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Wineries off the beaten path
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Arizona is home to three American Viticultural Areas (AVA). Not only does Arizona have wineries within the AVA, it also offers a few other wineries for visitors who like to explore beyond the boundaries. These can be found here: Arizona's Wine Trail Passport which includes an interactive map.
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There are more than 120 wineries and tasting rooms in five regions around the state offering a variety of experiences. Below are a few experiences outside of the three established AVAs.
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Just north of Phoenix on the way to Prescott - off Highway 69 - you can find two wineries which have planted their grapes and built their wineries in the Dewey-Humboldt area.
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Mogollon Vineyards has garnered regional and national wine competition awards from 2018 through to 2021 and is open Fridays-Sundays and food will be available every Saturday and Sunday from March through December. Other offerings include live music, yoga and pour-a-glass classes.
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One to watch: Their newer neighbor in the area, AZ Setting Sun Vineyards will soon be opening to the public
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Bruzzi Vineyard is the first vineyard in Gila County (east of the Phoenix metropolitan area) and is located in the scenic and historic town of Young, Arizona in the Pleasant Valley. Part of the adventure of visiting this vineyard in the small community of less than 1,000 people is the journey getting there. Truly off-the-beaten-path and surrounded by the Tonto National Forest, part of the road is paved, and part is not. In addition to their exceptional wines, they also offer local farm products and a farm stand. On select evenings there are special dining events making this drive even more worthwhile. Be sure to sign up ahead of time as this can be very popular. The vineyard also raises llamas and with reservations and a small fee, you can schedule a "Meet and Greet" with these seemingly smiling camelids.
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If you want to try Bruzzi Vineyard wines but want to try them in a location that is a little more accessible, their newest location is in Superior, Arizona. This location features wine tastings, a boutique and is just a few doors down from the world-class La Paloma Art Gallery. Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, reservations strongly recommended.
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One to watch: Tierra Madre Vineyards is a neighbor to Bruzzi's and although they don't have a tasting room yet, while you are in the area, you are welcome to stop by and visit this operation in progress.
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From Superior Arizona, drive another 24 miles and look for Sancho, the inspiration and mascot for Waggin' Vineyard & Estate. This little jewel of a vineyard amidst the cactus, hills and mines is right on US 60 in the town of Globe, Arizona. The tasting room is open Thursday, Friday & Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and extended hours on Saturday nights until 8:30 p.m. The 4000 square foot patio offers fire pits and radiant heat in the cooler months and misters to keep you cool in the summer months. Although it was the owner's dog, Sancho, which provided inspiration for the vineyard's name, there is a menagerie of other animals in the Waggin' Train Zoo! For a nominal fee, meet their four pygmy goats, three donkeys, a mini horse, and three alpacas. The vineyard is pet-friendly and there is even a dog-selfie station to capture the perfect picture to remind you of the day. In the words of Sancho... "Our wine will make your tail wag!"
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Not too far from the historic Route 66 just north of Kingman, three established wineries can be found on Winery Row.
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Nestled in a beautiful, high-desert valley and surrounded by Peacock, Long and Music Mountain ranges, Stetson Winery and Event Center is the perfect location to stretch out and watch beautiful hues of fuchsia, gold and copper light up the sky as the evening sun sets.
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Sunday afternoons offer music of local talent at the tasting room from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m and there is plenty of space to bring your own picnic. For those travelling along Route 66, the tasting room is a great stop on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays. Other days may be available by appointment only.
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If you want an authentic experience stomping grapes, then August is a great time to visit the winery.
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Cella Winery in Kingman has the oldest vines in the area at 15 years old and uses a non-invasive, handcrafted wine making process that allows the unique flavors of each individual wine to shine. The grapes were lovingly planted in 2007 by then-owner Carlos Cella, who determined the soil quality was better than that in California wine country. The new owners are carrying on his traditions. They are open Thursdays - Sundays. For those who drive along with their RV's, they are a member of Harvest Hosts.
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Little Old Wine Drinkers Winery is a petite boutique winery that makes seven different wines from their estate grapes as well as some from the neighbors and California. Join them for Sunset Saturday nights where you bring your own meat to grill and a side to share and purchase a little wine. The Vineyard has a local feel with visitors coming locally from Lake Havasu, to Las Vegas to Flagstaff. The winery's name came from the song Little Old Wine Drinker Me originally sung by Dean Martin and a song that the owner sang in his previous life as a lounge singer in Las Vegas.
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For more information about things to do and see in Arizona, please visit:
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