Arizona wine country: The 3 regions + their top wineries

Explore Arizona wine regions and uncover the state’s best-kept secret: bold, unique wines from high-desert vineyards.

Arizona has no shortage of visitors every year. With its beautiful and diverse terrain, luxury resorts, top-notch golf courses, and, of course, the Grand Canyon, people come from all over to explore and experience the state. But allow me to let you in on Arizona’s best-kept secret: its wine.

With a viniculture history dating back to the 1600s, Arizona produces some of the most unique and experimental wines around. Each of its three American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)—the Verde Valley (north of Phoenix), Sonoita (near Tucson), and Willcox (southeast)—has distinct growing conditions, yet all produce exceptional wines.

Let’s dive deep into each region and explore the different wineries and spots you can visit.

Verde Valley

Sip red wine among the red rocks in Verde Valley. Situated about two hours north of Phoenix, south of Flagstaff, and near Sedona, the Verde Valley rises above desert temperatures and landscape, nestled among beautiful red rocks and mountainous terrain.

Fun fact: The Verde Valley AVA covers just 200 square miles within the larger Verde Valley region, which spans approximately 714 square miles. Why the difference? Much of the land is public and unavailable for viticulture, and many areas are too steep for proper cultivation.

While the Verde Valley is cooler than Arizona’s lower deserts, it still has a relatively warm climate compared to surrounding regions. This makes it ideal for warm-climate grapes like Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Malvasia Bianca, and Viognier.

The region is home to 25 different tasting rooms, each with its own unique character. This abundance has earned the area the nickname “Little Napa.” With so many spots to explore, it’s the kind of place you’ll want to visit again and again. Here are my top three favorites.

1. Javelina Leap

Javelina Leap is a second-generation, family-owned and operated winery located in historic Page Springs, just outside of Sedona. The 10¼-acre winery sits atop the extinct volcano, House Mountain. The Javelina Leap Estate vineyard is best known for its Legacy Zinfandel and Legacy Sparkling Rosé. Many of its other wines are crafted using grapes sourced from other regions of Arizona and nearby wineries.

When visiting Javelina Leap, you have two options: a tasting flight or a guided tour. The tasting flight includes five current wines for $24. Once you’ve made your selection, the staff will walk you through each pour and answer any questions.

For a deeper experience, you can opt for the $95 per person tour, which includes a private walk through the vineyard and winery. Along the way, you’ll learn about Arizona’s wine history, their old-world style of wine production, and end with a tasting straight from one of the premium barrels.

2. Page Springs Cellars

Next up, we have Page Springs Cellars, located on the banks of Oak Creek in Cornville, AZ. Most of their wines come from four estate vineyards: three in the north and one in the south.

The Page Springs Home Vineyard, planted in 2004, produces rustic, savory wines thanks to its cooler temperatures. House Mountain Vineyard, planted in 2011, yields well-structured, perfumed wines from its warm and varied terrain. Dos Padres Vineyard, also from 2011, is the warmest site and produces dark, age-worthy wines. Colibri Vineyard, situated at 5,200 feet in the Chiricahua Mountains, boasts the coolest climate and produces the spiciest, most austere wines in its portfolio.

When you visit, you’ve got all kinds of options. Head to the bistro for a meal and tasting. Their flights range from $15 to $18, including standard, reserve, and dessert options. If you want to take it outside (which I highly recommend, thanks to the beautiful grounds and refreshing mountain air), they also offer a special picnic menu with curated food and wine pairings.

If you’re looking to dive deeper into the wine side of things, Page Springs offers a variety of tours that take you in and around the grounds. They currently offer three guided experiences: the Estate Winery Tour, the Barrel to Bottle Tour, and Private Tours. Each one highlights a different aspect of their process, with prices ranging from $12 to $44; private tours have custom pricing.

3. Alcantara Vineyards 

I don’t want to pick favorites, but if I did, I’d have to go with Alcantara Vineyards. Alcantara isn’t just a winery; rather, it’s a whole experience. This family-owned local business dates back to 2004, when husband and wife Barbara and Bob Predmore set out to grow grapes and create wines. After plenty of searching, they found the perfect spot: the confluence of Oak Creek and the Verde River. The soils, climate, and varied terrain in this area are strikingly similar to the wine regions of Italy and France. Today, the winery has more than 20,000 vines and grows 17 different grape varieties. It’s known for its award-winning reds, whites, rosés, and dessert wines.

While Alcantara is deeply focused on its wine, it’s equally committed to creating a welcoming environment for all who visit. In addition to daily tastings ($20 per person) and complimentary winery tours, you can sign up for a water-to-wine kayaking tour, SUP yoga on the Verde River, horseback rides, or beach yoga.

If you’re looking for a more in-depth wine experience, you can book a private tour with winemaker and vineyard manager Ron Brumely. This guided experience includes a vineyard walk, cellar presentation, and private wine tasting, along with a deep dive into the story behind the wine.

Sonoita 

Drink high-quality wine at high elevation. Just 45 minutes south of Tucson, Sonoita sits between 4,000 and 5,000 feet in elevation and is surrounded by four mountain ranges. It’s also home to Arizona’s first AVA, covering 28,000 acres.

Though cooler than the low desert plains, Sonoita receives an average of 280 days of sunshine a year. Still, the weather can be turbulent and unpredictable, presenting ongoing challenges for winemakers.

But those challenges are part of the appeal. The region is home to 22 wineries, all embracing Sonoita’s dramatic climate and topography to produce everything from warm-climate grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to cooler-climate varieties like Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Winemakers here view the region’s extremes not as obstacles, but as creative fuel, an opportunity to craft bold, complex, and expressive wines.

Each Sonoita winery reflects the unique character of the region, but here are three that stand out.

1. Rune 

Go off the grid with a stop at Rune Winery. Rune sources grapes from across Arizona, from Willcox to the Verde Valley, and also produces small-batch wines from the three acres of Grenache, Viognier, and Syrah planted on their property. They even craft wines from grapes grown in Sonora, Mexico.

Visiting Rune is a tasting experience unlike any other. Tastings are held primarily outdoors, where you’ll sample five or six wines, including a rosé and a rotating selection of whites and reds, under a shaded canopy with panoramic views of towering mountains and high desert grasslands. Tastings are $15, or $20 if you’d like to take home a souvenir glass. No reservations necessary!

Alongside the wine, Rune offers fresh, seasonal snacks, charcuterie boards, sandwiches, non-alcoholic drinks, and more. It’s dog- and kid-friendly too, making it a welcoming stop for any group.

Fun fact: Rune is the only solar-powered, off-grid winery in Arizona!

2. Sonoita Vineyards 

Sonoita Vineyards has been doing this for a long time, and doing it well. They planted their first vines in 1974 and opened to the public a decade later in 1984. With over 30 acres under vine, Sonoita consistently produces award-winning wines; one of their Cabernet Sauvignons was even served at a Presidential Inauguration Gala. Yet, even with their success, every bottle is still hand-labeled, capped, and bottled in small batches.

Situated at 5,000 feet, the estate vineyard grows a wide variety of grapes, including Chardonnay, Mission, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir.

When you visit, you’ll have plenty of ways to enjoy your time. Their daily tasting includes a rotating selection of four wines and costs $15, or $20 if you’d like a souvenir glass to take home.

Looking for something more immersive? Book a private tour. These 60 to 90 minute experiences cost $45 per person and require a reservation. You can also opt for a private tour that includes lunch and a tasting. And if you’re visiting in August or September, don’t miss their Crush Wine Tasting Tour, an opportunity to witness the winemaking process up close during harvest season.

3. AZ Hops and Vines 

AZ Hops and Vines might just be the most unique, and definitely the most fun, winery in the Sonoita area. Born from big dreams, hard work, and a whole lot of hope, this woman-owned winery doesn’t take itself too seriously. And that’s the best part. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel the laid-back, welcoming atmosphere. No wine snobbery here, just good vibes and good wine. The only rule, however? Bring a great attitude—how can you not when you’re surrounded by good wine and great views?

Tastings are just $10, with the option to add a $5 souvenir glass. And forget the standard wine-and-cheese pairing; here, your wine comes with Cheetos. Yes, really. Don’t knock it till you try it.

While you’re sipping, make sure to stop by the wishing barrel in the middle of the tasting room. Write down a wish, fold it up, drop it in the barrel, ring the bell, and everyone takes a drink. If you happen to visit during the Summer Solstice, you’ll get to join their annual bonfire, where all the wishes are burned and sent off into the night sky.

This is also a great spot for families and pet lovers. It’s both kid- and dog-friendly. And if you didn’t bring your own furry friend, swing by their petting zoo between tastings.

Willcox

Welcome to Arizona’s grape-growing MVP: Willcox. Located in southeastern Arizona, about an hour east of Tucson, Willcox produces a whopping 74% of the state’s wine grapes. Why? It all comes down to sandy soil, high elevation, and the perfect climate. These conditions are ideal for growing big, bold red grapes, over 80 different varieties, to be exact. But that’s not all. This region also turns out vibrant, crisp whites, dry and spicy reds, sweet wines, and luscious dessert wines. In short, Willcox can do it all.

It’s also the largest AVA in Arizona, spanning over 833 square miles.

If you’re in town in May or October, don’t miss the semi-annual Willcox Wine Festival, named one of the top ten wine festivals in the U.S. The rest of the year, you can still enjoy the area’s offerings with 10 tasting rooms open to the public and eight more available by appointment.

Here are my top picks.

1. Pillsbury Wine Company 

Pillsbury Wine Company is in a category of its own. Owned by New Zealander and film director Sam Pillsbury and his wife, this winery is all about crafting unique, award-winning wines made with nothing but dedication and love, grown and produced in one place.

As someone who cares deeply about where his food and drink come from, Sam brings that same philosophy to his winemaking. When you sip a glass of Pillsbury, whether it’s a bold Shiraz or a crisp Chardonnay, you can trust that the grapes were grown right there on the estate, fermented with wild yeasts, nourished in organic soil, hand-weeded, and treated only with organic sprays.

If you’re planning a visit, the tasting room is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pillsbury also hosts dinner events and sells their top-of-the-line grapes, which you can learn more about here.

2. Zarpara 

Escape for a day of wine sipping, vineyard strolling, and scenic views at Zarpara Vineyard. Specializing in European-style wines and tucked in the Dos Cabezas Mountains, Zarpara offers dry, earthy reds, Spanish, French, and Italian varietals, as well as tantalizing blends. If you’re looking for something lighter on a warm day, they also serve up crisp whites and a delicate dessert rosé.

Plan your visit for a Friday through Sunday, when the tasting room is open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tastings last about an hour and can be enjoyed indoors or out, depending on your preference. The experience is $9 per person, or $15 if you’d like to take home a souvenir wine glass.

3. Aridus Winery and Vineyard 

The word aridus comes from the Latin word meaning “dry” or “arid.” And while Aridus does produce delicious dry wines, the experience itself is anything but. This family-owned crush winery is dedicated to exceptional winemaking and refined elegance, from the timeless ambiance and aesthetics to the meticulous bottling and presentation of every bottle.

When planning your visit to Aridus, you’ve got a couple of great options. Their tasting room in Willcox, just half a mile from the winery, is open Friday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. For a deeper dive into the winemaking process, you can make a private appointment to visit the winery itself, where you’ll see the barrel-aging process up close and get a behind-the-scenes look at their operation.

In addition to their Willcox locations, Aridus also has a tasting room in Old Town Scottsdale, open Tuesday through Sunday, making it perfect for enjoying their wines without the drive.