Robert Craig celebrates three decades of producing distinctive Cabernet Sauvignons from vineyards in the highest, most remote reaches of the Valley. He has been a pioneer in Napa Valley mountain vineyards and a visionary in creating a new wine style for mountain Cabernets that emphasizes ripe fruit, supple tannins, and early balance and integration.

The Robert Craig wines being tasted will be: 2008 Affinity Napa Valley, 2001 Spring Mountain Cabernet, 2007 Mt. Veeder Cabernet, 2008 Howell Mountain Zinfandel, and 2008 Durell Chardonnay.

All wines will be available for purchase at amazing retail prices. Cases of 6 or 12 can be pre-ordered; mix and match available. All pre-orders will be signed by Robert Craig. Wine tasting attendees will also receive 10% off their entire dinner bill if they stay for dinner. Reservations are recommended.

 GRAPE STOMP 5K—next stop: Verde Valley

This Saturday, October 1, runners and walkers will gather in Historic Downtown Cottonwood in Northern Arizona for the second leg of the Arizona Wine Growers Association’s Grape Stomp 5K. This year’s theme is Liberate Your Juices, and this is surely a great way to do that.

Racers will begin in Old Town at 8:00am, run to Dead Horse State Park, crossing the Verde River, and finishing back in Old Town. After the run, you can stay, relax, eat, shop, and enjoy the wine tastings rooms. Then take in some music and food at the Rhythm & Ribs Festival in Old Town or venture out to the wonderful and scenic wineries in the countryside surrounding Cottonwood. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at what Cottonwood and the Verde Valley have to offer its visitors.

Race day check-in and registration takes place at Crema Café from 6:00-7:30am. The starting line is at the Lions Club Park on the corner of Main Street and Willard Street. Be there by 7:30 a.m.

Canelo Hills Winery celebrates Anniversary

Head on down to Canelo Hills Winery this weekend for their 4th anniversary celebration.

Vintners Joan and Tim Mueller will be pouring in the tasting room from 11:00am-4:00pm both Saturday, October 1, and Sunday, October 2, featuring the release of two new red wines: Zinfandel and Syrah. There will be vineyard and winery tours hourly to show off eight years of history since they started digging. And don’t forget the anniversary cake.

Bring your own glass for a discount on the tasting. Canelo Hills Winery is located on Elgin Road, just about an hour’s drive from Tucson. Congratulations to the Muellers on reaching this milestone.

Cheers!

Running through the Keeling-Shaefer Vineyards in the 2010 Grape Stomp 5K

We’re heading to Willcox, AZ for the the first leg of the 2011 Grape Stomp 5K, series sponsored by the Arizona Wine Growers Association on Saturday, September 10 to participate in a 5K jaunt through the beautiful Coronado Vineyards. What better way to enjoy Arizona’s beautiful wine regions than with your family and friends than running, jogging, or walking with other wine lovers through the vineyards? Well, wine tasting at the other wineries in the Willcox growing region will be a perfect follow-up to a fun morning.

This year, the 5K races are set for the following dates and locations:

Race 1: September 10th at Coronado Vineyards, Willcox in Southeastern Arizona. Racers will be able to run through the vineyards at this award-winning winery. Following the race enjoy wine tasting at the area wineries in Willcox.

Race 2: October 1st in Historic Downtown Cottonwood in Northern Arizona. Racers will begin in Old Town, run to Dead Horse State Park, crossing the Verde River, and finishing back in Old Town. After the run stay, relax, eat, shop and enjoy the wine tastings rooms. Then take in some music and food at the Rhythm & Ribs Festival in Old Town or venture out to the wonderful and scenic wineries in the countryside surrounding Cottonwood. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at what Cottonwood and the Verde Valley have to offer its visitors.

Race 3: October 22nd in the Sonoita/Elgin area in Southern Arizona. Racers register starting at 7:00 a.m. at Callaghan Vineyards and the course runs through Rancho Rossa’s Vineyard, along scenic Elgin Road with views of the Huachucca Mountain range, the Biscuit, and rolling grasslands. The finish line is at Callaghan Vineyards with refreshments and an awards ceremony. Childcare provided for children under running age (limited space available, RSVP to kelly@doscabezaswineworks.com).

Race 4: November 5th at the Fountain Park in Fountain Hills in Central Arizona. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with race start at 9:00 a.m. The race course traverses Fountain Hills Park with beautiful views of Four Peaks, Red Mountain, and the park’s centerpiece fountain. A mini-wine garden will be open from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. where non-racers can enjoy a taste of Arizona wines for a fee (wine tasting for racers is included in their registration), an art fair, and special Fountain Hills Cultural Council docent-led public sculpture tours will follow the race.

To register for any or all of the races, go to at the Arizona Wine Growers Association website. The registration fee of $35.00 includes a runners’ tote bag, event t-shirt, wine glass, and discount coupons. The wine glasses can be used at local wineries for discounts. Many of the wineries have formed teams so join your favorite winery team to receive a discount of $5 dollars for teams of 10 or more.

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.