5 Best Wine-Country Towns In Arizona

Arizona knows its grapes. The state is home to three wine regions, each responsible for producing award-winning vintages that are enjoyed by connoisseurs across the country. Arizona’s three federally recognized American Viticultural Areas are the Verde Valley, the Wilcox Wine Region, and the Sonoita Wine Region. These idyllic areas are known not just for their wines but also for their hospitality and picturesque surroundings. Picture charming small towns tucked away in the Arizona high desert and rolling grasslands. These top wine-country towns provide the perfect backdrop for a weekend getaway, a relaxing break, or a couple’s romantic retreat.

Willcox

Located in the heart of the sprawling 833-square-mile Willcox Wine Region, the city of Willcox is the perfect base from which to explore the more than 20 wineries operating here. The area’s high-elevation soil and high desert climate produce the perfect conditions for bold reds, so look out for varietals such as grenache, tempranillo, and mourvèdre.

Start your tasting in the heart of historic Willcox with Keeling Schaefer Vineyards. While the actual vineyard is on a 29-acre mountainside plot outside town, the winery operates a tasting room in a former 1917 bank building across from the town’s historic Railroad Park. Try snacks on the patio with your tasting or take your wine across the road to enjoy a picnic in the park.

Enjoy more of the spectacular scenery of wine country at Chiricahua National Monument, a stunning park dotted with unique rock formations. You can drive the 8-mile scenic road to Massai Point for incredible views or hike some of the 17-mile trails to see the rocky wilderness up close.

Grab a bite after your outdoor adventure at Olive’s Vineyard Cafe, a farm-to-table eatery in the beautiful surroundings of Rhumb Line Vineyard & Lavender Farm with views over lavender fields, olive trees, and vines.

Cottonwood

The epicenter of the Verde Valley wine region, Cottonwood is a pretty town sandwiched between the Sedona desert to the north and Mingus Mountain to the south. It’s a popular spot on the Verde Valley Wine Trail with nine destinations located within Cottonwood’s historic Old Town.

You may not be able to visit all nine, but you can’t miss Da Vines Vineyard, recently voted Best Winery in the Verde Valley by readers of the Verde Independent. Da Vines has a tasting room and bistro in Cottonwood’s historic district that pairs delicious meals with their locally grown grapes. Enjoy live music with your wine on Saturday nights, come for a long, leisurely Sunday brunch, or just pop in for a tasting before selecting a bottle as a souvenir.

Good wine also pairs well with good art. While you’re in Old Town, check out the Hart of AZ Art Gallery, an eclectic gallery on Main Street that showcases mixed media works from local artists, including pottery, paintings, sculptures, and more.

If you’ve time, spend a few hours at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, located less than two miles from Old Town Cottonwood. A picturesque paradise on the banks of the Verde River, the park contains over 20 miles of hiking trails through forests, alongside lagoons, and by the riverbanks. Rent a bike to explore the 15-mile Lime Kiln Trail, which connects Dead Horse Ranch State Park with Red Rock State Park and is considered one of Arizona’s best bike rides.

Patagonia

A playground for wine-lovers and outdoor adventurers alike, Patagonia is part of the Sky Islands, a series of Arizona mountain ranges that reach from 6,000 ft to nearly 10,000 ft high. This stunning landscape has produced some great grapes. Try them for yourself at Queen of Cups, a tucked-away tasting room where you can easily lose a few hours sipping some samples. A standard tasting typically includes five different wines: white, rosé, and red. Queen of Cups also offers a boutique menu of small plates to pair with your wines.

After lounging over a wine-filled lunch, pay a visit to the Patagonia Museum, housed in a 1914 schoolhouse, to see displays on the art, culture, and history of eastern Santa Cruz County. The museum has a busy schedule featuring talks from local artists, children’s workshops, seasonal events, and historical presentations.

Catch more culture at the Benderly-Kendall Opera House, a performing arts venue where you can hear live classical chamber music, choral performances, and recitals from visiting musicians. Look out for the ‘street piano’ just outside the opera house. Housed in a waterproof hut and colorfully decorated, the piano is available for anyone to sit and share a tune.

Jerome

Jerome is a former mining town in the Verde Valley that can trace its history back to the 1800s. Once one of the busiest cities in Arizona, the town collapsed with the mining trade in the 1950s but was revived when it rebranded as an artist’s retreat and wine destination.

Before sampling its legendary wines, step into Jerome’s fascinating past with a trip to Jerome State Historic Park. The main attraction in the park is the Douglas Mansion, built in 1916 by the developer of the Little Daisy Mine and the Little Daisy Hotel, which housed miners. The Douglas Mansion is now a museum and exhibit space that tells the story of Jerome’s mining history.

Back in Jerome, head to Caduceus Cellars to sample wines from Merkin Vineyards, one of the top vintners in the region, and founded by local legend Maynard James Keenan, who helped campaign for the Verde Valley’s certification as an American Viticultural Area. Caduceus Cellars & Merkin Vineyards now produces around 14,000 cases of wine per year. Try some at their tasting room on Main Street, where you can browse the bottle store or sample a tasting flight if you’re having trouble deciding which wine to take home.

See works from Jerome’s creative community on display at Firefly Gallery. Inspired by Arizona’s stunning outdoors, these functional and decorative items make a great souvenir. Pick up metal sculptures, clay pottery, glasswork, handcrafted jewellery, or a unique woodcarving.

Sedona

Surrounded by a striking red rock landscape, Sedona is known for its otherworldly sandstone rock formations that attract hundreds of eager hikers, climbers, and bikers every year. The town is also the gateway to the Verde Valley Wine Trail. One of the stops on the trail is Winery 1912, which serves Spanish and Iberian varietals grown at Dragoon Mountain Vineyard from its tasting room in uptown Sedona.

Sample from a few different growers with a SIP Sedona Wine Tour. The company specializes in group wine tours where guests can visit vineyards, tasting rooms, and breweries while enjoying a scenic drive through Sedona’s incredible scenery.

Enjoy more sightseeing and get up close to those spectacular rock formations at Red Rock State Park. Book a guided hike to see some of the park’s famous landmarks or go it alone on one of the paths in its 5-mile trail system. Take the Eagle’s Nest Loop to climb to the highest point of the park and snap some jaw-dropping vacation photos.

Wine Down in Arizona’s Laidback Small Towns

Arizona’s wine industry is booming, growing from just over 50 wineries in 2011 to over 150 in the market today. These vineyards are driving tourism and introducing Arizona wines to the world, but the southwestern state has more to offer than delicious vintages. These inviting Arizona communities, nestled in its scenic wine regions, showcase the best of the state’s signature hospitality and rich heritage. Book a weekend away or take a day trip to these dynamic destinations to enjoy good wine and a warm welcome.