Wine Time in Arizona
By Susan Bard Hall
Sedona, Arizona is known for its stunning, panoramic red rock vistas, temperant weather, vortex energy, hiking trails, art galleries, fine fare and casual dining, wineries and a microbrewery. Yes, wineries and a microbrewery.
About 10 miles from Sedona's city limits are Page Springs Vineyards & Cellars, Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery, and tied for oldest of the trio, Echo Canyon Vineyard & Winery. This winery was opened in 2002 by Jon Marcus, a retired attorney who bought 30 acres of land that a century ago was vegetable and fruit farmland. Echo Canyon does offer whites like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and reds including Cabernet Sauvignon and Primativo, but unfortunately doesn't offer a tasting room to sample before splurging. www.echocanyonwinery.com
Oak Creek Vineyards also opened in 2002. Owner and Winemaker Deb Wahl does offer samples, tastings and tours as well as serve lunch. The intense Arizona sun, cool nights, and volcanically-enriched desert soil produces Syrah, Merlot, Zinfandel and Chardonnay. www.oakcreekvineyards.net
My personal favorite is Page Springs Cellars. Owner/Winemaker Eric Glomski's first harvest is expected this year. Until his vineyard yields fruit, Glomski has trucked in grapes from Wilcox, Arizona, along with Sonoma, Paso Robles, and California's Central Coast that he crushes, barrel-ages and bottles on site. Page Springs bills itself as a "Rhone House" and focuses on Rhone grapes, including reds like Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache and whites such as Viognier.
Page Springs's tasting room is open daily. For five dollars, you'll taste four wines and keep the keepsake wine glass. They also currently ship to Illinois. www.pagespringscellars.com
