Arizona may not yet sit alongside Napa or the Finger Lakes in mainstream wine conversations and places to visit to taste wine, but that may not be true for long. During a recent visit to Scottsdale, I had the opportunity to explore a small but telling piece of the state’s growing wine industry — and what I found was a region actively defining its identity. With three distinct wine regions — Verde Valley, Sonoita, and Willcox, Arizona is leveraging high elevation vineyards, desert climate advantages, and strategic wine tourism initiatives to build both quality and recognition. Even in a short visit, it became clear: it’s a developing wine region.
Arizona has three major wine regions — Verde Valley, Sonoita, and Willcox — each with unique soils, elevations, and grape varietals that produce flavorful and distinctive wines. Across the state there are over 120 wineries and tasting rooms, and the wine tourism industry has grown massively in recent years, drawing people from across the country to explore this emerging wine region.
On the Scottsdale Wine Trail, I stopped into two tasting rooms: LDV Winery – where high-altitude Rhône-style wines reflect the rugged terroir of southeastern Arizona – and Cabal Cellars. The vibe in these tasting rooms is warm, relaxed, and welcoming, making it easy to spend an afternoon enjoying flights and chatting with passionate staff about the story behind each bottle.
Arizona’s wine industry is still defining itself, but that may be its greatest strength. With high-elevation vineyards, Rhône and Mediterranean varietals thriving in desert conditions, and accessible tasting experiences like the Scottsdale Wine Trail, the state is building a cohesive identity that blends tourism with terroir.
Even though my trip was shortened by travel delays, I managed to get a taste of what makes Arizona wine special — from bold reds to refreshing whites and a few Rosés, it’s clear this Southwestern wine scene is one worth writing home about and tasting if you find yourself out that way.
