Aridus Wine Company has been named a “Hot Brand” by Wine Business Monthly in its February 2019 issue. “We are enormously honored and thrilled,” said founder/proprietor Scott Dahmer, “to be recognized by this honor, which comes on a national scale and in a field of very distinguished other contenders.”
Erin Kirschenmann, Wine Business Monthly editor, explains that “every year, when Wine Business Monthly creates our annual list of hot brands, we look for vintners, growers, wineries and wines that are making a statement in our industry. Quality is always an important consideration, but Hot Brands is more than a list of the “best” or most interesting wines we tasted during the year. Our goal is to always represent the American wine industry. Often, that means discovering a new winery in an established region while also paying homage to the stalwarts who continue to move the industry forward. It means we look at wineries in non-West Coast, “traditional” winemaking states, or those who might be bucking a trend or trying new techniques. We’re never quite sure how the list will turn out, but it’s a chance for us to explore new regions, varietals and new winemakers.” She adds, “all the winemakers selected reflect the diversity that is the wine culture in the United States and all have an innate desire to produce something they, and the consumer, will love.”
The publication singled out one specific wine, the 2015 Syrah, as part of the profile and recognition. Strid explains that the wine is made from grapes currently grown at a couple of different vineyards in the area and is usually one of the first reds to come in each year. Strid said that there is usually a good balance of sugar ripeness and flavor development, and retains some of those quintessential Syrah characteristics, pepper and meatiness, but there’s also a “dusty quality” she says is unique to the region. “I’m loving the Syrah that we’re getting,” Strid said. “I wouldn’t claim to know why it does so well here, but I’m really happy to work with it. It’s one of my favorites in terms of the reds.”
Wine Business Monthly reported that like many wineries across the country, Aridus is moving to become an entirely estate-sourced operation. Aridus has seen staggering growth since 2015, with production doubling each subsequent year since Strid joined the team in 2016.”
The award article details how Aridus was founded and also profiles winemaker Lisa Strid, from her interest in pioneering varietals new to the region to how she enjoys the challenges of the climate such as the monsoons which are typical in the summer.
The article explains the uniqueness of Aridus’ estate vineyard in the Chiricahua Hills appellation and the vineyards they source, which perch at between 4,100 to 5,200 feet in elevation in Arizona, New Mexico and California.
Scott and Joan Dahmer founded Aridus Wine Company in 2012 outside the town of Willcox. The name comes from the Latin word meaning dry or arid, pronounced air-i-duhs. Surrounded by majestic mountains, the winery is an appealing combination of a historic setting and modern design. The building was once an apple warehouse; it was stylishly rehabbed with recycled local lumber and the interiors feature antique light bulbs and other cave-like design touches.
From fish in the creek, frogs on the banks, turtles, lizards and rattlesnakes, to white-tail deer, mountain lions, black bears, fox and javelina, the region around the winery has a wide variety of roaming reptiles, birds, insects and large and small predators and prey—all of course uniquely typical to their southwestern desert setting.
Aridus Wine Company’s winery is located at 1126 North Haskell Avenue in Willcox. The winery’s tasting room is nearby, at 145 North Railview Avenue and is open Thursday – Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.; appointments are not necessary. More info: 520/766-9463.
The winery also has a tasting room in the old town neighborhood of Scottsdale, at 7173 East Main Street. This tasting room is open Monday – Saturday 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm. The tasting room stays open until 9:00 p.m. on Thursdays. More info at 520/954-2676 or https://www.ariduswineco.com/Visit-Aridus/Visit-Aridus.
