Last year, northern Arizona’s winemakers and tasting rooms earned some well-deserved respect. “In 2021, the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau named Verde Valley, which includes much of Yavapai County including Cottonwood, Jerome, Camp Verde, Clarkdale, White Hills, Cornville, and Rimrock, as Arizona’s third American Viticultural Area, or AVA,” said Tom Schumacher, president of the Verde Valley Wine Consortium. “With the announcement, Verde Valley joins Sonoita and Willcox in Southern Arizona as premium grape-growing regions for the state.”
According to Schumacher, while AVAs are similar to France’s long-held appellation system to discern wine regions, the U.S. version does not limit the type of grapes that may be grown in a particular area. “As a result, the Verde Valley AVA is already growing more than 40 grape varieties that produce well-known wines from Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon to Syrah and Viognier to those perhaps lesser-known by the American wine-drinking public such as Malvasia Bianca, Seyval Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, and Tannat,” says Schumacher.
Jerome
Among the pioneers in growing grapes in the region is MJ Keenan, who moved to Jerome in 1995. A U.S. Army vet, in addition to his Grammy Award-winning work in music, Keenan grew up in Michigan working on local orchards and farms. When he moved to Jerome, his passion for working the land continued, and he got interested in winemaking. By 2004, he had launched his first label, Caduceus Cellars, and opened an accompanying tasting room in Jerome. Keenan soon gained a following for his earthy varietals, helping earn the Arizona wine industry worldwide acclaim along the way. In 2005, the first Merkin Vineyards label appeared with a limited release of its Chupacabra. A decade later, Merkin Vineyards opened a second tasting room in Cottonwood.
Cottonwood
“While Merkin was one of the first wineries with roots in Cottonwood, he would certainly not be the last,” says Heather Hermen of Visit Cottonwood. “Today, there are nearly a dozen tasting rooms along our Main Street alone, each showcasing the best varietals from across Arizona and throughout the Verde Valley AVA. In addition to Merkin, Arizona Stronghold, Carlson Creek, Tantrum Wines, Pillsbury Wine Company, Provisioner Wines, Burning Tree Cellars and more are all within walking distance.”
Camp Verde and Cornville
Like Jerome and Cottonwood, Camp Verde and Cornville—often called Page Springs—are home to several Verde Valley AVA innovators and pioneers. Chief among them are the teams at Alcantara Vineyards in Camp Verde as well as Page Springs Cellars and Javelina Leap Vineyard Winery & Bistro, both in Cornville.
Alcantara was founded along the Verde River in 2005 by the husband-and-wife team of Barbara and Bob Predmore. The vineyard, which is focused on sustainable farming and offers nearly 20 varietals for taste and purchase along with antipasto, cheese, and sweets plates, not only boasts a massive deck overlooking the Verde River and its vines but kayak tours before tasting.
About 25 minutes from Alcantara is one vineyard that helped put Arizona on the map in Page Springs Cellars. This winery and vineyard tucked into the volcanic landscape overlooking pristine Oak Creek Canyon, Page Springs produces Rhone-style wines, working primarily with Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, and Mourvedre.
And less than half a mile from Page Springs is Javelina Leap. The vineyard’s seemingly random name is a clever nod to the wild native javelina who roam the property yet leave the vines alone. The name also nods to Stag’s Leap, the world-renowned California winery that helped start the American wine movement in the 1970s that continues today. Since its debut over 20 years ago, Javelina Leap has grown steadily in size and reputation, today making about 2,600 to 3,000 cases of estate-grown wine each year. Those wines have earned medals and honors from the Arizona Republic Wine Competition, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Annual Arizona Wine Growers Awards, International Wine Channel TV Awards, and more. They make everything available to sip on the property as the tasting room is also home to their winemaking facilities. Currently, there are more than a dozen varietals being made onsite including Riesling, Barbera, Petite Sirah, Malbec, Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and several blends.
Clarkdale
Speaking of growth, Verde Valley will continue to see its star rise thanks in great part to the talent who already call the region home, but also thanks to the Southwest Wine Center, which is in Clarkdale and home to Yavapai College’s Viticulture and Enology program. The full-scale winery and farm right on the property features a 13-acre teaching vineyard where students of all ages take part in the ultimate hands-on approach to learning. There is even a tasting room open to the public.
For more information on the many wines, winemakers, and spots to indulge your love of wine up north, visit www.verdevalleyava.org.