Let you hair down and have fun stomping grapes at 1:30pm either day. Sonoita Vineyards is located at 290 Elgin-Canelo Road, just 3 miles south of Elgin (about an hour and 15 minutes from Tucson).

Great Arizona Grape Stomp 5Ks return

Running through the Keeling Schaefer Vineyards in the 2010 Grape Stomp 5K

The Great Arizona Grape Stomp, a series of four different 5K Fun Runs, is back for round two. This is a fun way to make a tour across Arizona enjoying the fresh air, beautiful unique landscape, and tasting some fabulous wines.  Liberate your Juice is this year’s theme.

I enjoyed participating in the inaugural Grape Stomp race series in 2010, so I’m putting on my training gear to get in shape for this. I particularly enjoy running in the high desert where Arizona’s vineyards and wineries are located—it’s always a few degrees cooler than here in Tucson.  Mostly, I love tasting the amazing wines and meeting the wonderful wine people throughout the state.

The Grape Stomp 5K series kicks off with a run through the vineyard in Willcox, AZ, on September 10, 2011. On October 1, 2011, participants will run through historic Old Town Cottonwood in the Verde Valley region. We’ll head to Sonoita on October 22, 2011, to run through the scenic vineyards of Elgin. The final leg will be held to kick off Arizona Wine Week on November 1, 2011 with a run around the fountain in Fountain Hills, AZ.

Participants will receive a Grape Stomp t-shirt, a logo wine glass with which you can taste local wines for a discount following the race, and a goody bag.  Proceeds from The Great Arizona Grape Stomp 5K Fun Runs benefit the Arizona Wine Growers Association, which serves grape growers and winemakers in Arizona, allying its members for representation, promotion, and education. The association strives to advance the sustainable growth and production of authentic Arizona-grown wines. Registration is $35 per person per race.

CataVinos Wine Shoppe & Tasting Room, 3063 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ

When Tucsonan Beth Holick learned about all the animals that were displaced as a result of the Monument Fire in Southern Arizona, she immediately contacted CataVinos Wine Shoppe owner, Yvonne K. Foucher, and set up a benefit for those who were taking these animals in. This Sunday, July 10, from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, wine lovers and animal lovers will unite for the cause at the store, located at 3063 N. Alvernon.

RSVPs are recommended (323-3063). The cost is $20 per person; half of each person’s admission will be shared by the New Frontier Animal Clinic who cared for more than 250 displaced animals, and World Care.

Holick said, “I hope you’ll join me for a relaxed afternoon of sipping our favorite beverage from the vine and help in this fundraising benefit to aid those critters in need.”

Art and Wine in Willcox

"Shattered Rock" by artist Archie Sutton

TRUST, the gallery at Keeling-Schaefer Vineyards, will be featuring the mixed media copper art of Archie Sutton in the tasting room in Willcox, AZ on Saturday, July 16, from 3-7pm. Winemaker Rod Keeling will also be presenting Keeling-Schaefer’s new wine releases. The tasting room is located at 154 N. Railroad Avenue, in Willcox. Visit us on the Web at www.willcoxtrust.com.

Canelo Hills grapes gaining ground

‘Farmer’ Joan Mueller tells us, “The Canelo Hills Winery’s vineyard is bouncing back from the setbacks of the past year. A month ago the vines were looking pretty shabby. They had experienced three successive spring frosts, the last one on May 10. That means they are one month behind schedule and the crop load is small. But they are there.

“The Cabernet Sauvignon is sending up beautiful green shoots, the Syrah is growing its unruly canopy, and the Tempranillo is setting up a nice crop. I don’t know what will happen with the late start but that will be an interesting development to follow for the rest of the growing season.”

That’s good news from the vines, let’s all think thoughts of a hearty harvest this year.

Cheers!

Willcox, AZ

Coronado Vineyards is adding three new wines to its family this weekend.

• Voodoux is a delightful blend of white wines seduced into releasing their inhibitions and ample fruitiness, while maintaining a delicate balance of glamour and allure—an excellent accompaniment to oysters on the half-shell and other tempting treats.  This wine is made to be enjoyed with someone you find extraordinary.
• The 2010 Riesling is a traditional German-style Riesling, pairing nicely with summertime fare, fruits, and cheeses.
• Coronado is also welcoming back the Two Heads Red, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese.  An old favorite of many.

A fun celebration for the three new wines for Coronado Vineyards will kick off this Saturday, June 25, from 10am to 4pm followed by the first Coronado Vineyards winemaker dinner at 6pm (reservations for dinner required).

Meet the winemaker behind the wine and learn about your favorite blends at Coronado Vineyards. Wine lovers and those just beginning to appreciate the grape will learn just how to pair their favorite foods and wine. Each person will take away a little information about wine to impress guests at your next gathering.

The winemaker dinner evening will begin with assortment of fresh appetizers prepared by Chef Zach and nicely paired with the new Coronado Vineyards Voodoux. The cold beef habanero blood orange vinaigrette salad will feature the vineyard’s new 2010 Riesling. Source verified pork medallions an apple puree, jasmine risotto and chef vegetables will delight palates when perfectly paired with the reinvented Coronado Vineyards Two Heads Red. Dessert is still ahead on the menu. A sweet finish to the evening with a delectable dessert paired sweetly with Coronado’s gold medal Dolce Veritas.

A meet and greet with Coronado’s winemaker, Philippe Liotto, will entertain and enlighten guests.

“This is Coronado’s first Winemaker Dinner and we are thrilled with the chance to have new palettes try our new additions,” says Jacque Cook, owner of Coronado Vineyards. “This event is new for us and will surely become a tradition for many years to come.”
Coronado Vineyards is located in the Willcox wine region.

The music and entertainment promises to be incredible. On Saturday, May 14, Tom Freestone will play jazz, standards & folk-rock, On Sunday, May 15, local favorites from Bisbee, Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl, will provide an eclectic mix of styles along with a few their own critically acclaimed songs. On Saturday the 14th at 4:00 pm, TRUST (the gallery at Keeling Schaefer Vineyards, Willcox) will give away an original artwork from a local artist. Everyone who buys a bottle of wine will be entered in the drawing. The winner must be present to accept the prize.

Also on Saturday, in conjunction with the event and directly across the street, TRUST will hold a silent auction from 12-2:00pm; stop by and bid on your favorite piece(s) and then come back for more tasting, food, and live music.

Wineries represented will include Lawrence Dunham Vineyards, Sand-Reckoner Vineyards, Pillsbury Wine Company, Jerome Winery, Kief-Joshua Vineyards, Arizona Stronghold Vineyards, Carlson Creek Vineyard, Coronado Vineyards, Keeling Schaefer Vineyards, Page Spring Cellars, and Kokopelli Vineyards.

Dragoon Cafe, which specializes in made-from-scratch fresh foods, desserts, drinks and catering, has put together a fantastic cheese-fruit-chocolate plate especially for this event. In addition, they’ll be serving freshly made sirloin, veggie, garlic-lime pork, or chicken burritos and more.

Escape the Tucson heat; head on over to Willcox. Cheers!

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!

Next stop was just down the road at Canelo Hills Vineyard that revealed its 2008 Canelo Hills Sunrise, the “perfect house wine.” This blend of Nebbiola and Syrah (in roughly equal proportions) is made with grapes from AZ Stronghold Vineyards and Sweet Sunrise Vineyards. It tastes of pomegranate and cranberry. The finish is crisp, clear, and acidic, thanks to its 12.9% alcohol content. This is a great lighter red wine to be enjoyed in the coming warmer months, but it’s a great everyday wine year-round.

Tucked back off Elgin Road a ways, Rancho Rossa Vineyards is unpretentious. The tasting room/winery is surrounded by nearly 24 acres of orderly grape vines, ready for the growing season ahead. Owner Sarah Hamilton cheerily greets us and pours a few selections. My favorite was the 2006 Rancho Rossa CSM, a blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot grapes, all grown on the Rancho Rossa estate.

Hamilton explains that this wine has been aged in American and French Oak for 18 months, and may have been a “mistake” fashioned by winemaker husband Chris Hamilton, who was talking during its creation. But it’s no mistake that this is a totally enjoyable wine. It is fruit-forward as expected, and complex as blends should be; the finish is slightly dry and refreshing. Rancho Rossa donates ten cents to the American Cancer Society for every bottle of wine sold.

These wines and many of those reviewed in a previous Pour Me Some Grapes blog will be among the 40-some Arizona wines being poured at the Sunday, April 3, 2011 Arizona Wine Tasting Festival at CataVinos Wine Shoppe & Tasting Room in Tucson (call (520)323-3063 for details). The 2:00pm-5:00pm event will feature nine Arizona wineries from around the state. If you haven’t visited the three wine regions in Arizona (Verde Valley to the North, Sonoita/Elgin to the Southeast, and Willcox to the East), or if it’s been a while since the last time, here’s your chance to sample just a few amazing wines waiting to be discovered by your palate.

Cheers!

Vignerons Eric Glomski and Maynard Keenan of Arizona Stronghold Vineyard in Cochise County, AZ, offer up Nachise – a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, and Mourvedre aged in French oak. The 2009 release has a beautiful nose of concentrated dark fruit, mocha, tar, sweet cigar smoke, and hints of pumpkin spice. The hearty and textured mouth-feel is full-fruit jammy but balanced, with a multi-layered finish. This one will be super with that hearty holiday meal featuring roast lamb.

This wine commemorates Nachise, the youngest and fiercest of Cochise’s sons. After the death of his older brother Tazi, Nachise became leader of the Chiricahua Apache and resumed raids to reclaim his ancestral homeland alongside Geronimo.

Charron Vineyards, Vail, AZ, has added two new wines to its line-up. First, is the Merlot Blanc De Noir — another white wine from black grapes. This one is a drier version of the White Merlot, made by fermenting out more of the natural sugars. It pairs well with chicken, seafood, and pasta dishes.

At last, Charron now offers a 100% red Merlot, just in time for the holidays. This medium-bodied, well-balanced wine offers good structure and refined tannins. The delicious wine is easy to enjoy on its own or pairs well with grilled or smoked red meat and fish.

The Fool by Bitter Creek Winery is a blend of grapes from Jerome, AZ, and Willcox, AZ — 33% Cabernet, 33% Syrah, and 34% Zinfandel. Its smoky nose gives way to a zesty ripe berry taste with a smooth finish – another wine that will stand up to the strongest of cheeses and meats.

Bitter Creek wine labels feature Tarot card characters, created by popular Verde Valley artist Rick Wyckoff. I love the saying on the back of the bottle: “Going through life without a care, Just one step ahead of life’s challenges.” I believe I identify way too much with that sentiment; does that make me a fool? No, just a fool for a good wine, so I chose this one.

I’ve discovered the best way to finish off any holiday meal or gathering is Lightning Ridge Cellars 2007 Afterglow. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, this dessert wine is only slightly sweet with a subtle cinnamon taste and finish. Its light style can be savored as the perfect finish to a perfect meal – you’ll likely want more than one glass of this one.  It’s even better paired with dark chocolate or fudge.

If you’re in the Sonoita area over the holidays, stop by the winery. Winemaker Ann Roncone will serve you up some of her own personal fudge recipe to demonstrate the power chocolate adds to this wine. Priced at only $15 per bottle, Afterglow makes a great hostess gift.

I wish to thank my newfound Arizona wine friends for introducing me to many magnificent wines, pleasant times, and good cheer. I look forward to pouring many more glasses of your grapes in the coming year.

Cheers to a weather-friendly 2011 for winegrowers everywhere!