he roots of Arizona`s wine industry run far deeper than most realize

DISCOVER AZ WINES
BY PEGGY FIANDACA
Owner, Lawrence
Dunham Vineyards ~
President, AZ Wine
Growers Association
he roots of Arizona’s wine industry run far deeper than most
realize. In our vineyard in Southeastern Arizona’s foothills of
the Chiricahua Mountains, metate (ancient stone grinders) have
been discovered that remind us of the ancient inhabitants. There
are over 60 Arizona wineries in three primary regions – Verde
Valley, Cochise County and Elgin/Sonoita. My focus in this issue
is on Elgin/Sonoita, Arizona’s oldest wine region and the only
designated American Viticulture Area (AVA).
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4.13
Kief-Joshua Vineyards (KJV) located its
family vineyard in Sonoita 10 years ago about an
hour southeast of Tucson in Santa Cruz County.
According to Keif Manning, winemaker, “The region
is one of the oldest wine growing regions in the
country with the first wine grapes planted up
to 120 years prior to California.” The area is at
5,000 feet elevation (80 degree average summer
temperatures) consisting of rolling grasslands
surrounded by five mountain ranges. “We produce
primarily 100% varietal wines using traditional
techniques that showcase Arizona terrior.”
The oldest commercial vineyard/winery in
Arizona, Sonoita Vineyards, opened in 1983 and
now includes over 25 acres of vines. The vineyard
consistently creates award-winning wines,
including a Cabernet Sauvignon chosen by national
wine critics to serve at a Presidential Inauguration
Gala. The varieties grown on the estate today
include Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Syrah, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and Mission.
April 6
April 20-21
Lightning Ridge Pre-Release Tasting
Lightning Ridge Cellars, Elgin
1-5pm • Cost: $45
www.lightningridgecellars.com
Southeast Arizona Wine Growers Festival
Kief-Joshua Vineyards, Elgin
11am-5pm • Cost: $16
The
Second
Annual
Southeast
Arizona Wine Growers Festival, featuring
17 Arizona Wineries in one location.
www.kj-vineyards.com
Lawrence Dunham
Vineyards
Fifth Anniversary Party
April 20
Chili Cookoff to Benefit Community Foodbank
(Southeast Arizona Wine Festival)
Kief-Joshua Vineyards, Elgin
9am-2pm • Cost: $4/Tasting or $15/Participate
Cooking begins at 9am and judging will take
place at 1pm. To apply, contact Sunny Fichtl at
520.459.2081 or at [email protected].
April 27
May 11
Hops and Vines 2nd Annual
Bachannal Festival
Hops & Vines, Elgin
11am-5pm
www.azhopsandvines.com
35th Annual Blessing of the Sonoita Vineyards Festival
Sonoita Vineyards, Elgin
10am-4pm • Cost: $15
The Blessing and procession to the vineyard takes place
at 12pm. Call 520.455.5893. www.sonoitavineyards.com
DISCOVER AZ WINES
ELGIN/SONOITA APRIL WINE EVENTS
Join Curt Dunham and Peggy Fiandaca for an anniversary
celebration on April 13 commemorating five years of life for
their Lawrence Dunham Vineyards in Willcox.
The event runs from 11am-4pm. Come and visit their
beautiful winery, watch the vines begin to bud, sip on special
wines and say “cheers!” They will have special offers, wine tours,
birthday cake and other celebratory activities with Peggy and
Curt. Regular wine tasting fee is $8 for the day. For information,
visit www.lawrencedunhamvineyards.com.
Award-winning Kent Callaghan, owner/winemaker of Callaghan
Vineyards, is also in the area. From its first vintage in 1991, Callaghan
Vineyards’ wines have received accolades from the most respected
wine writers and publications in the world.
“The vineyard is rooted in the Mediterranean; Spanish varieties, in
particular, seem best suited to our site – Tempranillo, Mouvedre, and
Grenache,” says Callaghan.
Most of the area’s 15 wineries/vineyards are open weekends for
tasting/tours and many daily. The Southeast Arizona Wine Growers
Festival, featuring 17 Arizona wineries in one location, is April 20-21
from 11am-5pm at Kief-Joshua Vineyards. The weekend includes
wine, food, a professional chili cook-off and live music by Jeordie,
daughter of 60’s pop star Melanie who sang, “I got a brand new pair
of roller skates!”
Serving the Community Since 2002
VROOM All British Car Club Show at Kief-Joshua Vineyards
Kief-Joshua Vineyards, Elgin
10am-2pm • Cost: $8-$10
The Tucson British Car Register, along with Tucson Jaguar
Club and the Tucson Mini Cooper Club, will be at Kief-Joshua
Vineyards. Wine tasters will cast a vote and help determine
the winners. www.kj-vineyards.com
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For more information or to plan a wine tasting trip:
• www.kiefjoshuavineyards.com
• www.sonoitavineyards.com
• www.callaghanvineyards.com
• www.arizonawine.org/sonoitawinetrail.html
Just within Arizona’s borders, you can find top-rated wine country, 5-star dining, scenic outdoor adventures,
incredible arts and culture and so much more. By choosing Arizona, your money stays in the local economy to support Arizona jobs,
services and vibrant communities. So get out and start exploring Arizona – you will be pleasantly surprised by what you find.
4.13
DISCOVER AZ WINES
SONOITA WINES
In Elgin unless otherwise noted
5. Callaghan Vineyards
336 Elgin Road
520.455.5322
www.callaghanvineyards.com
Friday-Sunday 11am-3pm
6. Canelo Hills Winery
342 Elgin Road
520.455.5499
www.canelohillswinery.com
Friday-Sunday 11am-4pm
1. Charron Vineyards
18585 South Sonoita Highway (Vail)
520.762.8585
www.charronvineyards.com
Friday-Sunday 10am-6pm
and By Appointment
3. Wilhelm Family Vineyards
21 Mountain Ranch Drive
520.455.9291
www.wilhelmfamilyvineyards.com
Friday-Sunday 11am-5pm
Open Daily by Appointment
2. Dos Cabezas WineWorks
3248 Highway 82 (Sonoita)
520.455.5141
www.doscabezaswinery.com
Thursday-Sunday 10:30am-4:30pm
4. Rancho Rossa Vineyards
32 Cattle Ranch Lane
520.455.0700
www.ranchorossa.com
Friday-Sunday 10:30am-3:30pm
7. Kief-Joshua Vineyard
370 Elgin Road
520.455.5582
www.kj-vineyards.com
Daily 11am-5pm
8. Village of Elgin Winery
471 Elgin Road
520.455.9309
www.elginwines.com
Daily 10am-4pm
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9. Sonoita Vineyards
290 Elgin Canelo Road
520.455.5893
www.sonoitavineyards.com
Daily 10am-4pm
10. Lightning Ridge Cellars
2368 Highway 83
520.455.5383
www.lightningridgecellars.com
Friday-Sunday 11am-4pm
4.13
12. Silver Strike Winery
334 East Allen Street
(Tombstone)
520.678.8200
www.silverstrikewinery.com
Daily 10am-6pm
13. Hannah’s Hill Vineyard
HC1 Box 651
www.hannahshill.com
Open By Appointment Only
11. AZ Hops & Vines
3450 Highway 82 (Sonoita)
520.955.4249
www.azhopsandvines.com
Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10am-6pm and By Appointment