Wine Tasting in Willcox, Arizona: A Fun and New Wine Region

(Last Updated On: March 10, 2022)

In the southeastern part of Arizona lies a less-known wine region: Willcox. This area is an up-and-coming wine region that offers some pretty decent wine. Willcox produces 74% of the wine grapes grown in Arizona. Wine tasting in Willcox is a great way to spend the day, especially if visiting Tucson. Sometimes throughout the year, Willcox also hosts a variety of festivals which make for a fun weekend excursion.

History of Willcox

Willcox was originally founded as the town of Maley in 1880 as a stop along the Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1889, Willcox was renamed to honor General Orlando Willcox, an officer for the Union army in the Civil War. Throughout the 1900s, the area became a cattle and agricultural center. In 2016, it officially became a major wine region in Arizona. 

A tree next to a vineyard. #arizonawine #winetasting #uswineregion

How to get to Willcox

Tucson is the closest major city to Willcox. You can fly direct into Tucson International Airport from many places in the western United States. From Tucson, take the 10 east for about 80 miles. Then get on the 186 south to get out to the tasting rooms. This will take about an hour to an hour and a half from downtown Tucson. 

When to Visit Willcox

Since Willcox is a lesser-known wine region, it is not very busy. I recommend NOT visiting in the summertime as it can get really hot in the desert which is not conducive for wine tasting. 

Where to Stay in Willcox

There are not a ton of places to stay in Willcox, so I recommend staying in Tucson. If you do opt to stay in Willcox, the locals recommend the Sunset Inn. If you choose to stay in Tucson, Hotel Congress is a fun historical hotel to stay in Downtown Tucson or opt to stay in one of the many chain hotels. 

Transportation around Willcox

You will need a car to get around Willcox. This provides more flexibility and is more cost-effective. There are also some companies that run tours out to Willcox. These cost over $100 and last the entire day. 

A pile of rocks next to a vineyard. #arizonawine #winetasting #uswineregion

Best Wineries to go Wine Tasting in Willcox

Willcox has about 10 different wineries to visit. The following are some of my favorites I have visited. Note that many of the wineries also have tasting rooms in Tucson if you do not want to make the journey out to go wine tasting in Willcox. 

Something that is unique about many of the Willcox wineries is that you can bring your own glass. Some wineries even give you a discount if you bring your own glass. The wineries charge you more if you do not want to use a disposable glass as you get to keep your wine glass when you are finished. 

Birds and Barrels Vineyards

A patio with lights, tables, and chairs. #arizonawine #winetasting #uswineregion #willcoxaz

Cost: 5 tastings for $10

Hours: Fri-Sat: 11am-5pm, Sun: 1pm-5pm

Address: 5000 E Arzberger Rd, Willcox, AZ

Best Wine: Dry Riesling

Birds and Barrels was established in 2015 as a family owned winery. They produce 10 different wines: 7 red and 3 whites. Their tasting room is located amongst the vineyards in Willcox and offers a nice place to sit and enjoy some wine. A tasting comes with your choice of 5 wines. You can also get additional samples for $2 each. Overall, it was a fabulous place to chill and go wine tasting in Willcox. I enjoyed their dry riesling the best. 

Bodega Pierce Vineyard and Tasting Room

Two glasses of wine, a dump bucket, and a menu sitting on a table. #arizonawine #winetasting #uswineregion #willcoxaz

Cost: 6 tastings for $12

Hours: 12pm-5pm

Address: 4511 E Robbs Rd, Willcox, AZ

Best Wine: 2019 Pandora

Bodega Pierce was easily my favorite winery for wine tasting in Willcox. To taste here, you must make an appointment. You get 6 tastes for $12, so if you go with a partner, you can sample all of their wines. I enjoyed all of the wines, but my favorite was the Pandora which was a white blend. It is perfect to sip on a hot day. 

Copper Horse Vineyards

A wine tasting counter with wine bottles a table and chairs. #arizonawine #winetasting #uswineregion #willcoxaz

Cost: 5 tastings for $8

Hours: Thus-Sun: 11am-5pm, Closed Mon-Wed

Address: 180 N. Railroad Ave. Willcox, AZ

Best Wine: 2018 Riesling

Copper Horse Vineyards shares a tasting room with Golden Rule and Strive in Downtown Willcox. It makes it easy to try a lot of wines and a convenient place to go wine tasting in Willcox. 

The Copper Horse Vineyards are located at the foothills of the Chiricahuas Mountains. They are an organic and biodynamic winery -different than the others in the area. A tasting here costs $8 for 5 tastes or $10 if you want to keep your glass. They produce a really great Riesling, that is perfect for hot weather.

Golden Rule Vineyards

A sign for Golden Rule Vineyards. #arizonawine #winetasting #uswineregion #willcoxaz

Cost: 5 tastings for $10

Hours: Thus-Sun: 11am-5pm, Closed Mon-Wed

Address: 180 N. Railroad Ave. Willcox, AZ

Best Wine: 2018 Eureka

Golden Rule contains 26 acres of wine grapes located in the Sulphur Springs Valley and produces 11 varietals. They source to a lot of other vineyards in the area as well. We really enjoyed their 2018 Eureka which is an Italian blend. 

Keeling Schaefer Vineyards

Tall racks of wine in a room. #arizonawine #winetasting #uswineregion #willcoxaz

Cost: 4 tastings for $8

Hours: 11am-5pm

Address: 154 N. Railroad Ave. Willcox, AZ

Best Wine: Best Friends Reserve Viognier

Keeling Schaefer produces a TON of different wines. Their tasting list was pages long and it is a good place if you only want to make one stop. However, it was the least favorite of all the wineries as I felt many of the wines were too sweet for me. 

Sand-Reckoner Vineyards

Two glasses of wine, a dump bucket, and a counter. #arizonawine #winetasting #uswineregion #willcoxaz

Cost: 5 tastings for $12

Hours: 2pm-6pm

Address: 510 N 7th Ave #170, Tucson, AZ 

Best Wine: Orange Roussanne

Sand-Reckoner is one of the most popular wineries for wine tasting in Willcox. The tasting room is actually located in Tucson, but the vineyard is in Willcox. Tastings are 30 minutes by appointment only. You will get to try 5 different wines and they have 13 total varietals they make. They had some fun wines and you could tell they have been around the longest of the Willcox wineries. 

Strive Vineyards

A large room with wine and a tasting counter. #arizonawine #winetasting #uswineregion #willcoxaz

Cost: 5 pours for $15

Hours: Thus-Sun: 11am-5pm, Closed Mon-Wed

Address: 180 N. Railroad Ave. Willcox, AZ

Best Wine: Picpoul Blanc

Fee waived with 2 bottle purchase, glass with tasting

Strive is a newer vineyard to go wine tasting in Willcox. Right now they source their grapes from other vineyards, but the wine is really good. I loved all the ones I tried, but the Pocpoul Blanc and the Rose were my favorites. For a unique wine, make sure to try the Aglianico.

Zarpara Vineyards

A house with a patio. #arizonawine #winetasting #uswineregion #willcoxaz

Cost: 5 tastings, $10 with take home glass, $6 without

Hours: Fri-Sun 11am-5pm

Address: 6777 South Zarpara Lane, Willcox, AZ 

Best Wine: Monastrell

Zarpara Vineyards offers a laid-back atmosphere with vineyard views. Founded in 2010 with the tasting room opening in 2012. They have 7 different varietals. A tasting here will set you back a whole $6, $10 if you want to take home your glass. The fee is waived with the purchase of 3 bottles.

Ruins of a building among dry grass by a hill. #arizonawine #winetasting #uswineregion
Ruins of a fort against a hill in dry grass. #arizonawine #winetasting #uswineregion

Other Things to do Besides Wine Tasting in Willcox 

There are several things that you can do in Willcox besides wine tasting. In their cute little downtown area, there are a few places to eat or you can take in a movie at the local theater. There is also the TRUST Art Gallery which promotes the area’s local artists. The Marty Robinson Museum and the Rex Allen Museum are dedicated to country music. 

Near Willcox are also a few National Park sites that are worth a detour. Fort Bowie National Historic Site was once an outpost of the United States army. The US has had several clashes there with the Native Americans. Present-day, you can opt to take a 1.5-mile hike in to the site to see the ruins of the old fort as well as a small museum. 

You could spend an entire day wandering around the 12,000 acre Chiricahua National Monument. This site contains a ton of impressive hoodoos and balancing rocks. It offers a ton of awesome day hikes and a few tours.  

Willcox is a great stop when on an Arizona road trip or if you are heading to White Sands National Park or New Mexico. If interested in more wine tasting in Arizona, head up to the Verde Valley for some other fun wineries or to California for some premier wine regions. It is located near Sedona and also possible as a day trip from Phoenix.

One of the lesser-known wine regions in the US is Willcox, Arizona. Wine tasting in Willcox is a great way to spend the day, especially if visiting Tucson. #arizonawine #winetasting #uswineregion #willcoxaz
One of the lesser-known wine regions in the US is Willcox, Arizona. Wine tasting in Willcox is a great way to spend the day, especially if visiting Tucson. #arizonawine #winetasting #uswineregion #willcoxaz

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Kaitlin
Kaitlin
2 years ago

This really makes me want to go to Willcox! Arizona wines are pretty darn tasty!

Ildiko
2 years ago

Great post! Somehow I never think of Arizona as a wine region, but 10 vineyards in that one area is quite impressive. It’s interesting that most of the “best” or “favorite ” wines are white. I would think that they would be a lot more refreshing than bolder reds in that climate. The tasting fees are very reasonable and I love that they let you take your own glass! I’ll definitely check out this area when I get to Tucson.

Megan R Layton
2 years ago

Wow, I only know a little bit about Wilcox, but from that I would never have guessed there was so much wine! Makes the heat a little easier to bare. 😉

Cecilia
2 years ago

I don’t believe I have ever tried an Arizona wine, but I do love wine tasting! I am glad that it is close to so many monuments and parks. White Sands National Park is on my bucket list so I might have to add Wilcox to the itinerary!

Deb
Deb
2 years ago

I had never thought of Arizona mixing with Wine. Thanks for putting this on our radar. Definitely added to the list. Sounds like some great nearby adventures as well to pair it with!

Erica
2 years ago

Arizona wines are new to me, but I would love to try them in these beatiful tasting rooms! Wine tasting mixed in with visiting some of the local attractions you mentioned (like the Chiricahua National Monument!) would be an ideal day. Thanks for the tips on bringing our own glasses and the need for appointments at some of them.

Kayy
Kayy
2 years ago

I always wanted to visit a vineyard. I always think of Cali but I can definitely start in Tucson. I also need to get my license so I can drive around.

Brittany
2 years ago

I haven’t spent a ton of time on Southern Arizona! Wilcox sounds like an awesome place to visit. Thanks for sharing!

Agnes
2 years ago

Our last AZ road trip was focused on the national parks, so we were all, “Dang, Arizona is so DUSTY!” Wine could’ve helped I’m thinkin’. Next time!

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