Wine Trail Fact Sheet
Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce
Lana Tolleson
1111 Thatcher Blvd.
Safford, Arizona 85546
E-Mail: info@cottonwoodchamberaz.org
Web- Site: www.vvwinetrail.com
Phone: 928-634-7593
LOCATION
The Verde Valley is located in North-central, Arizona, about 100 miles north of Phoenix. It is 35-miles long and is comprised of the towns of Cottonwood, Jerome, Sedona, Clarkdale, Cornville, and Lake Montezuma. Verde Valley was cut by water over 15-20 million years. It is rich with culture, art, and recreational activities. The area is unsurpassed in its variety of physical beauty with the red rocks and Mogollon Rim to the north and east and the Black Hills and Mingus Mountain dominating the western and southern portions of the valley.
WHY THE VERDE VALLEY?
Verde Valley as a wine region comes to the surprise of many people, but the Verde Valley is very comparable to many of the great wine growing regions throughout the world! For millions of years the Verde Valley has gone through transformations that have given its soil the right conditions to grow great grapes. The Verde Valley was originally a slate of sedimentary rock layered with volcanic intrusions. The intrusions blocked the Verde River at times creating lakes that added calcareous marine sediment to the landscape. The alkaline sediments combined with nutrients and minerals that were washed down from higher grounds by the river have created ideal soil for grapes.
Grapes like a stressful life, they do the best in a rocky, inhospitable landscape. The more they have to fight the more concentrated their juice is. You may not get the quantity that you would if you planted on a fertile plot of land but the quality is much better, and that is what winegrowers strive for to make great wine.
The elevation and climate also contribute to the success of growing grapes. The Verde Valley is at the same elevation as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Iran, places where grapes were first domesticated and the first wine was made. The elevation is between 3,800 ft. and 5,000 ft. combined with the right latitude provides the optimal climate for growing grapes. It is hot during the day and a cold at night which stresses the grapes, the heat is required for sugar production and the cool nights is important for acid retention. Without the dramatic change in temperature the grapes will not develop complexity and character!
WINE AS A SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRY
The wine industry in the Verde Valley hits on all three points of sustainability: Economically Viable, Socially Responsible, and Environmentally Sound. Wine regions across the world have proved that they can attribute to the sustainability of their communities. Economically vineyards provide jobs, income from the selling of their wine, create job opportunities, preserve the regions agricultural roots and heritage, and bring additional tourism into the region.
The wine industry is also an environmentally friendly industry. All of the Wineries use organic techniques in their wine making practices, including not using any petro-chemicals in their production process. Grapes use 1/10th of the water per acre that cotton or other row crops do. Grape vines also use land that might otherwise be unusable and are esthetically pleasing.
WINE CYCLE
Harvest usually takes place between the 3rd week of August and the end of October. Winemaking coincides with harvest and ageing is varied depending on the wine. The lightest blush wine may be in stainless steel for 6 months before release and the biggest red for up to 24 months in oak casks. On average, wines see 10-12 months in barrel and a minimum of two months in bottle before release.
ELEVATION
The Verde Valley is between 3,800 ft. and 5,000 feet above sea level.
POPULATION
The Verde Valley’s population is 37,210 people.
CLIMATE
|
Highs |
Lows |
Rain |
Spring |
79 |
39 |
.77 |
Summer |
97 |
58 |
1.28 |
Fall |
75 |
37 |
1.1 |
Winter |
63 |
28 |
1.13 |
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
The Verde Valley has a number of state parks and open spaces that are used for recreational activities. Hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, picnicking, canoeing, birding, ATV, and horseback riding are all possible in the Verde Valley. With over 8 different wilderness areas to choose from the Verde Valley is a very easy place to go and enjoy the outdoors and beautiful scenery.
ART & CULTURE
Art and Culture are abundant though the small communities of the Verde Valley. With many galleries and artists in the region it is a hub for all types of art. The cultural influence of Native Americans can be seen throughout the Verde Valley. The region is also home to many art walks, art festivals, craft shows, and the Sedona Film Festival. Respected historians have said that no other area anywhere has a more convincing precedent for the creation and prospering of an art industry than Sedona and the Verde Valley
MOTELS/LODGING
The Verde Valley has all types of accommodations, with motels, hotels, and Bed & Breakfast, a very affordable way to visit “Red Rock Country.”
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
The Verde Valley has a variety of local attractions. The Verde Canyon Railroad runs year round and has a grape train escape during the summer months that serves local wines. The Blazin’ M Ranch gives visitors an authentic experience with a chuck wagon style dinner and show. Blackjack and poker are just a few of the attractions offered at Cliff Castle Casino, or maybe a nice round of golf is more your style at Pine Shadows Golf Course, or Verde Santa Fe Golf Club. Out of Africa gives visitors the experience of a African Saffari but here in Arizona!
The Verde Valley is also full of Ancient Ruins that people can visit and see ancient dwellings, pueblos, and petroglyphs. The Tuzigoot National Monument and Monetezuma Castle National Monument are two of the most famous ancient ruin sites in the Verde Valley.
A variety of museums are also scattered throughout the region. Visit a ghost town in Jerome, or the first jail in cottonwood. All will let you relive the history and culture of the region.
WINERIES- Vineyards with a tasting room
Page Springs
Founded: in 2004
Acres: Estate Vineyards is 4 acres, partner on 110 acres in Willcox
Grapes planted on Estate Vineyard: Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, Grenache and Cabernet Pfeffer
Cases Produced Annually: 5,000 cases
Owner Bio: Eric Glomski is the Director of Winemaking and the owner of the company – backed by his father, mother, brother and step-father. Eric was born in Chicago, raised in Boston and moved to Arizona in his late teens to attend Prescott College in Arizona. Prior to getting into winemaking, Eric worked as an ecologist and environmental consultant specializing in river restoration. He worked in the California wine industry for several years, most notably as co-winemaker at David Bruce Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. He founded Page Springs Cellars in 2004 and currently directs winegrowing and sales and marketing.
www.pagesrpingscellars.com
Oak Creek
Founded: 2002
Grapes planted: Chardonnay, Fume Blanc, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel
Cases Produced Annually: 1,000
Owner Bio: Deb has spent the last 30 years emerged in the wine industry. She spent the beginning of her career as a wine broker. Having a passion for wine the next logical step for Deb was to buy a vineyard of her own. She purchased the vineyard that is now Oak Creek Vineyards in 2002. Deb enjoys the hands on aspect of the wine industry everything from farming, to bottling, to paring wines with food, she does it all! Out of this enthusiasm she created Deb Wahl a Chef and Sommelier Catering located in Santa Barbra, California.
www.oakcreekvineyards.net
Javelina Leap
Founded: 2005
Acres: 4 acres
Principal Wines: merlot, cabernet, syrah, zinfandel
Owner Bio: Rob was in Marketing, in the record industry in LA, then he sold newspaper ads, and helped to publish Lake Powell Magazine. He has also done a variety of jobs in the hospitality industry including bartending, chef, and a B&B Proprietor. Rob spent is spare time traveling through wine country. In 2000, he started working for a local Arizona winery, and offered his time there for free. He learned the business from planting, harvesting, blending, and botteling. In 2004 he decided it was time to venture out on his own and he bought the 4 acres on Page Springs Rd. and has never looked back since. Rob is also the Vice President of the Arizona Wine Growers Association.
www.javelinaleapwinery.com
Alcantara
Founded: 2004
Acres: 87, with 10 acres currently planted
Grapes planted: 12 different varietals
Owner Bio: Alcantara is a dream venture created by Barbara Predmore, the owner and proprietor. Barbara, and her husband, Bob, started the vineyard to provide their family and partners the opportunity to live the dream of working and developing a vineyard community and winery, making wines that are comparable to the best of California and Europe. The Alcantara Vineyard dates even before 2004, when Barbara Predmore and her husband Bob defined the Verde Valley property as the optimal location for Barbara’s dream of a world-class wine production location. Barbara had spent four years with research and diligence using the best consultants from University of Arizona and UC Davis with support from her family connection at the noted Martin-Weyrich Vineyards in Central California.
www.alcantaravineyard.com
Tasting Rooms
Jerome
Caduceus Cellars
The Caduceus Cellars Tasting Room opened in Jerome on July 4th, 2009. The vision of this tasting room and the Caduceus wine label has been born out of the passion and vision of lead singer Maynard Keenan, of TOOL! The first Caduceus wine under this label became available to purchase in 2004.
Jerome Winery
The Jerome Winery offers over 30 uniquely handcrafted and individually distinct wines.
The Jerome Winery has one of the largest and most diverse Vineyards in Arizona, growing over 50 varieties of grapes!
www.jeromewinery.com
Bitter Creek Winery
Bitter Creek Winery features a variety of rich red, as well as some dry succulent white blends from their Vineyard in Willcox Wine Country down in South Eastern Arizona.
Owners of both Bitter Creek and Jerome Winery, John McLoughlin works all the vines himself and offers more than 30 distinct wines.
www.Bittercreekwinery.com
Cottonwood
Arizona Stronghold Tasting Room
Founded in 2007 by winemakers Eric Glomski (Owner of Page Springs Cellars) and Maynard James Keenan (Owner of Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards & Orchards) Arizona Stronghold offers sustainably produced, award winning wine. Glomski and Keenan believe that great wine doesn’t have to be expensive; it doesn’t have to be pretentious; and it shouldn’t be hard to find. It just has to be great and it has to be made by people that care.
www.AZStronghold.com
Pillsbury Wine Company Tasting Room
Southern Arizona's Pillsbury Wine Company is the evolution of a Dream-Come-True project by New Zealand Film Director and Winemaker Sam Pillsbury. He is committed to making quality wine from grapes only grown in Arizona. Pillsbury Wine Company tasting room features wines from Freitas Vineyards and Pillsbury Vineyards. The first wine vines were planted March 4, 2000.
www.pillsburywine.com
Wine Cellar Tasting Room
Wine Cellar is the newest tasting room to Old Town Cottonwood, owned by Sandra and Billy Baker. They feature Dionysian Cellars Wines whose grapes are all from California, but the wine is made here in Arizona. They offer 7 wines, 2 whites and 5 reds. They offer one wine, a Barbara, whose grapes are from the Verde Valley and is made here in Arizona.
928-649-0444
Vineyard Wine Bar
The Vineyard Wine Bar features an elegant old-school triple arch bar and a copper ceiling with a turn-of-the-century look that takes you back in time. You can join the Community Table that seats 14, relax in one of the enclosed booths, or snuggle up with a glass of wine on a plush sofa by the antique wood stove.
www.thevineyardbistro.com
4701 S. Lakeshore 1-A
Tempe, AZ 85282