Arizona contains three different wine tasting regions: Willcox, Sonoita, and the Verde Valley. Although Willcox may grow the most wine, the Verde Valley is the most popular region to visit. The Verde Valley is located in Central Arizona near Sedona at an elevation of 3,000-5,500 feet. This encompasses the towns of Sedona, Jerome, Campe Verde, Cottonwood, and Clarkdale. Wine Tasting in the Verde Valley is the perfect day trip from Phoenix or Flagstaff or a nice addition to a weekend in Sedona. You can also make it a part of an Arizona road trip.
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History of the Verde Valley
The Verde Valley first came to be in 1583. Antonio de Espejo took note of the region during that time. Later, the area saw a flood of people for gold and silver mining. Present-day, the Verde Valley is known as one of the most popular wine regions in Arizona.
How to Get to the Verde Valley
The Verde Valley is located about 2 hours from Phoenix. Phoenix International Airport has flights from all over the world and lots of direct flights from surrounding states. From California, you can sometimes find flights for $100.
To get to the Verde Valley from Phoenix, hop on the 17 North for 103 miles. Then get on the 260 west for 14 miles.
If coming from Flagstaff, take the 40 west to the 17 south. Drive for 49 miles then get on country road 30 for 14 miles.
When to Visit the Verde Valley
The Verde Valley is a great fall and wintertime destination. The weather is perfect for wine tasting and it will be less busy than the springtime. In the summertime, it is very hot, so keep that in mind if you choose to visit during that time.
Where to Stay in the Verde Valley
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Verde Valley and Sedona hotels here!
There is a scattering of boutique hotels across the Verde Valley. The most popular area to stay in would be Sedona, but hotels there can be a bit pricey. We opted to stay at the Best Western in Cottonwood which was still a bit expensive. To save money, I recommend making the Verde Valley a day trip from Phoenix as hotels in Phoenix are a lot more affordable.
Best Wineries to Visit in the Verde Valley
The Verde Valley contains quite a few wineries. The following are some of the best wineries for wine tasting in the Verde Valley.
Alcantara Vineyards and Winery
Cost: $15/tasting
Hours: 11am-5pm
Alcantara Vineyards and Winery has over 17,000 vines and produces 17 different varietals. A tasting here costs $15 for 4 tastes. It has an expansive outdoor area and always has some sort of food vendor on the weekends. It is the perfect winery to stop for lunch when wine tasting in the Verde Valley.
Chateau Tumbleweed Winery and Tasting Room
Cost: $10 and up
Hours: 12pm-7pm
Chateau Tumbleweed is run by two couples who worked at other Arizona wineries before creating their own. They crafted their first wine in 2011 and have been at it ever since then. Chateau Tumbleweed sometimes does some unique wines so always keep an eye out for those. Make sure to make a reservation as it is one of the most popular places for wine tasting in the Verde Valley.
DA Ranch
Cost: $15 and up
Hours: Wed-Sun: 11am-6pm
DA Ranch is a popular estate for wine tasting in the Verde Valley. In 2008, they produced their first wines and now produce 1,500 cases a year. Their most popular varietals are Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tannat. The atmosphere is what makes DA Ranch such a popular stop!
Merkin Vineyards
Cost: $2/taste
Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-9pm, Sun: 10am-9pm
Merkin Vineyards might be one of my favorite wineries when wine tasting in the Verde Valley and in Arizona. They have 110 acres of land and produce some really delicious wines. I also like that you can get food at their tasting rooms (both Cottonwood and Scottsdale) as well. Merkin has some unique wines such as an orange Italian wine and a Pet Nat (natural sparkling wine).
Page Springs Cellars
Cost: $12 and up
Hours: Sun-Fri: 11am-7pm, Sat: 11am-9pm
Another great winery for wine tasting in the Verde Valley is Page Spring Cellars. They also have a huge indoor and outdoor tasting area. You can opt for a tasting or just buy a bottle to enjoy on the property. Page Springs has a ton of great white wines.
Dinner at COLT 805 Grill
After you have spent the day wine tasting in the Verde Valley, make sure to head to COLT 805 Grill for dinner. This is one of the best barbeque places in the area and it has an awesome outdoor eating area. Everything we tried was delicious and they have some fun cocktails as well.
Other Wine Tasting Regions
Interested in visiting other wine regions? The United States has a ton of awesome wine regions, especially in California, to visit. From the classic Napa Valley to other California regions such as Healdsburg, Paso Robles, Santa Maria, and Temecula, there is a ton of amazing wine to be had.
