Wine-ding through Arizona: Verde Valley Wine Trail

Did you know that Arizona has a Wine Trail? Did you know that Arizona actually has a lot of wine country? Most people think of Napa or Sonoma when it comes to wineries but truth is, you can probably find some great places local to the state that you’re in. There are numerous wineries in Arizona all over the state but if you’re looking to taste a lot of wine, I would recommend Northern Arizona.

When I found out about the Verde Valley Wine Trail, I decided to Wine-d my way through this trail. With 25 wineries on the list and in different towns there is a lot of ground to cover.

The list of Towns included in the wine trail are:

• Camp Verde
• Clarkdale
• Jerome
• Old Town Cottonwood
• Page Springs
• Sedona

Click HERE to download the Verde Valley Wine Trail Passport!

All wineries listed are OPEN and following social distancing and sanitation practices! Masks required to be seated!

The wineries listed in the trail are not all wineries in each place but lists the majority. To complete the trail it would take several days! I was unable to visit all of the wineries a part of the trail, but I did visit quite a few in the days I was in the area. Here are the ones I visited and my reviews:

Disclaimer: I like sweet wine and I am not a fan dry wines. My opinion is based on what I like, but I state what types of wine each place has!

Old Town Cottonwood

Old Town Cottonwood is a hidden GEM! Just 30 minutes away from Sedona you can find a street lined with shops wineries and great places to eat! Although you don’t get the great red rock views, this place is great for (early) night life! Cottonwood has a lot to offer with cheaper options than Sedona.

Arizona Stronghold

Location: 1023 N. Main St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 Hours: 12pm-7pm

One of my favorites and number 1 on Yelp! You can choose between a Red, White, or Combo flight. We chose the combo flight and it was really good! The service was great, good pours and they were playing 90s music (my fave!). We ended up joining in some trivia with some other people in the room and had a good time. They have indoor and outdoor seating and have skewers and cheese plates for food options. Tasting includes 5 wine tastings and includes a wine glass to keep!

Burning Tree Cellars

Location: 1040 N Main St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 Hours: 12pm-7pm (10pm on Friday and Saturday)

The service was great and they have a great patio with live music on Saturday nights! I did not like the wine just because they only have dry wines. That is their specialty, so if you are a dry wine person this is your place! The patio had a great atmosphere and I always love live music. The flights are $10 or the reserve flight is $15, these include 5 tastings and your wine glass to keep!

Tantrum

Location: 918 N Main St Ste 3, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 Hours: 12pm-7pm (9pm Friday and Saturday)

This place seemed relatively new and is great for Instagram pics! Tatrum is all Female ran and has such a cute feminine ambiance! The service was great, but the wine was not my favorite, most were dry. I would recommend for the ambiance! The wine tastings were 4 for $10 or 6 for $12 and you choose from the list. They also had live music starting at 7pm on the Saturday we were there.

Winery 101

Location: 1019 N Main St suite b, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 Hours: 12pm-7pm (9pm Friday and Saturday)

One of my favorites because they have a sweet flight! Choose between Red, White, or Sweet. All flights are $10 and include 5 tastings. The ambiance isn’t the best, but the service and the wine was great! They do have cheese plates if you are hungry! It has 5 stars on Yelp, definitely stop in and give this place a try!

Merkin Vineyards

Location: 1001 N Main St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 Hours: 11am-9pm

We put our name on the list and were able to get in right before closing. We came here for dinner but did have a glass of wine with dinner. The atmosphere is really nice and modern restaurant feel. The wine was good for dinner (but no sweet wines). I got one that paired well with pasta. The pasta is homemade and is absolutely delicious and their bread is homemade as well! So I highly recommend this place for pasta!

The ones we didn’t get to

Carlson Creek
Location: 1010 N Main St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 Hours: 11am-7pm, 12pm-9pm (Fri-Sat)
$12 for your tasting of 5 wines

Pillsbury Wine Company
Location: 1012 N Main St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 Hours: 12pm-6pm (Th-Sun)
Red, White, or Combo flights for $11

Sedona

Great views of red rock and add some wine for a relaxing time! Here are the wineries we stopped by:

The Art of Wine

Location: 101 AZ-89A b9, Sedona, AZ 86336 Hours: 11am-7pm (8pm Th-Sat)

This is one of my all time favorites! I think it was because we got such great service and there is so much to choose from. Art of Wine has so much to choose from, you can get a Red, White, Sweet, or Mead Flight. I got the Sweet flight which is $18 for 5 tastings and my husband got the Mead flight which is $25 for 7 tastings. This is more expensive than cottonwood but we both enjoyed everything we tasted. Art of wine also has craft beers if you don’t like wine and a happy hour Monday-Friday 3-6pm!

Vino Zona

Location: 336 AZ-179 Suite A207, Sedona, AZ 86336 Hours: 11am-6pm

Vino Zona is women owned and operated, and has such a great atmosphere! I literally felt like I was in a house in Italy sipping on wine. Great for a date or a girls day! All their wines are from Arizona and they have multiple options including Red, White, Sweet, Spicy and even ciders to choose from. If you buy a bottle tastings are free! Come here for the great service and ambiance!

What we didn’t try

Winery 1912
Location: 320 AZ-89A #3, Sedona, AZ 86336 Hours: 12pm-6pm (7pm Fri-Sat)
Great views of the red rock offer Red and White, flights $12 for any 5.

Jerome

The Original Jerome Winery

Location: 114 Jerome Ave, Jerome, AZ 86331 Hours: 12pm-5pm

This was our favorite in Jerome! The owner was the one working and he was super friendly and filled with dad jokes. He really took care of his customers even when it got busy toward the end of our visit. Tastings are 4 for $10 or 6 for $12 and you can choose from a list of different types. They also had a port tasting offering which I loved and this was 4 Ports for $16. Port wine is so good because it is sweet! Even got to taste with some chocolate! Would definitely go back to this one!

Passion Cellars

Location: 301 Main St, Jerome, AZ 86331 Hours: 11am-6pm (7pm Fri-Sat)

Service was good here, not much of an atmosphere inside but they have a really pretty painting of Jerome and have couches and tables to sit at. The outside front patio is nice and on a hill over looking part of Jerome. They had options for Red, White, or Sweet Flights. I had the sweet flight (by now you know my preference) and it was really good!

Four Eight Wineworks

Location: 140 Main St, Jerome, AZ 86331 Hours: 11am-6pm (8pm Fri-Sat)

Was not a fan of their wines but they had limited tasting options. The view inside of the building is really nice over looking Jerome and the Red Rock of Sedona in the distance! I’d say the view was the best part. The service was fine but nothing compared to service we had at other places. You have to get a ticket in order to use the restroom as it is for customers only. This place was just alright.

What we didn’t try

Caduceus Cellars
Location: 158 Main St, Jerome, AZ 86331 Hours: 8am-6pm (8pm Fri-Sat)
They were limiting occupancy to only 6 people for COVID. We got there right when a group went in and there were other people waiting outside in front of us. We passed by later and there was a small line so we skipped it. This place requires you to wear a mask in between tastings too (just something to consider (could attract you or deter you), other wineries only required masks inside while not seated at a table.

Cabal Cellars
Location: 417 Hull Ave, Jerome, AZ 86331 Hours: 11am-6pm (7pm Fri-Sat)
Just didn’t end up trying this one. Looks like a cool concept, wines and labels based on conspiracy theories.

Other Wineries on the Trail

Camp Verde, AZ

Camp Verde isn’t too far off of the freeway and about a 25 minute drive from Cottonwood.

• Clear Creek Winery
  • Location: 4053 AZ-260, Camp Verde, AZ 86322 Hours: 11am-5pm Wed-Sun
• Salt Mine Wine
  • Location: 536 W Salt Mine Rd, Camp Verde, AZ 86322 Hours: 12-5pm Sat-Sun
• Alcantara Vineyards & Winery
  • Location: 3445 S Grapevine Way, Camp Verde, AZ 86322 Hours: 11am-5pm (6pm Fri-Sat)

Clarkdale, AZ

Clarkdale is literally right next to Cottonwood. Just didn’t have enough time to visit!

• Southwest Wine Center
  • Location: 601 W Black Hills Dr, Clarkdale, AZ 86324 Hours: 12-6pm Sat-Sun
• Bodega Pierce
  • Location: 1341 AZ-89A, Clarkdale, AZ 86324 Hours: 12-6pm Thurs-Sun
• Chateau Tumbleweed
  • Location: 1151 AZ-89A, Clarkdale, AZ 86324 Hours: 12-6pm

Page Springs, AZ

Page Springs is located between Sedona and Cottonwood. Again, we just didn’t have time to visit them all!

• Page Springs Cellars
  • Location: 1500 N Page Springs Rd, Cornville, AZ 86325 Hours: 11am-7pm (9pm Thur-Sat)
• Oak Creek Vineyards
  • Location: 1555 N Page Springs Rd, Cornville, AZ 86325 Hours: 10am-6pm (7pm Fri-Sat)
• Javelina Leap
  • Location: 1565 N Page Springs Rd, Cornville, AZ 86325 Hours: 11am-6pm
• Da Ranch
  • Location: 1901 Dancing Apache Rd, Cornville, AZ 86325 Hours: 11am-6pm (closed Mon and Thurs)

So go ahead! Wine a little, or a lot!