Wine Country Weekend
Willcox, Sonoita & Tombstone
Most of Arizona’s wine grapes are grown in its southern wine regions – Willcox, Sonoita-Elgin and the Tombstone-McNeal area. The sheer volume of wineries makes it impossible to see everything in one trip – a pretty good problem for winos who want to support local. Mix and match or concentrate on one region this time, and plan your next visit before you leave.
How To Get There
Take the I-10 East and then exit 218 to the AZ-83 South and AZ-82 East into the Sonoita-Elgin area. Take the AZ-82 East to AZ-80 East to Tombstone. Take the AZ-80 West and I-10 East to I-10BL East/South Haskell Avenue to get to Willcox.
Best Seasons to Visit: Spring, Summer and Fall
Itinerary
-> A handful of Sonoita-Elgin wineries cluster along AZ-82 like a gaggle of grapes: Dos Cabezas WineWorks, Arizona Hops and Vines, Rune Wines and Hannah’s Hill Vineyard, to name a few. Dos Cabezas has a special place in our hearts for its canned rosé, fittingly dubbed Pink. 3248 Hwy. 82, Sonoita, 520-455-5141, doscabezas.com
-> U.S. Army veterans Tom and Edie Gustason produce eight varietals and pour them in their outdoor tasting room at High Lonesome Vineyard in McNeal (outside Tombstone). The Gustasons also started the Tombstone Wine Celebration, held every April and October. 8979 N. High Lonesome Rd., McNeal, 909-557-4872, highlonesomevineyard.com
-> Try to make it to Pearce for lunch at Talking Irons Coffee Saloon, a haven for gourmands. Owners Tom and Sara Burger sling espresso drinks, craft cocktails, artisanal ice cream and more. l 113 N. Frontage Rd., Pearce, 520-485-7944, talkingironscoffee.square.site
-> The Willcox Bench is an alluvial fan that elevates the vineyards along the historical Kansas Settlement farmland for excellent grape-growing conditions. Bodega Pierce, Zarpara Vineyard, Pillsbury Wine Company, Birds & Barrels Vineyards and Laramita Cellars are all close. willcoxwines.com
-> A tidy cluster of tasting rooms can be found along a few streets in Willcox. Bonus: more restaurants and other things to do, from antique shopping to the Rex Allen Museum. 150 N. Railroad Ave., Willcox, 520-384-4583, rexallenmuseum.org
-> Locals love Big Tex BBQ, a Texas-style smokehouse in Willcox. Owners Jeff and Isabel Willey also run Mexican restaurant Isabel’s South of the Border across the street, so you can get Tex or Mex after a day of wine tasting. 130 E. Maley St., Willcox, 520-384-4423, bigtexbbqaz.com
DID YOU KNOW?
Arizona wine production grew 1,940 percent between 2003 and 2017. Visit azwinegrowersassociation.com to learn more.
Overnight Options
Dos Cabezas Retreat Bed & Breakfast
Californians Sam and Dorothy Laage were so enchanted by the Chiricahuas that the hikers, birders and wine enthusiasts retired early to buy this charming property. It has stunning views of the mountains and guestrooms that date to the 1870s. 7101 E. White Pacheco St., Willcox, 520-507-1244, doscabezasretreat.com
The Huts at RLV Rhumb Line Vineyards
Rhumb Line Vineyard offers Quonset huts in the heart of the Willcox Bench. The units are the handiwork of Valley transplants Todd Myers and Michelle Minta, who also grow grapes, lavender and olives on their 60-acre property. 6255 S. Bennett Pl., Willcox, 520-789-6645, rhumblinevineyard.com
NextDoor @ Dos Cabezas
Right off the AZ-82, winemakers Kelly and Todd Bostock operate the hospitality half of their Dos Cabezas WineWorks. The two-bed Casa NextDoor and one-bed Casita NextDoor are equipped with kitchens, grills and record players. 3246 Hwy. 82, Sonoita, 520-455-5141, doscabezas.com/stay-with-us
Wild Card
It looks like a gas station in the middle of nowhere (because it is), but Mustang Mall has the best selection of Arizona wine south of Tucson. Fuel up, peruse Western accoutrements like saddles and cowboy hats, and then shop for any local bottles you missed on your tasting room excursions. 13116 S. Hwy. 191, Pearce, 520-824-3226, mustangmall.wixsite.com/mustangmall
