The Wilhelm Family Vineyards in the Sonoita/Elgin wine region will be hosting two wine and cheese socials, featuring the pre-release of three new wines:  Kristian’s Kianti II; Unwind; and Karyl’s Kreation II.  The socials are set for Saturday, October 23, and Saturday, October 30, both 6:00 to 8:00pm.

Fresh goat cheeses will include raspberry chipotle chevre; sun dried tomato and basil queso fresco; bacon cheddar chevre; and green onion and chive queso fresco.

Participants also will enjoy Karyl’s Harvest to Barrel tour, a great opportunity to tour the winery with the owner and see how wine is made. A few small tastes of wine currently barrel-aging might even be in order (the Syrah and Zinfandel?).

Karyl Wilhelm says these socials provide wine lovers the chance is a great way to try and buy the wines before they’re released in the tasting room. Cost is $20 per person; seating is limited, so please make reservations quickly. Wilhelm Family Vineyards is located at 21 Mountain Ranch Drive, Elgin, AZ, phone 520-455-9281.

Arizona vintner makes it to Best of Best list

The Viognier 2009 vintage produced by Sam Pillsbury, Cochise County, Arizona winemaker, was named on the Wine Inquirer’s Best of the Best list. The $36/bottle wine is described as sporting a gorgeous burst of floral essence and hints of tangerine, lime and peaches. It pairs ideally with fish, Asian-style cuisine, and roast pork.

There was a time when Arizona’s surging wine industry was a well kept secret. No more. National acclaim continues to flow as Arizona wines get nod after nod of acceptance.

Get ready for Arizona Wine Week

The Arizona Wine Growers Association will celebrate with the first-ever Arizona Wine Week, beginning Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.

To kick it all off, AWGA is wrapping up the Great Arizona Grape Stomp 5K in Phoenix on Saturday, October 30. The run starts at Parkway Church (1751 E. Maryland Ave., Phoenix) in North Central Phoenix and runs along the Arizona Canal. Runners will receive a free wine glass that can be used for discounted wine tasting at two after parties – The Duce and the Phoenix Public Market, both in downtown Phoenix. Bring your friends and family for a good time!

The Arizona Wine Week celebration will take place at Arizona vineyards and wineries throughout the state, culminating Saturday, November 6, with The Festival at The Farm, the association’s signature event.

The festival is preceded by the Celebration of the Arizona Growers Reception on Friday, Nov. 5, 2010. Guests can mingle and meet with winemakers from across the state, including Arizona Grower’s Cup and Winemaker’s Medal award winners. There will also be an opportunity to sample top scoring wines from the 2010 competition. The event takes place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Quiessence Restaurant at The Farm at South Mountain.

Set among the pecan groves of Phoenix’s intimate The Farm at South Mountain in Phoenix, the festival offers wine lovers an opportunity to sample the best from across the state, all in one place. More than 20 local wineries are expected to attend, representing growing regions from northern Arizona’s Verde Valley, southern Arizona’s Sonoita and Elgin, and southeastern Arizona’s Willcox.

The festival will include tastings from more than 20 Arizona wineries, plus a picnic lunch catered by Barbara Catering, live auction for packages that include access to top Arizona chefs and winemakers, live music, and seminars.

Tickets for each event are $65; $120 for both.

Kokopelli Krush koming

Kokopelli Winery, Arizona’s largest and most decorated winery, will be hosting its biggest event in the KRUSH history – the ninth annual Kokopelli Krush, sponsored this year by Mercedes Benz of Chandler. The event has been ranked as one of the top 10 things to do in Phoenix.

Taking place on October 22 through October 24 in historic downtown Chandler, the Kokopelli Grape Krush competition will be held for teams of two to win great prizes, from wine to trips.

Friday’s schedule is from 5:00pm to midnight, featuring two Krush heats at 7:00pm and 11:00pm. On Saturday, there will be three heats at 1:00pm, 7:00pm, and 11:00pm. One heat will be held on Sunday at 1:00pm, and then the finalists from each day will compete for the grand prize at 3pm. Live music will provide the entertainment between heats.

New awards will be presented in two new categories this year — a corporate team division and a children’s division 12 and under.

All the activity will center about the Kokopelli Winery and Bistro at 35 W Boston Street in Chandler.

Is there such a thing as kosher wine that is actually good, beyond Manischewitz? Find out for yourself, Sunday, September 26, between 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

Sample six fine wines which happen to be kosher at the Temple Emanu-El Women of Reform Judaism Beyond Manischewitz Kosher Wine Tasting. Five local chefs will pair their favorite recipes with kosher wines for the event. Chefs will also give cooking and wine pairing tips for trying their recipes at home.

Sample food offerings will be from 47 Scott, elle wine country restaurant, Naked Food & Fitness, Shlomo & Vito’s, and Sous Chef. Coffee tasting and sparkling cider will also be available. The event is a fundraiser for continuing Jewish education opportunities for Kurn Religious School teachers.

Tickets are $36 in advance or $42 at the door. Beyond Manischewitz will be held in the Temple Emanu-El Sukkah (located in the Biblical Garden) at 225 N. Country Club Rd.  For more information or to purchase tickets contact Lori Riegel at 327-6722 or lriegel@templeemanueltucson.org.

Grape Stomp 5K in Willcox next weekend

There’s still time to sign up for the third “stomp” on the Arizona Winemakers Association Grape Stomp tour will lead you 3.1 miles through the Keeling Schaefer Vineyards in Willcox, on September 18th, beginning at 7:00am.

After the race, enjoy wine tasting in the Willcox area; take your commemorative glasses to the local wineries to receive discounts. Or take a hike in the Chiricahua National Monument. (I’m personally going to taste the wines.) Contact the Arizona Wine Growers Association for more information.

Sedona Winefest 2010 scheduled

The weekend of September 25 and 26, 11:00am till 5:00pm, will be a busy one at the Sedona Airport with the Sedona Winefest 2010. The event will be located on the airport mesa, taking advantage of the substantial parking available as well as spectacular views. The Winefest will be joined by the airport’s traditional airport open house and fly in, and the classic car show on the first day of the event, September 25.

The two-day wine festival celebrates the wine growing industry of Arizona, particularly the wineries in the Verde Valley region: Freitas Vineyard, Javelina Leap, Caduceus Cellars, Merkin Vineyards, Jerome Winery, Bitter Creek Winery, Page Springs Cellars, Arizona Stronghold, Alcantara, Pillsbury Wine Co., Oak Creek Vineyards, Juniper Well Ranch Vineyards, and Carlson Creek Vineyard.

The entry fee of $12.00 will include an 18-ounce commemorative Winefest glass and six tasting tickets. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase wine by the case, bottle, and by the glass from all the participating wineries.

The Sedona Arts Center’s “Artists in Action” program will also be featured — over a dozen artists who are also instructors at the art center will demonstrate their artistic skills. Visitors will be able to join in and get on the pottery wheel to see if they can create a masterpiece.

The Sedona Winefest pavilion will include a food court with a variety of menu items and snacks throughout the day. Entertainment scheduled on Saturday is Steve Douglas’ gypsy jazz trio, ZAZU; on Sunday, patrons will enjoy the popular trio Soundscape Sedona, featuring Susannah Martin.

On Saturday, September 25, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, the airport will also host the annual airport open house and fly-in plus the classic car show. Included in this family event will be the 1929 Ford Tri-Motor aircraft which was is only one of five such aircraft still flying in the world. Rides on the Tri-Motor will be offered for $60 a person. Other aircraft, including four brand new, state-of-the-art airplanes representing the best of American aircraft manufacturers will be on display. The Sedona Car Club will once again host their competitive 100+ car show with car buffs from around the state completing for prizes for best of show.

For more information, contact Sandy at sandy@sedonawinefest.com.  Or contact the website. is: http://www.sedonawinefest.com.