Arizona Center and the Willcox Wine Country have teamed up to bring a new holiday wine festival to the heart of downtown Phoenix. Guests can sample award-winning Willcox and other Arizona wines; find unique holiday gifts at over 40 art, craft and specialty vendors; enjoy live music from local musicians, and dine at the festival bistro or one of the outstanding Arizona Center restaurants. 

The festival will be held in the Arizona Center Grotto on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9 from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Grapes on the Grotto will feature 16 Willcox and other Arizona wineries, bringing with them more than 150 locally grown and produced wines for festival-goers to swirl, sniff, and sip.

Additionally, the Arizona Center will be decked out with festive holiday décor, including a 30-foot Christmas tree, giant ornaments and gift boxes, a 20-foot LED snowman, and thousands of holiday lights. Perfect for those holiday selfies and family photos. 

Proceeds from Grapes on the Grotto will benefit Horses Help, a local nonprofit organization and the premier accredited therapeutic and recreational agency in Arizona. Horses Help serves the special needs population by providing activities to empower them to break through physical, cognitive and emotional barriers using a unique collaboration of horses and people within the Valley.

Don’t miss your chance to sip on unique local wines at the beautifully revamped Arizona Center. The iconic center has undergone a $25 million makeover to open the once introverted space to the ever-evolving fabric of downtown Phoenix. New features include site furnishings, shade structures, landscape, lighting, new materials, fixtures and finishes, wayfinding, branded signage features, and a new valet parking element. 

All tickets to Grapes on the Grotto include tastings and a commemorative wine glass. Early bird pricing for one day is $15 for 6 tasting tickets, or $20 for 10 tasting tickets. Tickets will also be available day-of at the door for $20 for 6 tasting tickets, or $25 for 10 tasting tickets.

View more information about Grapes on the Grotto here: arizonacenter.com/event/grapes-grotto-wine-festival. Purchase your early bird tickets here: https://grapesonthegrotto.eventbrite.com/. 

To participate as a pop-up vendor at the Grapes on the Grotto wine festival, or during another pop-up holiday shopping experience at Arizona Center, reach out to Sara Bjorkman at sbjorkman@parallelcp.com.