On May 25th each year, wine lovers everywhere pour a glass of their favorite wine to celebrate National Wine Day. And Arizona offers plenty of opportunities to gather with friends — socially distancing, of course — and enjoy a glass of your favorite red or white wine.
READ ALSO: Ranking Arizona: Top 10 wineries for 2021
Here are 10 places in Metro Phoenix to to celebrate National Wine Day.
Ember at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort
Location: 10438 Wekopa Way,Fort McDowell, Ariz.
With four wine vaults, the extensive wine program at Ember steakhouse focuses on 17 countries’ top wine-producing regions and most highly acclaimed vineyards. Ember has 517 wines by the bottle and 26 wines by the glass, ranging from a strong California presence to Barbaresco, Rioja, New Zealand, Argentina and Germany. In addition, the restaurant is proud to offer “The Century Club” of 32 100-point wines spanning more than two decades. Those interested in dessert wines can choose from 30 selections from around the world as well as 15 Ports and Madeiras.
The main wine cellar, located in the heart of the restaurant, houses 275 selections of their rarest red wines. A controlled temperature of a strict 56 degrees and 70 percent humidity ensures this valuable collection is properly stored to maximize guest enjoyment.
CRUjiente Tacos
Location: 3961 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix
CRUjiente Tacos is a hidden gem for wine lovers. You wouldn’t immediately assume a modern taqueria would have a good wine selection, but think again! CRU Tacos has an extensive wine program with wine sourced from Spain thanks to its founding partner, Jason Morris, who doubles as a wine aficionado passionate about sourcing great Spanish wine for the taqueria. Try authentic options like Olivares Rosado rosé ($9 by the glass) or Botijo Garnacha ($10 by the glass) to see why CRU’s wine selection shouldn’t be overlooked!
Dave & Buster’s at Tempe Marketplace
Location: 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Suite 1100, Tempe
Wine, dine and play this National Wine Day at Dave & Buster’s Tempe Marketplace! Enjoy their Chloe Pinot Grigio and J. Roget Brut Mimosas for $3.25 or their Frosé, a frozen blend of Absolut Citron Vodka, strawberry puree and sweet ‘n’ sour topped with a mini bottle of Barefoot Rosé wine, for $5.
Kasai Japanese Steakhouse
Location: 14344 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
Kasai Japanese Steakhouse is a sleek Japanese eatery specializing in teppanyaki, sushi and craft cocktails. The Scottsdale restaurant creates an unparalleled dining experience and is the perfect place to celebrate National Wine Day. With 14 teppanyaki tables throughout, the high-energy restaurant is the first in Arizona to offer a hoodless teppan table dining experience. All day on National Wine Day, the locally owned restaurant will offer half off bottles of wine (except champagne) and $2 off a glass of wine.
LDV Winery Tasting Room
Location: 7134 E. Stetson Dr., #B110, Scottsdale
On Tuesday, May 25 wine lovers are invited to cheers to National Wine Day at LDV Winery! All day long guests can enjoy $2.00 wine tasting flights at the LDV Winery Tasting Room in Scottsdale. To make table service reservations (recommended for parties of four or more), guests can call the Tasting Room at 480-664-4822. For more information, visit www.ldvwinery.com.
National Wine Day at Pita Jungle
Celebrate National Wine Day May 25 while supporting local with everyone’s favorite restaurant group Pita Jungle! This year the group expanded their bar menu and retail offerings with their own private label wines, Jungle Vino. Varieties of wine include Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay and can be purchased throughout Arizona at all Pita Jungle locations! Guests can enjoy Jungle Vino on special for dine-in or takeout for $13 a bottle or hang out and sip for only $5 a glass during happy hour. All other bottles will be ½ off all day! Only at participating locations.
Jungle Vino is not only a great way to support local, but is also produced and bottled by Matchbook Wines, a family-owned winery tucked away in Northern California’s gently rolling Dunnigan Hills.
• 2019 Jungle Vino – Cabernet Sauvignon – Dunnigan Hills, California
This estate bottled Cabernet Sauvignon opens up with leather, smoke and mesquite to give way to a wonderful tug of war between dark fruit, black cherry and blackberry, intertwined with subtle spices, clove and star anise. The whole flavor profile is framed by chewy tannins, big enough for our Kafta kebabs, yet accommodating for our salmon and other spicy dishes.
• 2019 Jungle Vino – Chardonnay – Dunnigan Hills, California
True to the Dunnigan Hills terroir, this Chardonnay offers a meticulous balance of fruit and subtle oak. Weighty and with a long finish, a parade of apricot, butterscotch and honey unfolds a complex fermentation character that is pleasantly perplexing.
The Italian Daughter
Location: 23655 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 120, Scottsdale
If there’s three things that Italians know how to do best, it’s pizza, pasta and wine, and The Italian Daughter does them all! Enjoy premium wine sourced from all over the world with fresh pasta made in-house or crispy Sicilian pizza. We recommend the Calanica Frappato ($9 by the glass), sourced from the owner’s home island, Sicily, Italy. It pairs best with the restaurant’s Margherita stone fired pizza ($14) and the charcuterie board ($23) that is complete with artisan meats, aged cheeses, traditional Italian spreads and crispy fresh toast. As an added bonus, National Wine Day falls on a Tuesday– sip your wine at the restaurant’s bar while listening to live piano music playing from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Italian Daughter!
The Sicilian Butcher
Locations: 15530 N. Tatum Blvd. Suite 160, Phoenix; 3151 W. Frye Road, Chandler; (480) 573-8550; 9780 W. Northern Ave #1100, Peoria
Established by the same Sicilian restaurant group that founded The Italian Daughter, The Maggiore Group, The Sicilian Butcher also offers a wide variety of authentic Italian wines. Try blends from the Maggiore family vineyard like the Monte Olimpo Chardonnay Blend ($40/bottle) or owner Joey Maggiore’s private selection Cabernet Sauvignon ($50/bottle). In addition to great wine, The Sicilian Butcher also offers a great atmosphere. Sip your wine under adorned string lights on the restaurant’s spacious, outdoor garden patio or at the indoor-outdoor wine bar!
The Wine Store
Location: 3205 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix
Owned, sourced and operated by renowned wine educator Mark Tarbell, The Wine Store houses a premium collection of fine wines. Whether you’re an aficionado looking for a rare custom order or a casual wine drinker looking for a bargain on good wine, The Wine Store caters to all. Wine like the Cuvée Rosé ($19.99) or the Niepoort Dry White Port Blend ($14.99) are great options for those looking to spend less. Feeling the splurge? We recommend Callaghan Claire’s Red Blend ’16 ($46.99) made right here in Arizona. For those looking to extend their wine experience, The Wine Store offers exclusive wine club memberships — TWS Club Annual Membership, The Luxury Club and Mark’s Wine Club– for discounts, free wine, private tastings and more! Take home your wine or enjoy it at T’s Wine Bar, located adjacent to The Wine Store, and enjoy international small plates that complement your wine.
Zinqué
Location: 4712 N. Goldwater Boulevard, Suite 110; Scottsdale
As a French-inspired cafe and wine bar, Zinqué offers a well-sourced quality selection of wine to sip in a chic and idyllic atmosphere. Enjoy a variety of popular options by the glass like Campagnola Veneto Pinot Grigio ($13), Le Pigeoulet Vaucluse Grenache Blend ($14) or St André Figuière Rosé ($15). Savor and sip on Zinqué’s outdoor patio that doubles as a greenery oasis– the perfect atmosphere to take you to cloud wine! To enhance your wine experience, pair your wine with Zinqué’s Cheese Plate ($19) complete with brie (Rodolphe le Meunier), 8-month aged Comté, and Époisses.
