Peanut butter has jelly. Bagels have cream cheese. And across Arizona, food has wine. So much fabulous wine. Over the past several years, truly inspired formal and informal wine pairing programs have sprouted up across State 48.
Here are some favorites:
Anhelo
Spanish for “longing” or “desire,” Anhelo is among the most intimate ways to enjoy fine dining in Downtown Phoenix. Limited to just 50 guests at any seating, Chef Ivan Jacobo is electrifying palates on a nightly basis, dreaming up dishes on his tasting menu like a medley of roasted beets with yogurt espuma, goat cheese snow, and pumpernickel crumble. Or, savor impeccably plated Chilean sea bass with homemade gnocchi, guanciale, and jus made from leeks. The only thing that rivals his magical flavor combinations are those combinations with the perfect glass (or glasses) of wine. Every single selection on the wine list is hand-chosen by wine director Ryan Ansell, who travels the world (yes, really) to meet face-to-face with brands, owners, and the winemakers themselves to seek out the best-of-the-best vintages for guests. He can most often be seen visiting each table during service, offering advice on pairings beyond those he suggests on the written menu, considering each person’s individual tastes and preferences. And Ansell especially shines during wine pairing dinners, which are semi-monthly and always include the founders or owners of the wine estate as part of the evening. Just some of the dinners to date have featured Hundred Acre, Château Margaux, Château Angélus, Château Cheval Blanc, and more.
Hearth ‘61
In the 1930s and 1940s, supper clubs were the cat’s meow, offering guests a combination dining experience and social club all in one. Years later, the concept evolved to describe underground restaurants whose guests usually needed to be of a certain status to gain entry. At Mountain Shadows, the Sunday Supper Club at Hearth ’61 is all about community…and wine! No membership is needed, and the only rule is to enjoy every bite and sip. The evening, held one Sunday a month, includes a four-course dinner with thoughtfully paired beverages and a delightful conversation from executive chef Charles Wiley, who helped put Arizona food on the map, as well as a special guest. The spring events are set for April 14 and May 26. Of course, anything on their normal food menu can find a glass to pair as well!
ZuZu
ZuZu has long offered a twist on the traditional wine pairing dinner by way of its monthly Versus series. During the interactive, wonderfully loud and joyous evening, two wineries go head-to-head, pairing their varietals with multiple courses from acclaimed executive chef Russell LaCasce’s whimsical, robust, mouth-watering imagination. The twist? Guests will not know which vineyard is pouring which wine. Thus, when asked to vote for their favorite pairing at the close of each course, they do so blindly, meaning without the benefit of knowing who poured what. As a result, folks end up sipping on varietals they never knew they liked, and the winner is crowned based on merit, never marketing (though all of the wines are pretty damn fantastic).
Che a Chi
Nestled in the ultra-private Boynton Canyon amid the reddest of Sedona’s Red Rocks, Enchantment Resort has a view and vibe unlike any other in the world. Yet at Che a Chi, its sublime signature eatery, the eyes wander from the vibrant surroundings to the food and drink over and over again. That’s thanks to the combination of more than 500 hand-selected wines and bounty of ingredients from local farmers, ranchers, and purveyors. Every dish on the menu features a wine pairing, and there are nightly options to add custom pairings to any meal. Beyond this, the resort sommelier Danny Picard leads an upscale wine dinner nearly monthly during its busier seasons, with recent partners including ZD Wines, Hamel Family Wines, and Far Niente. In an effort to spread its love for all things vino, the resort also recently launched a new weekly wine tasting class called The Joy of Wine. The program, which takes place every Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., showcases four to five fine wines while Picard shares rousing and educational stories about winemaking and the chosen brands.
J&G Steakhouse
Fifteen. That is the number of years since J&G Steakhouse opened its doors at The Phoenician. It is also the number of years that Wine Spectator Magazine has named the chic eatery among the best places for vino in the Valley and beyond. Getting better with age, J&G tempts with a globe-straddling wine list backed by The Phoenician’s private wine cellar, which is tucked in a secret location deep beneath this luxurious resort. There, super rare vintages such as a 1959 Château Mouton Rothschild Bordeaux and a 1988 Dalle Valle Napa Cabernet are just waiting to be paired with guests’ supper. J&G also offers an extensive selection of fine wines by the glass, but if visiting for the first time, splurge and go for the five-course chef’s tasting menu with a diverse, robust pairing of mind-bending wines.
Fat Ox
Led by certified sommelier Jonah Gifford, Fat Ox is a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner since 2021. Boasting an impressive and deep collection of Italian wines from across multiple regions, each is a dizzyingly delight. For those who prefer their dinner with New World offerings, Fat Ox also features an extensive selection of high-end California Cabernets, and just for fun launched a French wine program. The primary menu boasts a full section on rare wines, offered by the glass versus the usual bottle to make them more approachable for those venturing to try them for the first time. Bonus: during Aperitivo Hour, Fat Ox’s twist on happy hour, there are deep discounts on stunners.
Becketts Table
Looking to explore Arizona wines? Look no further than Beckett’s Table, whose wine program is driven by two accredited sommeliers in co-owners T. Scott and Katherine Stephens. Certainly, there is an impressive list of Old-World wines on the extensive menu, but the couple are among the biggest stewards and advocates for local wine in the region. They call it celebrating the bounty of their backyard, going to far as to recently host the first-ever “Judgement of Arizona.” A nod to the iconic Judgement of Paris, the Arizona Wine Growers Association-sanctioned program paired 12 Arizona wines against 12 international wines in a blind tasting. Six esteemed judges, including a master of wine, restauranteurs, and wine educators were tasked with selecting the best wines of the day. The result? An Arizona red won top honors!
Elliott’s Steakhouse
In 2016, Gavin Jacob partnered with Chandler icons Jackie and Elliott Hall to light the culinary scene in the Southeast Valley on fire with the Brickyard Downtown. Its success led to the opening of the Hidden House in 2019, Maple House soon after, and then last year Elliott’s Steakhouse. Named to honor Hall, who passed, Elliott’s is housed in a historic theatre building where Hall once watched movies as a child, and it is a love letter to food, wine, and community. There are more than 150 wines on the current menu, with plans to expand to about 300. But what sets Elliot’s apart are the words emblazoned on the wine menu, stating that they simply wish that their “range of vintages and varietals echo our enduring hope that each sip with us becomes a scene in your timeline.” They also believe that “each bottle invites you to create new stories with those you dine with.” Simple yet elegant, each bottle elevates the impressive menu to new heights and is a list worth bearing the Elliott name.
FnB
For years, FnB has set the standard for seasonally inspired and veggie-forward food paired with a surprising list of wines, including several local offerings, leading to a James Beard for Outstanding Beverage Program. In 2022, the venue kicked things up a notch when co-owner and local wine icon Pavle Milic opened Los Milics in Elgin. It’s a full-scale vineyard that grows its grapes at a 5,000-foot elevation and crafts its varietals in rustic Southern European style. Los Milics wines are available at the restaurant, both on their own or with pairing suggestions, along with sister Arizona vintages from Carlson Creek, Cove Mesa, Chateau Tumbleweed, and many more. There is also a “plan B” wine menu, showcasing Pavle’s recommendations from across France, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Germany, New Zealand, Italy, Argentina, and the list goes on (and on!).
FLG Terroir Wine Bar & Bistro
FLG Terroir is a second-story, loft-style lounge that focuses on pairing small boutique wineries from around the world. It’s the only consistent Wine Spectator awarded outpost in Flagstaff—awarded five years in a row and counting. Their menu showcases vino in all price categories alongside small creative plates and an assortment of house-made ice creams. There are well over 500 diverse selections, and a total inventory of at least 2,500 wines at any given time. Everyone working behind the bar is well-versed in vino, both for the sommelier-level drinker and novice alike. The impressive selection of pairings changes with the seasons, from across France, California, Italy, Spain, and Arizona. Be sure to ask the server or barkeep about options based on your individual palate and profile. Bonus: there are more than 25 options by the glass, and the walls of the restaurant are lined with retail options to enjoy at home.
written by: alison bailin batz | photographed by: luke irvin