Hey, Arizona wine lovers, looking for something fun to do this Labor Day weekend? Head on up to Oak Creek Canyon in Cornville, AZ, to the Page Spring Cellars 6th Annual Harvest Festival. Scheduled for this Sunday, September 4, at the Page Spring Cellars Estate Vineyards, doors will open at 3:00 pm and music begins a half hour later.

This  family owned winery and vineyard is tucked into the volcanic landscape overlooking pristine Oak Creek, just 15 minutes south of Sedona. Page Springs Cellars offers delicious Rhone style wines, gourmet food selections, and breathtaking views.

“It’s been a particularly rich year, and we anticipate our annual harvest will produce some of the best wines we’ve ever bottled and distributed,” says Eric Glomski, founder of Page Springs Cellars.

While enjoying the amazing wines, you’ll be entertained by a host of fabulous musicians. The Wicked Koalition features a number of touring and recording musicians who have appeared with popular musical legends of the last 30 years, including names like Elton John, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks and B.B. King.

Joining them will be Lemo, featuring Caribbean inspired Calypso and Soca sounds, peppered with a hint of rock.  

Also taking the stage will be San Francisco and Monterrey Bay area favorites, Alisa Fineman and Kimball Hurd, who have earned national acclaim touring all over the country.  

Last, but certainly not least, Flagstaff local favorite Bluegrass Muskellunge, a contemporary quartet, will churn out high energy bluegrass, great harmonies and fast picking.

Page Springs Cellars wine will be available of course along with delicious food. The hay bale maze will entertain the young ones.

Tickets cost $38 ($28 for Page Springs Cellars and Arizona Stronghold Wine Club Members).  Tickets will be $10 more on the day of the event—if any are left for sale. All kids 12 and under are free admission. There will be no onsite parking, free shuttles from offsite lots will be provided.

Call 928.639.3004 x222 or email reservations@pagespringscellars.com for more info.

CataVinos Wine Shoppe, 3063 N. Alvernon Way, location of first Taste of Arizona Wines, Sunday, April 3.

What’s your favorite Arizona wine?  What’s that you say? “Ewwww, you’ve got to be kidding, Arizona wines???” Time to be surprised, be VERY surprised—winemakers and grape growers have honed their trade and the state’s vineyards have matured; Arizona wines now rank among my favorites. I am constantly pleased and amazed by the quality of wines being produced throughout the state.

 This Sunday, April 3, 2:00pm-5:00pm, over 40 wines from 10 of those Arizona wineries will be showcased at the first ever Taste of Arizona Wines event at CataVinos Wine Shoppe & Tasting Room.

As I write this blog, an enormous outdoor tent is being constructed in the back parking lot of the wine shop at 3063 N. Alvernon Way and the pouring tables soon will be moved into place. Tasting sheets are being printed, food prepared, and last minute details are being tended. “It takes a village to put on an event of this magnitude,” claims shop owner Yvonne K. Foucher. But it will be worth the effort to silence those Negative Nans and Doubting Dans as to the quality and value of Arizona produced wines.

Bitter Creek Wines among those showcased at Taste of Arizona Wines in Tucson

Participating wineries will include Lightning Ridge Cellars (Elgin), Rancho Russo (Elgin), Canelo Hills (Elgin), Charron Vineyards (Elgin), Kief Joshua Vineyards (Elgin), Carlson Creek Vineyards (Willcox), Bitter Creek Winery, Jerome Winery, Dribble Creek Wines (Jerome), Arizona Stronghold (Cottonwood), Page Springs Cellars (Cornville), and Casavinos Winery (Phoenix).  Wines will include single varietals, amazing blends, whites, reds, sparkly, dessert, and after-dinner selections—something for everyone—many will be poured by the winemakers themselves.

The cost is only $15 per person (over 21 please), with discounts of $5 of $50 or more wine purchase and $15 off the purchase of a case.

The entertainment will only sweeten the event, as singer Anna Warr teams with Mike Kuhn on the sax to deliver incredible jazz and blues.

Speaking of sweet

Earlier in that same day, April 3, from 1:00pm-3:00pm, Taste of Chocolate will be held at the Doubletree Hotel on Alvernon, across from Reid Park. There will be 45 chocolatiers with their creations available for tasting and purchase, and Lightning Ridge Cellars from Elgin, AZ will be pouring several of their wines. The event benefits the Rincon Rotary Scholarship Program and PolioPlus. Entry fee is $10 per person.

Cheers to one great wine-ing weekend!