Today we journeyed to the Verde Valley wine trail.
We went searching for Arizona Wines and it was a great experience.
We started driving from Phoenix area on Hwy 17 N, it took about 1.5 hours approx. 105 miles.
We started in the town of Jerome, AZ 5000 feet above sea-level; population just under 500.
The views from the other Mile-High town are spectacular.
This tiny old mining town is full of history.
There is great food and tons of funky city character, good lodgings, shops, restaurants,
and several wine tasting rooms... cha-ching!
We visited Caduceus Cellars winemaker/musician Maynard J Keenan's tasting room in Jerome .
It is a small cozy storefront. There are display racks that hold wine bottles for sale
and informational wine index cards on each wine.
The back wall displays retail swag for purchase logo- hats, t shirts etc.
Caduceus wine-bar is on the opposite wall. It offers small food plates.
Wine Service are 2 flights a Merkin and Caduceus. (note they do not waive taste fees w/purchases.)
The Merkin wines are affordable blends and their grapes are mostly sourced from New Mexico.
The Caduceus wines are of Italian varietals Sangiovese, Barbera, Nebbiolo and much better quality.
These also are sourced in NM and Southeast Arizona.
They are a limited production and they are very good wines.
Jerome AZ has other tasting rooms Passion Cellars, Jerome Winery &
Bitter Creek Cellars all a short walking distance from each other.
We traveled down the mountain & 10 minutes away is the small-town of Cottonwood AZ.
There on their historic Main St is everything you need.
Here we found the Pillsbury Wine Co. tasting room.
This is a spacious tasting room, service & wine information by the staff was very generous.
At this winery the grapes are sourced mainly in Southeast Arizona,
Wilcox, Cochise & Graham county areas.
The wines varietals are much different than Merkin/Caduceus.
Sam Pillsbury the wine maker has more single varietals Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc,
Viognier, Pinot Gris for whites & for reds a Rose and a killer Petite Sirah.
He also has a cadre of red and white blended wines that tasted very good.
There are several other wine tasting rooms around Cottonwood Fire Mountain,
Burning Tree, Arizona Stronghold. The wines complement the many restaurants like
The Schoolhouse and other shops like the wonderful bread-store called Orion Bakery.
The usual long ride to Sedona and Grand Canyon has just got a bit more interesting...don't miss it.
