Sedona Verde Valley Wine Region - SedonaVineyards.com

Sedona Verde Valley Wine and Vineyard Tours - SedonaVineyards.com

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Millions of years ago the Sedona-Verde Valley was a river delta where minerals and other alluvial deposits from the Colorado Plateau (created from volcanic activity) settled on to the valley floor.

In the 1800's fruit harvesting was a major industry for the area, and an apple orchard still exists at Slide Rock State Park in Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona.

The fertile limestone enriched soil and abundant sunshine, coupled with the area's slightly cooler 4,500 foot elevation and two major waterways: the Verde River and the Oak Creek (the only two year round flowing waters in Arizona that are continuously recharged from annual monsoons and snow melt from the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff) provide the perfect conditions for grape growing.

Large underground aquifers and an intricate cave system that channels water beneath the surface also help make Page Springs (Cornville) and Camp Verde in the Sedona-Verde Valley home to some of Arizona's most well known vineyards; and wine making and tours one of its fastest growing industries (see map below for Sedona-Verde Valley's river and creeks).

Good climate, water, and soil conditions are the three most important factors for a successful vineyard and the Sedona-Verde Valley has them all. The rocky, sloping land of the area also provide the good drainage necessary for exceptional grape growing.

The biggest battle against growing grapes in Northern Arizona are the cold snaps, and monsoons which can trap moisture on the leaves and rot the grapes. But cool weather also has its benefits. The elevation of the Verde Valley between 4,000 and 5,000 feet leads to cooler summers and low evening temperatures. According to Rhonni Boss-Moffitt, publisher of Arizona Vines and Wines magazine, "That's what the grapes really thrive in. It thickens their skin. It contributes more flavor to the wine."

Wine harvests typically take place in August and September.

Types of Wines

Estate grown grapes (grown on local vineyards) in the Sedona-Verde Valley are primarily varietals such as Syrah and Durif grapes that create Syrah and Petite Sirah red wine, also grown in the Rhone Valley in France.

The Rhone Valley is one of the best regions for growing warm-bodied reds, and its climate is continental, with warm, sunny summers and cold winters, similar to the Sedona-Verde Valley.

Syrah is spicy, fruity, sometimes smoky and meaty, and shows plenty of tannin. Tannins create the dry and puckery feeling in the mouth one gets when sipping red wine. Petite Sirah produces dark, inky colored wines that are relatively acidic, with firm texture and mouth feel and a bouquet that has herbal and black pepper overtones.

Other vines that are planted in the area are Merlot, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon, among others.

Grapes from southern Arizona and California are also fermented in Sedona-Verde Valley wineries offering visitors a wide variety of white and red wines to enjoy throughout the year.

Sedona Verde Valley Wine and Vineyard Tours - SedonaVineyards.com