Arizona’s wine history goes back for hundreds of years – all the way to the Jesuit missionaries in the 16th century who planted grape vines to make wine for their ceremonies. Much more recently, Arizona has gained recognition from wine experts for how its high desert climate, similar to that of California, can produce grapes with unique complexity and character. Sedona, Arizona with its dozen wineries and as the home of a yearly wine festival is the perfect place for novices and seasoned enthusiasts alike to explore this region and the delightful wines it makes.
If you are looking for a way to get started on your expedition, then a great way to begin is with tasting rooms in the town of Sedona itself. Tasting rooms like The Art of Wine and Sedona Wineworks are open seven days a week and offer tastings of local Arizona grown wines. Tasting rooms such as these are an excellent way to begin your adventure; they are not overwhelming, located close by, and host a broad enough selection of locally produced wines to whet any traveler’s appetite on the first or second day of a trip.
There are also more winding and expansive options than individual tasting rooms. Sedona is located along the Verde Valley Wine Trail, which connects five wineries and six tasting rooms that offer an incredible variety of skillfully crafted wines that will be sure to please any visitor’s palate. The Verde Valley Wine Trail extends through Sedona, Cottonwood, Jerome, Camp Verde, and Clarkdale. This area has the sunshine and the rocky soil that produces the intensity of flavor and high quality grapes that make for a wonderful wine-tasting experience. Spending a day or two on this trail that connects you to eleven total tasting opportunities is an excellent way to not only explore the local flavors but also see the beauty of the region as well with its gorgeous valleys, complex desert, and stunning rock formations.
But if you’re looking to experience all of these vineyards and tastings in one place, then take a trip to Sedona for the Sedona Wine Festival from September 26 – 27, 2015. For two days, all of the best vineyards in the Verde Valley and Southern Arizona will be offering their specialty wines to attendees for tasting. Alongside these local vineyards, guests will be able to sample the food offerings of local restaurants, and live music all while enjoying the stunning views of the famous Sedona red rock formations. The Wine Festival is not only a wonderful opportunity to taste some delightful wines, but the Education Tent also offers short seminars throughout the day on topics ranging from wine and food pairings to types of wine glasses. Be sure to buy early bird tickets to save money and guarantee your entry on Saturday – the busiest day of the Festival! If you find your curiosity sparked by the experience of the Festival, take the time to go explore some of the beautiful wineries and vineyards themselves!
While you explore all that Sedona has to offer, put your feet up at El Portal Sedona Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel right in the heart of the town. Just steps away from the fine food and eclectic shopping of Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, El Portal is centrally located and staffed with locals with a wealth of knowledge that they are more than happy to share with guests. If you want recommendations for which wineries to hit or transportation options, then the staff will be able to help you. With only twelve rooms, El Portal is personal and welcoming to both humans and their pets as one of the best pet friendly hotels in the nation. Each suite is distinctively decorated, includes a private entrance, patio or balcony, fireplace, whirlpool bath and Wi-Fi; featherweight cashmere blankets, luxury Egyptian cotton sheets, bath towels, premium down pillows and comforters for the ultimate in restful comfort. El Portal offers pet friendly Sedona accommodations with fenced pet patios, and no pet fees, making it an ideal place to put your feet up at the end of a long day of exploring.
