PAGE SPRINGS CELLARS
Cornville’s Page Springs Cellars has been making Vino do la Familia since 2003. And the name of this wine is what it’s all about. According to the winery, this is meant to conjure an image of large family gatherings – complete with children darting back and forth, lively conversations, plenty of food and, of course, a full-bodied wine made entirely with Arizona grapes. Expect a velvety dark red wine when you sip 2018 Vino de la Familia. This blend is a play on the Cote-Rotie style wines of the northern Rhône in France. Vino de la Familia features syrah, petite sirah, teroldago and malvasia bianca. Vino de la Familia costs $26 per bottle.
Visit pagespringscellars.com for more information.
CHATEAU TUMBLEWEED
Summer’s high temps call for crisp, easy-to-drink white wines. These three bottles from Clarkdale’s Chateau Tumbleweed meet that criteria. The most unique feature of the 2019 Miss Sandy Jones is that it combines Chardonnay grapes from two different sources: Carlson Creek – that contributes a softness and fresh aromatics – and the Buhl Memorial Vineyards – that lends a bright acidity. The white blend is finished with grenache blanc and sauvignon blanc. One bottle of 2019 Miss Sandy Jones costs $25.
The 2018 The Descendants blend is a departure from previous years, which saw a blend of two-thirds viognier and one-third verdelho. The verdelho wasn’t available so they devised a new mix of three grapes: viognier, roussanne and grenache blanc. Expect an uncommon, delicious white wine. One bottle costs $24.
One of the winery’s most popular summer wines, picpoul translates to “lip-stinger” in French. Anticipate an acidic, lemony blend that’s balanced out by one-third of residual sugars. Chateau Tumbleweed’s website says that the 2019 Cimarron Vineyard Picpoul Blanc tastes almost like a lemon lime soda – making it ideal for a hot Arizona summer day. One bottle costs $28.
Visit chateautumbleweed.com for more information.
PILLSBURY WINE
This bright red wine pictured in the glass is Pillsbury’s 2017 Grenache. This estate-grown wine is aged 18 months in neutral oak. The wine features a red candy aroma to start, a complex mid-palate and an extended finish that’s crisp and clean. Pillsbury recommends you serve this cool alongside red meats, grilled salmon or by itself in a glass. Pillsbury will deliver wines in the Cottonwood area with a six bottle minimum order. One bottle costs $42.
Visit pillsburywine.com for more information.
CARLSON CREEK
Carlson Creek Vineyard is the third largest vineyard in the entire state. Located in Wilcox, Arizona, the 280-acre vineyard is located at 4,200 feet above sea level and has terroir similar to that of Rhone, France. Carlson Creek also has a tasting room in Cottonwood. Expect a wine portfolio that’s understated, smooth and approachable. One such example is the Carlson Creek Sauvignon Blanc. One bottle costs $23.
Visit carlsoncreek.com for more information.
LARAMITA CELLARS
In July and August, Vino Zona in Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village will feature Laramita Cellars 2018 Rosé. Vino Zona is the passion of Arizona wine buff, Ginger Mackenzie, who hands selects Arizona wine to stock in her shop. Laramita Cellars is located in Wilcox in southern Arizona. This Arizona rosé is 94 percent morvedre, three percent primitivo and three percent malvasia bianca. This truly is a small batch wine. Just one barrel or about 30 cases was created. Look forward to a crisp, fruity and refreshing rose from the Arizona high desert. The 2018 Rosé from Laramita Cellars costs $24.
Visit vinozona.love for more information.
PASSION CELLARS
The 2017 Cabal Conspiracy made by Passion Cellars, located in the southeastern portion of Arizona, is a customer favorite. The red wine even received 89 points from Wine Spectator. Cabal Conspiracy is a blend of petit verdot, cabernet sauvignon and malbec. You might detect notes of spice, cigar box and mahogany when you take in the scent of this wine. You also might taste dark blackberry and cassis flavors, with accents of espresso and dark chocolate on the finish. Passion Cellars also has a tasting room in Jerome. One bottle of 2017 Cabal Conspiracy costs $49.
Visit passioncellars.com to purchase.
