Located in beautiful Northern Arizona, the Verde Valley Wine Trail invites wine enthusiasts to experience a destination rich in history, beauty, and the production of exquisite Arizona wines. There are four Arizona wineries and six tasting rooms on the Verde Valley Wine Trail that offer a variety of skillfully crafted wines to satisfy any wine taster's pallet. Every winery has its own unique personality and distinct wines for wine lovers to discover at each stop along the Wine Trail. Visit the great wineries and tasting rooms nestled in the red rock countryside and lush canyons surrounding Cottonwood, Jerome, Sedona, Clarkdale, and Cornville. The towns of Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Cornville, Page Springs, Jerome, and Sedona all have stops along the Wine Trail.

Arizona’s high desert grassland, hot daytime temperatures and cooler nights make for “happy” grapes. The climate and soils in the wine growing regions of Arizona are similar to regions around the world like southeastern Australia, Spain, and southern France. The Arizona Wine Growers Association (AWGA) also views the Arizona wine growing region as similar to the area located in Paso Robles, California.

The volcanic past of the Verde Valley and the drainage of the Verde River has created a mineralized, slightly alkaline soil just challenging enough to produce distinctive flavors in grapes. The 35-mile long, 714 square mile region produces over 100 varietals, including Cab Franc, Syrah, Zinfandel, Malvasia and a relatively unknown grape, Cab Pfeffer. Most vineyards are found in the Page Springs area about 100 miles north of Phoenix, but grapes also grow in Cottonwood, Jerome and Camp Verde. Towns in the Verde Valley have added tasting rooms to a growing list of attractions that includes popular state parks, antique shops, and more. The emerging wine scene, even though wine has been made in parts of Arizona since the 17th century, vintners have, over the last decade, rediscovered the fertile, river-fed Verde Valley around Sedona, resulting in the arrival of several vineyards and wineries within a short drive from town.

EXPLORE THE REGION

Cottonwood

Indulge in award winning wines of the region at the vineyards and tasting rooms in Cottonwood's beautiful countryside. Shop for treasures at a one of a kind boutiques to find that perfect gift for you or someone in your life. Cottonwood's historic Main Street, Old Town Cottonwood is nestled in about a five-block stretch where you will find some of the areas finest restaurants, multiple wine tasting rooms and an array of interesting shops, galleries and antique stores.

Enjoy an evening of entertainment, games and a mouth-watering chuck wagon style dinner of barbeque favorites at Blazin' M Ranch. After dinner you will be treated to musical entertainment from the Blazin M Cowboys. For one hour these talented musicians share their musical skills mixed with cowboy poetry and an abundance of storytelling and comedy. Once the show is over, you don't have to leave just yet! Meet one of the Blazin’ M Cowboys for a photo and a signed CD or sneak a peek at the resident Ghost Rider.

Page Springs

Nestled in a high desert valley between Sedona’s legendary Red Rock beauty and the bustling town of Cottonwood where you to get a taste of the different wines and wine making styles of the wines made along the Verde Valley Wine Trail. Home to many of Arizona's best vineyards and tasting rooms you will discover Pillsbury Wine Company, owned and operated by Sam Pillsbury, a former Hollywood director and producer and Arizona Stronghold operated exclusively by Eric Glomski and Family just to name a couple.

Spend an afternoon in the Arizona desert sipping wine, listening to stories about Arizona wine, Pillsbury’s quest to make wine, or the history of Maynard Keenan and Eric Glomski’s collaboration to make Arizona Stronghold while enjoying the magnificient views of the Valley.

Jerome

Once a thriving mining town that dates back to the late 1800's is now a thriving artists' community. Full of history and ghost stories this charming town is a great getaway for food lovers, history buffs and anyone who loves to hear a good ghost story. Perched on the side of Cleopatra Hill in the Mingus Mountains, this mile high town is the perfect place to enjoy sweeping views of the entire Verde Valley.

Find some of the best food in Verde Valley housed in Jerome's historic renovated buildings and wonder through dozens of quaint shops and specialty stores that line the crooked streets of this small town. Jerome may be small however, it is a happening town with great restaurants, interesting and unique galleries, unusual architecture, historic buildings, a “sliding” jail, a haunted hotel, an interesting mining museum, two cool bars in which to meet the real locals and several wine tasting rooms.