stroll to see the harvesting and storage of their favorite drink. The bistro pairs charcuterie, soft pretzels, and flatbread pizzas, while the wine flights are $20 for five tasting choices. Javelina Leap prides themselves in offering the experience of sipping a Riesling, Zinfandel, Syrah, or Malbec within a lush garden setting where dogs and kids are welcome. Great for an afternoon pick-me-up or an atmospheric get-together, the bistro is open from 11 in the morning to 5 pm for relaxing on the plenty of outdoor patio seating that has earned countless customers' loyalty.
Oak Creek Vineyards - Cornville, Arizona
Oak Creek Vineyards offer the experience of unwinding with a glass of the selected local gourmet vino right in the sweeping grapevines where it originated from. Set in Cornville, the Oak Creek Vineyards pride themselves in producing local goodness from the carefully selected grapes grown right around town and the neighboring Willcox. The enchanting views are perfect for a romantic date, a gathering, or even some alone time to self-reflect and get inspired. There are also well-pairing gourmet selections of cheese boards, charcuterie, and chocolate plates. The tasty array sold by bottle or glass includes the popular whites Chardonnay and Moscato, along with Merlot and Zinfandel reds. Those who feel frisky can go for the cocktails served on weekends, with choices rotating on a monthly basis. The flights of white, mixed, and blends for $12 are popular during get-togethers to taste and discuss in the scenic setting. The food is also served lovingly from the kitchen at the enchanting property, which invites one on a stroll-along after. The Vino Happy Hours are popular among new guests and long-comers alike, happening every Friday and Saturday evening, where flight tastings are only $5. The kid- and dog-friendly winery and vineyard offer a wholesome time of fun and bonding or a peaceful and relaxing afternoon spent.
Page Springs Cellars - Cornville, Arizona
Owned and operated by Eric Glomski since he planted the family's first vines in 2004, the winery is one of the most recognized and awarded in the state. Comprising four estate vineyards, Page Springs Cellars are known for their Southern focus on the winning Rhône-style wines, growing petite syrah, Grenache, and Roussanne varieties. Their most famous bottles include PSC and Vermentino white, which have made history in the wine industry of the country. The latter is grown on their Dos Padres vineyard, to be aged in stainless steel. The mineral-rich, rocky slopes of the vineyard help produce its citrusy taste with moderate acidity and just the right amount of orange peel bitterness in the end. The secret to their delicious drinks comes from using exclusively French grapes, while their environment-friendly initiatives automatically raise them in the eyes of their loyal clients. The company prides itself in going 100% solar power energy for its electricity, as well as minimizing CO2 emissions in production by using no-tilling vineyards and distributing in-state only for minimal transportation. They also started a wonderful fellowship, "Vin de Filles" or "Girls of Wine," with a subset of vines reserved to be harvested only by female winemakers to make their renowned products.
Southwest Wine Center - Clarkdale, Arizona
Southwest Wine Center is operated by long-time professionals, offering a wholesome experience around the wine culture. Sourced from twenty-four commercial vineyards into their eleven different wineries, the company is spread throughout the Verde Valley AVA, including the center, at the heart of the matter. Located at the Yavapai College, it is managed by Michael Pierce as a teaching winery with twelve varieties and 12,157 vines. The state-renowned winemaker is also the director of the college’s viticulture and enology programs, ensuring quality education for the to-be delegates of the fine drink, such as Lisa Aguilar, who was an early graduate, and now the tasting room manager. The growing practices are revealed right in front of the guests’ eyes, offering a view of a vineyard plot through the doors. “Sessions” comprise a guided walk-through of 10 or so different wines, accentuating grape types, harvest, soils, and cultivation into the wines that are being tasted. The guided experience throughout the tastings feels like taking a fun course of acquiring precious knowledge while getting a little hoppy. The director also believes that experimentation is necessary for creativity to inspire new varieties that will feed back into the local vineyards. Their notable 2019 orange wine made from white grapes is quickly gaining a fan base. Attaining a unique darker, orange hue and robust flavor by letting the whole fruit ferment within the skin and seeds attached makes the special vino the savory sister to the other white wines.
Winery 101 – Cottonwood, Arizona
Sitting in Peoria and Old Town Cottonwood, Winery 101 is known for potent and delicious wines from their Arizona-based Gallifant Cellars and SouthPaw Cellars. The latter is especially popular for the Poolside Pink, which is a sweet, strong, and delicious variety. Family-owned and operated, they also serve their clients on premises of a hospitable environment with tastings to the sounds of live music. The talented musicians complete the wholehearted and fun atmosphere that lets one take "flights" enjoying the reds, whites, and sweets. Boasting in only purchasing grapes from family-owned local vineyards from around the state, the gem has garnered a loyal fan base, with customers coming back and bringing new faces to share the experience. Some of the recommendations for a toast to good health include the most popular Summer Sippin' and Chillaxin' Red.
From bold reds and crisp whites to new blends and cocktails, these wineries have inspired wines that make one feel inspired just by sipping within the surrounding scenic setting. Committed to suit any taste, their atmospheric and welcoming tasting rooms will cater to each new guest with a mutual feeling of a long-lost friend that was finally found.
