Cheers to the Carlson Creek Vineyard family on three great years! L-R: John, Bob, and Robert Carlson.

Cheers to Carlson Creek Vineyard who will be pulling out all the stops to celebrate its third anniversary this Saturday, February 16, 2013, at its tasting room, 115 Railview Avenue in Willcox from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Food, music, and wine will mark the milestone for the winery.  Limited amounts of their vintage wines—including Carlson Creek Sauvignon Blanc and the vintage Syrahs—will be available for sale during the celebration.

Camp Verde celebrates local wine & pecans

Wine, live music, art, antiques, and contests will be featured at Camp Verde’s Pecan, Wine & Antique Festival, February 15-17, on Main Street in Camp Verde (just off I-17). Over a dozen wineries—including Arizona Stronghold, Alcantara Vineyards, Page Springs Cellars, Caduceus, and Burning Tree Cellars.  For a $15 entrance fee, receive a commemorative wine glass, entrance into the Fort Verde State Park, and five wine tasting coupons. Additional tastes or glasses of wine may be purchased.

Arizona Beer Week begins in Phoenix

Arizona Beer Week kicks off with the 13^th Annual Strong Beer Festival, at the Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix on February 16, 2013, 1:00 to 5:00pm. Strong beers (those with high alcohol content) are the focus at the festival, but there will also be a variety of craft beers, as well as specialty styles and unique brews. Festival-goers will receive a commemorative 4 oz. tasting glass and 15 tasting tickets for the price of admission. Arizona Beer Week is celebrated February 16-23.

Callaghan Library Tasting

Check out Callaghan Vineyard’s annual tasting of older vintages, some of which will be for sale. The February 23 event (4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) will focus on Callaghan vintages from 1999 to 2006. The last bottles of ’02 and ’03 will be included. Cost is $20 per person. Callaghan Vineyard is situated in the Sonoita/Elgin region; its first vintage was 1991.

Barrel Tasting at Lightning Ridge

On Saturday, March 9, 1:00 p.m., Lightning Ridge Cellars in Elgin will hosts the fourth annual Barrel Tasting in its beautiful old-world style barrel room, featuring 6 wines from its 2011 and 2012 vintages. Catered Italian hors d’oeurves will be served. Cost is $45; reservations are required as seating is very limited. Sign up in the tasting room, email, or call: Ann@LightningRidgeCellars.com, 520-455-5383.

Cheers!

“Since year-end 2010,” said Peggy Fiandaca, recently re-elected as president of the Arizona Wine Growers Association, “AWGA has experienced a 27% increase in total revenues and membership with 45 master growers and 18 growers in-development. The 2013 vintage was large and there is much anticipation for the wine it will produce.”

Statewide, there are over 60 licensed and bonded wineries—up from nine in 2004—and more are in the development process. As the vineyards are being pruned and prepped for the beginning of a new season, the AWGA gathered to select its leadership for 2013. Together, the board will work to advance with integrity the sustainable growth and production of authentic Arizona-grown wines.

Arizona Wine Growers Association 2013 officers (left to right): Casey Rooney, Barbara Predmore, Robert Carlson III, James Callahan, Peggy Fiandaca, and Kent Callaghan.

Joining AWGA President Fiandaca, Lawrence Dunham Vineyards, will be:

Willcox Regional Vice President: James Callahan, Aridus Wine Company

Sonoita Regional Vice President: Kent Callaghan, Callaghan Vineyards

Verde Valley Regional Vice President: Barbara Predmore, Alcantara Vineyards

Urban Vice President: Cory Whalin, SuVino Winery

Treasurer: Robert Carlson III, Carlson Creek Vineyards

Secretary: Casey Rooney, City of Cottonwood Economic Development

The AWGA also recognized the dedicated service of outgoing executive committee members Fran Lightly (Sonoita Vineyards), Rob Hammelman (Sand-Reckoner Vineyards), and John McLoughlin (Bitter Creek Winery).

In the coming year, the AWGA will work to further expand membership and strengthen its financial position. The organization will continue to play an active role in legislation in Arizona and Washington, D.C. and work with the Yavapai College Wine Center and viticulture/enology programs to help it move forward with funding and support. Plans include a series of educational seminars for members and others interested in the wine industry.

AWGA has confirmed the dates for yet another signature event, Wine Festival in the Pines, to be held in Pinetop-Lakeside this June 14-16. Rest assured, Arizona wines will continue to receive increased attention from respected experts as well as national awards for quality and taste.

Cheers!

Canelo Hills’ owners Tim and Joan Mueller tell their story on their website: “In 2003, a doctor, a counselor, and a classical singer, in true pioneering spirit, moseyed on down to the rolling ranchlands of Sonoita to plant some wine grapes. Now they harness Arizona-grown grapes to make award winning, old-world style wines.”

For 10 years, they’ve enjoyed the successes and challenges (freezes, frosts, hail storms, etc.) of running a family winery and producing fine Arizona wines; they are now ready to move on to other ventures.

The Muellers, owners of Canelo Hills Winery—l-r, Kathryn, Tim, Joan—embarking on new ventures.

Tim has been the winemaker at Canelo Hills. A Harvard and Stanford-educated doctor, he enjoyed turning his scientist’s mind to the art of wine making. Luckily, he liked to be busy—in addition to making the wine, he  served as handyman in his ‘free time’ from a full-time position as a psychiatrist at the VA Hospital in Tucson.

Joan has served as the business manager and farmer of Canelo Hills. She left a successful private practice in mental health counseling to tend to the needs and whims of the grapes and to run the tasting room; she generally ran the family farm.

Daughter Kathryn, has served the business as director of marketing while pursuing her professional singing career.

Flying Leap to take over

Canelo Hills is now under contract to one of the newest Arizona wine ventures, Flying Leap Vineyards. The owners of Flying Leap, Mark Beres and Marc Moeller, both 1991 graduates of the US Air Force Academy and seasoned pilots, are committed to the success of their business and brand. With the help and support of their families, they have made this the primary focus of their lives.

Mark Beres, hard at work in the Flying Leap vineyards.

“With developed acreage in both Sonoita AVA and Cochise County, Flying Leap will now offer a diverse portfolio of ultra-premium, carefully crafted wines from tasting rooms at its newest estate vineyard on Elgin Road along the Sonoita Wine Trail and its newest tasting room in historic downtown Willcox, opening in March,” said Beres.

Beres, a retired Special Forces pilot in two theaters of war, most recently worked in the engineering and system integration business at Raytheon. He grew up in the Walla Walla valley of southeastern Washington State and spent his formative years working in local vineyards and cattle ranching. He has enjoyed several years of successful large-scale commercial viticulture experience including all phases of vineyard development.

Marc Moeller tending to the weeds in the Flying Leap Vineyards

Among his many aviation achievements, Moeller served as an instructor pilot for Air Force II, which transports the Vice President of the United States. Moeller is a first-generation American who grew up with deep and diverse connections to his European family that owns a private vineyard, grows wine grapes, and has produced wines for many generations—he learned the wine-making craft first-hand.

These former pilots have more recently been flying much closer to the ground, plying their talents as farmers, engineers, and managers to the literal roots of establishing Flying Leap Vineyards in their Willcox vineyards, planted in 2011. Their humble mission: To be the Southwest’s most successful commercial vineyards and winery by sustainably producing premium wines from the highest quality Arizona-grown wine grapes.

It’s no mistake they chose to buy this winery ‘next door’ to Callaghan Vineyards; owner Kent Callaghan, their mentor and consultant hand-crafted Flying Leap’s 2011 vintage.

Stop in to say good-bye… and hello

Joan, Tim, and Kathryn (and their shop dogs) are winding down their stay in the Canelo Hills tasting room on Fridays and Saturdays for the rest of this month. Saturday, January 26 will be your last chance to stop by and wish them well and pick up some of the classiest wines in the region.

Beres said, “We are working like crazy to get everything ready to open. A massive sandblasted HDU Flying Leap sign—8-feet wide and almost 50-inches tall, weighing several hundred pounds—will be erected so visitors to the beautiful southern Arizona wine country can find us.”

This winery is located at 342 Elgin Road in Elgin, 7.5 miles southeast of the Sonoita Crossroads.

Cheers to the Muellers, Moellers, and Beres on their new ventures!

Over 30 wineries will celebrate the best Arizona wines on Sat., Nov. 17, at the fourth annual Arizona Wine Growers Association (AWGA) Festival at The Farm. Shake hands and drink the wine of Arizona’s own grape farmers and wine producers in the picturesque and peaceful pecan groves of Phoenix’s intimate The Farm at South Mountain

Participating wineries will represent growing regions from the Verde Valley in the north, Sonoita and Elgin in the south, and Willcox in southeastern Arizona.

As a nod to Arizona wine’s rich history, the festival is an officially-sanctioned Arizona Centennial event. The event will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and is limited to 1,000 guests. Adult guests over 21 with I.D. only, please.

The festival will include:

• Wine tasting with 31 participating Arizona wineries
• Picnic lunch prepared by The Farm Kitchen; tasty treats from other local Arizona favorites
• High-energy live auction for great prizes
• Educational seminars including food & wine pairing with Chef LaPrad from Quiessence and Curt Dunham, winemaker from Lawrence Dunham Vineyards

The festival will be preceded by a special event on Friday, Nov. 16. The Celebration of the Arizona Wine Growers is an opportunity to mingle and meet winemakers from across the state. The event is 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Quiessence Restaurant at The Farm at South Mountain.

The winemaker celebration is open to the public but capped at 150 guests. This special evening includes an awards reception followed by a specially prepared appetizers using local produce by Quiessence Executive Chef Greg LaPrad. Each course, from appetizers to desserts will be paired with the winning wines from the 2012 Arizona Grower’s Cup and Winemaker’s Medal competition. Each of the winning wineries will be present to discuss their wine and wine-making philosophy.

Ticket information for both the Celebration and Festival is available online.

“Novice or aficionado, this is a can’t-miss event for wine lovers to meet the folks behind the rising Arizona wine movement,” said Peggy Fiandaca, president of AWGA. “Come sip the juice from our state’s beautiful wine regions all in one place, in one of the most wonderful settings Phoenix has to offer.”

This Festival at The Farm is widely considered to be Arizona’s best showcase for its fine wines. Arizona is home to 63 licensed and bonded wineries operating throughout the state, and vineyards represent small, family-owned, low-water-use agriculture. The money raised from the festival goes to the AWGA’s commitment to advancing with integrity the sustainable growth and production of authentic Arizona wines. The industry creates jobs and keeps dollars in Arizona.

“The Arizona wine industry continues to grow and expand at a rapid rate despite the sluggish economy. Every year, more Arizona wines are being recognized for their outstanding quality and uniqueness. There is a growing buzz that Arizona is becoming the next great wine region in the U.S.” concludes Fiandaca.

Cheers, see you at The Farm!

To celebrate this bygone era, Arizona Hops & Vines is hosting its own Speakeasy on Saturday, November 10, beginning at 6pm. Just like back in the day, you’ll need to know the secret password to get in, so check that out on their facebook page. Then get your gangster and flapper look on for one of most rip-roaring times of your life.

All of this hoopla is in honor of sisters Megan Austin Haller’s and Shannon Austin Zouzoulas’ new gold-medal award-winning wine, the 2011 Moxy California Graciano. Made from Lodi Graciano grapes, this deep-dark beauty will hold her own with even the most fearless gangster.

The back label teases:

Moxy

1. Intestinal fortitude

2. Self-possessed confidence with an attitude of daring

3. Vigor, verve, daring

They say you are what you drink.

Do you have the Moxy to handle this wine?

In addition to AZ Hops & Vines standard menu of hand-crafted wines, Speakeasy attendees can enjoy Sand-Reckoner wines as well as Old World Brewery’s beers.

Don’t worry about getting busted by the Prohibition agents. On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, making alcohol once again legal.  But you should worry about driving back to Tucson after all that fun. There are several B&Bs in the Sonoita area, just ask your hostesses for directions.

Boop-oop-a-doop!

Julia also is known for her thought, “You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces—just good food from fresh ingredients.” That may just be the mantra of Renee Kreager of Renee’s Organic Oven. This week was my first experience dining in this sweet little nook of a Tucson restaurant at 7065 E Tanque Verde, and it will not be my last.

I chose the “Slice and a Glass” from the lunch menu for $8.00, and was more than pleased with my selection. The slice of pizza was a plate-sized portion of the good stuff. It was based on gluten-free crust (full and tasty, not the cardboard flavor I had come to expect), and featured fresh basil, crushed garlic, feta cheese, and two fresh vegetables of my choice—mushrooms and green peppers. The vegetables were warm but still crisp on delivery, and the garlic and basil married, celebrating with every bite.

The house red wine served was a certified organic (no added sulfites) Badger Mountain Pure Red—a tasty blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc—which hails from Washington’s Columbia Valley. It pleased me with a juicy and bright, slightly acidic taste with layers of cherry, vanilla, and a light spice. Perfect with that party that was going on with the pizza.

Julia would be certainly proud that Renee has combined fresh ingredients with a good wine for just the right touch. Bon Appetit! (I always wanted to say that.)

Coronado Vineyards Grape Crush

We move from Julia to another favorite mentor, Lucy, I’m wondering how many people ever wanted to duplicate her infamous to stomp around in a barrel of grapes. Now is your chance; no stomping experience necessary. Awarding winning Coronado Vineyards 6th Annual Grape Stomp is happening this weekend, August 18th and 19th, from 10:00am to 4:00pm both days. The event features two days full of festivities with live music, featuring GRIND Saturday and BUZZ & THE SOUL SENDERS on Sunday, food, and, of course, wine tasting. It’s your chance for a firsthand experience in winemaking.

Take the whole family for this festive Italian-tradition. Adults are $10 and admission includes a souvenir wine glass, all the grapes you can stomp to live music, and a wine tasting of the winery’s current releases.

Coronado Vineyards is located just a short trip east from Tucson at 2909 E Country Club Drive, in Willcox, Arizona.

Grape to Glass Symposium Teaches about Sustainable Farming Practices, Pairing Wine/Food

On Saturday August 25, 2012, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, Lawrence Dunham Vineyards invites you to help them celebrate this year’s harvest. Participants can learn more about the wine grape-growing and winemaking process at the 3rd Annual Grape to Glass Symposium, held at the winery in Pearce, Arizona. The event includes a tour of the vineyard/winery with the winemaker and gourmet lunch paired with Lawrence Dunham Vineyards’ wines. Lunch features locally-grown cheeses and produce, as well as mesquite-grilled beef paired with the winery’s Petite Sirah that received 88 points from Wine Spectator (2nd highest rating for an Arizona grown wine), grilled salmon and shrimp, perfectly paired with Sky Island Grenache, plus a variety of salads and desserts.

Cost is $65.00. Register for the Grape to Glass Symposium at (602) 320-1485 or online.

Wo(men), Wine, and Wellness for Girl Scouts

Now that school’s started, it’s time to take a deep breath and “wine down” at Wo(men), Wine, and Wellness, on Friday, August 24 2012, 6:00 until 8:00pm, at Self-Centered Yoga & Fitness, 4425 N Campbell Avenue.  Plenty of wine will be served along with live music, local gourmet food with Kuisine by Kathy, artwork by painter Calvin Hammond and photographer Liora Kutler, Aveda Spa attention, and jewelry by Ruby Jane. Win prizes, mingle with the community, and enjoy an evening of fun while giving to the Girl Scouts of Southern AZ. Tickets are online under Yoga Events for only $20 in advance & include a free yoga class pass. At the door price is $25 without a class pass. RSVP is necessary.

Sarah Hammelman, San Reckoner Vineyards, ready to pour tastes of wine at the Willcox Spring Wine Festival 2012

So many Arizona wines, so little time! At the Willcox Spring Wine Festival last month, I selected a few new releases to try, not expecting much—it’s difficult to tell how wines perform with food and guests after only a few sips. After all, they were ‘new’ and I couldn’t expect much, right?

I chose wines from three Willcox vineyards that are considered ‘new kids on the block’—the ones who are just now beginning to offer their first wines. But in a state where more than 20 wines from eight wineries have already scored at least an 88 rating from Wine Spectator, I wanted to see if these new wines were ready to stand up to that standard. I’m happy to report that the new vintners are approaching the trade with a wealth of knowledge gleaned from predecessors in the state’s vineyards and are successfully serving up their own unique style and palates.

Golden Rule Vineyards Manzora Red 2009

The Golden Rule Vineyards Manzora Red 2009 is as impressive as any of the state’s wine I’ve tasted. Fortifying the fruity spicy estate Zinfandel (85%) with 15% California Petite Sirah from Shell Creek Vineyards has added the deep purple color and a heavier-than-typical-Zin-but-smooth texture. This wine was a wonderful partner to my grilled portabella stuffed with pesto and goat cheese.

Owners Jim and Ruth Graham established the first vines in 2007 at Golden Rule Vineyards, located on the western edge of the historic Sulphur Springs Valley in Cochise County, nestled near the North tip of the Dragoon Mountains. The vineyards enjoy a unique combination of quartz and limestone soils, excellent water resources, and high-elevation climate—intense sunlight, warm days, cool evenings, and near constant air flows. Bravo with the Manzora!

Sand-Reckoner Vineyards “2” 2010

Sand-Reckoner Vineyards is located on the Willcox Bench at 4,300 feet, tended by Rob and Sarah Hammelman. Winemaker Rob began his wine journey in Arizona in 2000, while taking a summer off from teaching Humanities and Sciences to work in the vineyards of Callaghan Vineyards (Sonoita/Elgin Region) alongside Kent Callaghan, one of the Arizona wine pioneers. Rob’s early experience ignited a passion, and his dream began to grow vines and make wine in Arizona.

Enter the couple’s first red—the Sand-Reckoner Vineyards 2010 “2″ (70% Sangiovese, 30% Syrah) is deep ruby in color with pretty aromatics of black cherry, spice, and smoke. On the palate of this firmly structured wine, you’ll be intrigued by notes of blackberry-infused black tea, vanilla bean, and cinnamon. It finishes with dusty tannins and plenty of bright and vivid acidity.  Enjoy it now, or store it (4-6 years, according to the winemakers) for special occasions that involve great salads, seafood/salmon fare, and hearty cheeses.

Zarpara Vineyards Rhona MacMillan ready to pour tasting of the latest release: Verdelho 2011.

I actually enjoyed some “2” with a grilled veggie burger loaded with fresh garden tomatoes, avocado, onion, and spinach. Gratification personified!

Just as I was putting the finishing touches on this blog post, Sand-Reckoner Vineyards announced the release of two newer wines—2011 Rosé and 2011 Malvasia Bianca. Can’t wait to get back to Willcox to try these out!

Zarpara Vineyards Verdelho 2011

Mark Jorve and Rhona MacMillan, working with Rob Hammelman of Sand-Reckoner, have brought their third fine wine to the table with the release of a highly palatable white—Zarpara Vineyards Verdelho 2011. The wine is rich and fragrant with pleasant notes of apricot, tropical fruit, and cotton candy. This dry white 100% Verdelho was barrel-fermented for a full 8 months in 100% neutral French oak, then aged on the lees, 80% in barrel and 20% in stainless steel.

This delightful Zarpara white will become a go-to wine for the fish and salads I tend to eat all summer long. I chose to enjoy my first bottle with a sautéed halibut and a spinach-and-spring-mix salad and tomato, dressed with a balsamic vinaigrette and shaved Parmesan—the perfect ending to a perfect ‘pre-summer’ 100-degree day in Tucson. Bellissimo!

Cheers to another round of wine winners from Arizona wineries. Looking forward to many more!

More than 60 Arizona wines produced by more than a dozen wineries will be showcased for your tasting pleasure. Come meet many of the winemakers themselves, up close and personal.

Live music will entertain both days of the festival; an art giveaway by TRUST the gallery and a silent auction will take place on Saturday. The $10 fee includes 6 wine tastings, a commemorative glass, and live entertainment.

Whether you prefer serious, bold reds; vibrant, crisp whites; dry, spicy, subtle, food-friendly blends; sweet or dessert wines—there’s something to tickle you palate. Discover new favorites, revisit the ones you’ve already learned to love, that’s what a wine tasting festival is all about!

I’m going to make a weekend of it—already booked a Willcox hotel (there are plenty). See you there.

Cheers!

A selection of Arizona wines on display at AWGA's The Festival at the Farm

“The opportunities of the Arizona wine industry are great; there is no reason that Arizona cannot be the next billion dollar wine region like Washington and Oregon. The Arizona wine industry is excited about the start of the 2012 growing season. The increase in vineyard acreage and the fantastic wines being produced will support our efforts to put Arizona on the map as a quality wine-making and grape-growing region,” said Peggy Fiandaca, president of the Arizona Wine Growers Association.

Southeastern Arizona is the third major wine grape growing region and one of the fastest in the amount of acres being planted. Vineyard acres are expanding, wine production is increasing, and the quality of Arizona wines is being recognized. There are now over 60 bonded wineries in Arizona, up from only nine in 2000. However, wine grape acres have not kept up with the demand, resulting in Arizona wineries purchasing grapes from outside of the state. According to recent reports, the California wine grape supply is facing long-term shortages due to myriad of issues facing that industry, including water. That could cause concern.

A recent study, funded by the Arizona Office of Tourism and published in The Arizona Wine Tourism Industry, June 2011 edition, found that the wine visitor had an estimated $22.7 million in direct expenditures resulting in a total economic impact of $37.6 million, supporting 405 total jobs.

According to Eric Glomski, co-owner and director of winegrowing at Page Springs Cellars, “We are pretty excited about this year’s growing season because it appears we have finally skirted the frost season. It’s been a few years since we have had a decent sized harvest; and, if the long-term forecasts out there come in even close to predictions–this should be the year.”

Eric says that they have planted an additional 16 acres at the Page Springs estate and are managing the Colibri Vineyards in the Chiricahua Mountains in Southeastern Arizona. They are focusing on Rhone red and white varietals but have some Pinot Noir in a cool site and planted Vermentino, Teraldage, and Counoise.

In Arizona’s oldest wine region, the anticipation for a good growing season is also high. Kent Callaghan, Callaghan Vineyards winemaker in Sonoita, had their first vintage in 1991. The past two years have been low yield in the Sonoita area, due to frost and hail events. But, today, Callaghan’s estate winery is looking forward to a really good year in the vineyard.

He said, “We have planted new varieties that will produce small crops so we can get a feel for them here (Fiano, Vermentino, Petit Manseng, Malbec, Carmenere, and Touriga Nacional). We also planted about two acres of whites (Petit Manseng, Malvasi Bianca, and Roussanne).” Kent anticipates harvesting a sizable crop of Graciano from their 3.25 acres planted. “It looks like a good, fun year so far,” he stated.

 Weather issues have not been limited to the Sonoita/Elgin region. “After two spring frost years in a row, we had very minimal damage from the only frost event in mid-April,” according to Curt Dunham, owner/winemaker of Lawrence Dunham Vineyards in Pearce, AZ (Willcox Region).  “So far [this year], we have a very encouraging amount of buds in the entire vineyard. Our Viognier, which is typically considered a light producer, is absolutely loaded with buds. If we get a good fruit set and normal weather, it should be a very good year in terms of volume.”

Arizona wines have not gone unnoticed. More than 20 wines from eight Arizona wineries have scored at least an 88 rating from Wine Spectator. In a recent blind taste test featuring several high-profile judges, Arizona wines beat out noted wines from around the world, grabbing three of the top five spots in both the red and white competitions. Arizona wines also took first place for both red and white.

Cheers to a good year ahead and a healthy harvest for Arizona grape growers.

[Information provided by Patti King, Arizona Wine Growers Association Executive Director]

Farming is a family affair at AZ Hops & Vine

About an hour east of Tucson on Highway 82 in Sonoita, Arizona, a start-up winery is pulling out all the stops with its first annual Bacchanal Festival, this Saturday, May 12, from 10am till 6pm.

The all-day Arizona Hops & Vines festival will include wine and beer tastings (featuring Borderlands Brewery microbrews), homemade root beer, and fantastic food from local Sonoita restaurants—including K&As Mexican food, Canella’s Bistro, The Steakout, Ranchouse, Viaggio’s, The Sonoita Café, Tia Anita’s Cantina, Civas Mias, Planet & the Crepes, and Santa Rita’s Table—paired with wines from Arizona’s best wine country, family crafts, a petting zoo with baby goats to feed, and more—something for all ages. I’m guessing  a few of their ‘signature’ palate-cleansing Cheetos will be available as well. There is a nominal $10 entrance fee (kids free) and $2 tickets for pairings.

Arizona Hops & Vines is described as a “cheeky little winery run by two crazy awesome sisters, Megan and Shannon, with a ton of help from their friends and their many children.” While their own grapes are still young, they feature a portfolio of a half dozen wines that will rock your sock off, that they’ve made with grapes sourced from Arizona, California, and New Mexico vineyards. My personal choice is Imbibe—a very full-bodied California Petite Verdot; but I understand that Hops & Vines The Fluffer has become a local favorite.

Hops & Vines sisters Megan and Shannon crushing grapes.

I am drawn to the spirit of the Hops & Vines winery by Megan’s and Shannon’s contagious enthusiasm and optimistic vision. They have entered into this venture with a good deal of firsthand grape-growing and winemaking experience under their belt, eyes wide open, and an extended family that doesn’t mind the hard work.

Let’s all gather to celebrate this first Bacchanal festival and welcome Hops & Vines to the growing fold of Arizona grape growers.

Cheers, I’ll see you there!