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Verde Valley Wines
The Verde Valley’s wine history might not be as new as you think: Henry (Heinrich) Schuerman, a German immigrant, began making wine near today’s Red Rock Crossing and selling it to miners in Jerome. Jon Marcus revived local winemaking when he purchased land along the banks of Oak Creek in 1992 and opened Echo Canyon Vineyard and Winery a few years later. Since then, wineries have been popping up all around the Verde Valley: Caduceus Cellars/Merkin Vineyard; Freitas Vineyard; Javelina Leap Vineyard and Winery; Alcantara Vineyards; Page Springs Cellars; Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery; and Jerome Winery. Other local wineries include Sycamore Canyon Winery south of Sedona, San Dominique Winery south of Camp Verde, Painted Lady Vineyard in Skull Valley and Granite Creek Vineyards in Prescott. Though locals are now well aware of the booming wine industry in the Verde Valley, many tourists are shocked to find out that wine is being made in Arizona’s high desert. “The biggest challenge [in growing grapes in northern Arizona] is the cold, the hard frost,” says Paula Woolsey, the national marketing manager for the Verde Valley Wine Consortium. “Most people think it’s the heat.”
Verde Valley Wines
For information on where to purchase any of the above-mentioned wines (there are just too many stores to name) or for the contact info for the wineries, visit www.arizonavinesandwines.com
Price Range: $13 – $100
The ideal gift for… The wine connoisseur who’s already sampled all the offerings from California and France
Three Dog Bakery
If the tempting aroma wafting through the door at Three Dog Bakery makes both you and your dog hungry, don’t worry, you aren’t losing your sense of taste just yet. All the items created at this doggie hot spot are made with human-grade ingredients, says Carol Servin, who co-owns the bakery with her husband Gene, (and who admits to snacking on the healthy treats). More than 30 varieties of cookies, cakes, ice creams and brownies are made with carob, whole-wheat flour, honey, applesauce, yogurt, buttermilk, peanut butter, cinnamon and mint. Fido doesn’t need to be concerned with additives, either; you won’t find any preservatives or added salt in these treats. During the holidays, you’ll find cookies baked in the shape of candy canes, Christmas trees and snowmen – the baked goods are dyed using beets, spinach, tumeric and tomatoes. Dogs of all sizes can be found perusing the goods on any given day, but Carol says her own pups aren’t interested in running a business. “We’ve been here four years, and when we first opened we thought it would be fun to bring our dogs to work,” says Carol. “Turns out they hated it, so we’re here daily while they stay at home.”
Dog treats baked by Gene Servin at Three Dog Bakery
Available at Three Dog Bakery (320 N. SR 89A at Sinagua Plaza at Sedona Center in Uptown Sedona; 928-282-5550)
Price Range $1 – $4 per cookie ($11 for cakes)
The ideal gift for… The family who considers Spot just another one of the kids
Triple G Leather
By day, Vicki Garner works as a teller operations specialist at Bank of America in West Sedona – she’s been with the company for 36 years – but during her time off she can be found in her tack room, creating leather accessories including handbags, binders, visors, day planners, belts and horse tack. The Arizona native first experimented with leather crafting in high school but didn’t get really serious about marketing her work until her daughter went off to college five years ago. A competitive barrel racer, Vicki has sold her leather accessories at rodeos around the state (as well as in a few boutiques in Sedona). She bucks current fashion trends in favor of a traditional Western sensibility: All of her accessories are made with cowhide, hair-on-hide, silver, turquoise, rhinestones, rope and a canvas-like fabric. Vicki dyes, stamps, carves, stitches and antiques everything by hand – she has the battle scars to prove it – with her four horses only a few feet away. “I take a lot of pride in my work. I want it to last a lifetime,” says Vicki, who has lived in Sedona for 22 years. “When I get a new idea, I can’t wait to see how it turns out.”
Triple G leather accessories by Vicki Garner
Available at www.gggleather.com or by calling 928-300-5678
Price Range: $25 – $350
The ideal gift for… Cowboys and cowgirls everywhere
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