Arizona may not be the first place that comes to one’s mind for wine but it has been in the industry since the Sonoita-Elgin wine region was started in the 1970s. It currently has over 30 wineries in 2 primary areas: the Verde Valley north of Phoenix and the southern Tucson area.

The Tucson area actually has two wine regions:

• Sonoita-Elgin is the oldest and primary region. It contains the vast majority of the wineries in the area (currently 18) and a few relatively small vineyards.

• Willcox is the newer, smaller region that is about an hour away from both the city and from Sonoita-Elgin. Most of the grapes for Arizona wines are grown in this area. However, few of the growers have their own commercial wineries. Most prefer to sell their grapes to wineries in Sonoita-Elgin and in the Verde Valley.

As most of the wineries produce small amounts, one can rarely find the wines outside of Arizona. Local stores, restaurants, and wineries are the best locations to buy/try them.

Sonoita-Elgin Wine Region

In addition to being the first and largest Arizona wine region, it is also generally regarded as the being the best. Sonoita-Elgin was the:

• First place in the state where wine grapes were planted (in the 16^th century by Jesuit missionaries);

• First region to be replanted after the state reauthorized the planting of grapes for wine in the early 1980s (after prohibition declared wine illegal in 1915); and the

• First Arizona wine region to be designated as an AVA.

Most of the wineries produce dry red wines, with a few venturing into whites and a growing number offering semi-sweet, sweet, and fortified wines. A few wineries (including Flying Leap) also have distilleries and one (Hops and Vines) produces wine and beer. One, Lightning Ridge (which was unfortunately closed the day we were in the area) produces only Italian varietals. The Meading Room, meanwhile, produces honey-based Mead wines.

Regardless of varietal, the region’s wineries are at the mercy of the weather:

• 2019 was a very hot year and resulted in small yields (although many of those that were produced were very good).
• 2020 and 2021 had heavy, monsoon-like rains in early summer which resulted in bumper crops. Some wineries claimed production of almost twice that of 2019.

Sonoita Vineyards

It seemed only logical that we begin our exploration of the AVA at Sonoita Vineyards. This was the first winery established in the area post-prohibition (not to speak of the state). A soil scientist founded the vineyard and planted its first grapes in the late 1970s and opened its first tasting room in the early 1980s. Today it grows  Chardonnay, Mission, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Malbec and Tannat.

We found six wines to be competitive with those from some of the country’s top AVAs. These included a dry wine (2015 Estate Fume Blanc), two dry reds (2014 MeCaSah blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah; and a 2014 Petite Syrah), two semi-sweet wines (a non-vintage Angel Wings blush wine made from Symphony and Mission grapes as well as a 2020 Mission) and one sweet wine (Sonora Blanca non-vintage from Sauvignon Blanc).

Twisted Union Wine Company

Twisted Union is a new kid on the block and currently sources all its fruit from Willcox. It is off to a strong start based both on the quality of the wines from its first two vintages (2020 and 2021) and a promising early wholesale business including sales to a couple of major hotel groups. We were particularly impressed with its 2020 Charm School (a Sangiovese-based wine with a little Tannat) the newly bottled 2021 Mourvedre/Petite Syrah Rhone blend, and the 100% Tannat port.

Rune Wines

We favored three of the five wines we tasted at Rune: 2020 Roussanne, 2019 Grenache, and 2019 Wild Syrah.

Dos Cabezas

We enjoyed its 2017 El Norte (a blend of seven grapes, especially Syrah, Garnacha followed by Monastrell, Petite Syrah, and others) and a 2014 El Campo (which contained an undisclosed blend of Sonoita fruit—most of its other wines use Willcox fruit). But our favorite was a 2019 La Montana (Petite Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Petite Syrah.

Flying Leap Vineyards

We enjoyed its 2020 Sentinal Peak Red Blend (Malbec and Tempranillo), 2019 Grenache with smaller amounts of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, and its 2018 Head Over Heels (Mourvedre and Malbec).

The Village of Elgin Winery

What’s not to like with a name like 2021 Naughty Monkey. This is a light, refreshing Moscato-based white.

Go Explore

Explore the area, take in some of the scenery and find your favorite wine.