Fourteen years ago, Eric Glomski, owner and director of winegrowing at Page Springs Cellars and co-founder of Arizona Stronghold Vineyards, decided to marry two of his biggest passions, wine and music, with an annual harvest festival. The event outgrew its Page Springs Cellars’ location and moved to Riverfront Park in Cottonwood in 2014. Eric rebranded it the Tilted Earth Festival as a nod to the summer solstice. But after a few years in Cottonwood, he found himself missing the good old days. “Part of me wanted to turn it into the Verde Valley’s Telluride [Bluegrass Festival],” says Eric, “while another part of me really missed the intimacy of the original event. When you’re down there on the creek in the evening, there’s this warm, one-big-family vibe.”
Titled Earth returned to its original venue last year, and that’s where it will be held again this month. On June 22, the festival kicks off with the Schuerman Dinner featuring five chefs paired with five wineries. Participating chefs include Page Springs Cellars’ Bryan Nowicki, Jim O’Meally from Up the Creek, Christopher Wolf from Arizona Culinary Institute and former-Sedona-chef-turned-Fredonia-restauranteur Kurt Jacobsen. (The fifth chef hasn’t been announced.) Participating wineries include Page Springs Cellars, Arizona Stronghold Vineyards, Burning Tree Cellars, Painted Lady Vineyard and Pillsbury Wine Company. The chefs will be preparing recipes from an 1887 cookbook belonging to Henry Schuerman, the first Verde Valley pioneer to grow grapes and make wine. Tickets for the dinner are $105 if purchased by June 21 and $115 after.
The main event happens June 23, 5:30 p.m. until midnight. The music lineup includes Sedona’s own PK Gregory, Tom Waits-esque Pierce Edens, the R&B and soul sounds of Greyhounds, and the soul and funk of eight-piece band The Suffers. The same five wineries from the previous night will be pouring vino, and Bryan Nowicki will be serving food. (Wine and food are not included in the ticket price.) Festivalgoers will also enjoy a wine mixology tent, massages, games and a silent auction that benefits local charities. Tickets to the festival are $65 through June 21 and $75 after. Tickets for children 12 and younger attend free.– Erika Ayn Finch. Photo by Angela Aldatz.
SEDONA CALENDAR: Events, activities, shows, happenings
