Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce
Lana Tolleson
1010 S. Main St., Cottonwood, AZ 86326
E-Mail: lana@cottonwoodchamberaz.org
Website: www.vvwinetrail.com
Phone: 928-634-7593
LOCATION: The Verde Valley is located in North-Central, Arizona, about 100 miles north of Phoenix. It
is 35-miles long and is comprised of the towns of Cottonwood, Jerome, Sedona, Clarkdale, Cornville,
and Camp Verde. Verde Valley was cut by water over 15-20 million years. It is rich with culture, art and
recreational activities. The area is unsurpassed in its variety of physical beauty with the red rocks and
Mogollon Rim to the north and east and the Black Hills and Mingus Mountain dominating the western
and southern portions of the valley.
WHY THE VERDE VALLEY?: Many are surprised to hear that the Verde Valley is a wine region, but the
Verde Valley is very comparable to many of the great wine growing regions throughout the world! For
millions of years, the Verde Valley has gone through transformations that have given its soil the right
conditions to grow great grapes. The Verde Valley was originally a slate of sedimentary rock layered
with volcanic intrusions. The intrusions blocked the Verde River at times creating lakes that added
calcareous marine sediment to the landscape. The alkaline sediments, combined with nutrients and
minerals that were washed down from higher grounds by the river, have created ideal soil for grapes.
Grapes like a stressful life. They do the best in a rocky, inhospitable landscape. The more they have to
fight, the more concentrated their juice is. You may not get the quantity that you would if you planted
on a fertile plot of land, but the quality is much better and that is what winegrowers strive for to make
great wine.
The elevation and climate also contribute to the success of growing grapes. The Verde Valley is at the
same elevation as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Iran, places where grapes were first domesticated and the
first wine was made. The elevation of between 3,300 ft. and 5,000 ft. combined with the right latitude
provides the optimal climate for growing grapes. It is hot during the day and cold at night, which
stresses the grapes. The heat is required for sugar production and the cool nights are important for
acid retention. Without the dramatic change in temperature, the grapes will not develop complexity
and character!
WINE AS A SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRY: The wine industry in the Verde Valley hits on all three points of
sustainability: Economically Viable, Socially Responsible and Environmentally Sound. Wine regions
across the world have proven that they can contribute to the sustainability of their communities.
Economically, vineyards provide jobs. Income from the wine sales preserves the regions agricultural
roots and heritage and brings additional tourism into the region.
The wine industry is also an environmentally friendly industry. All of the wineries use organic
techniques in their wine making practices, including not using any petro-chemicals in their production
process. Grapes use 1/10th of the water per acre than cotton or other row crops do. Grape vines also
use land that might otherwise be unusable and are esthetically pleasing.
WINE CYCLE: Harvest usually takes place between the 3rd week of August and the end of October.
Winemaking coincides with harvest and aging is varied depending on the wine. The lightest blush wine
may be in stainless steel for 6 months before release and the biggest red might be in oak casks for up
to 24 months. On average, wines see 10-12 months in barrel and a minimum of two months in bottle
before release.
WINERIES
Javelina Leap Vineyards
1565 Page Springs Rd., Cornville, AZ 86325
Phone: 928-649-2681
www.javelinaleapwinery.com
Page Springs Cellars
1500 North Page Springs Road, Cornville, AZ
86325
Phone: 928-639-3004
www.PageSpringsCellars.com
Alcantara Vineyards
3445 South Grapevine Way, Verde Valley,
Arizona 86326
Phone:928-649-8463
www.alcantaravineyard.com
Oak Creek Vineyards
1555 Page Springs Rd., Cornville, Arizona
86325
Phone: 928-649-0290
www.oakcreekvineyards.net
TASTING ROOMS
Arizona Stronghold Tasting Room
1023 Main Street, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Phone: 928-639-2789
www.AZStronghold.com
Pillsbury Wine Company Tasting Room
1012 N Main Street, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Phone: 928-639-0646
www.pillsburywine.com
Burning Tree Cellars
1040 N Main Street, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Phone:928-649-8733
www.burningtreecellars.com
Bitter Creek Winery
240 Hull Avenue, Jerome, Arizona 86331
Phone: 928-634-7033
www.bittercreekwinery.com
ELEVATION: The Verde Valley is between 3,300 ft. and 5,000 feet above sea level.
POPULATION: The Verde Valley’s population is 65,000 people.
CLIMATE
Highs Lows Rain
Spring 79 39 .77
Summer 97 58 1.28
Fall
75 37 1.1
Winter 63 28 1.13
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES: The Verde Valley has a number of state parks and open spaces that are
used for recreational activities. Hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, picnicking, canoeing,
birding, ATV and horseback riding are all possible in the Verde Valley. With over 8 different wilderness
areas to choose from, the Verde Valley is a very easy place to go and enjoy the outdoors and beautiful
scenery.
ART & CULTURE: Art and Culture are abundant though the small communities of the Verde Valley.
With many galleries and artists in the region, it is a hub for all types of art. The cultural influence of
Native Americans can be seen throughout the Verde Valley. The region is also home to many art walks,
art festivals, craft shows and the Sedona Film Festival. Respected historians have said that no other
area anywhere has a more convincing precedent for the creation and prospering of an art industry
than Sedona and the Verde Valley.
LOCAL DINING: From fine dining to gourmet food shops offering their finest local wines, beer, olive
oils, cheeses, chocolates and more, the Verde Valley has many local dining options. Right in the heart
of Old Town Cottonwood, you can find a dozen restaurants all within a few short blocks of each other.
MOTELS/LODGING: The Verde Valley has all types of accommodations, with motels, hotels and Bed &
Breakfasts. Come and stay awhile and enjoy all we have to offer.
ANNUAL TOURIST VISITATION: 3,230,577
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS: The Verde Valley has a variety of local attractions. The Verde Canyon Railroad
runs year round and has a Grape Train Escape during the summer months that serves local wines. The
Blazin’ M Ranch gives visitors an authentic experience with a chuck wagon style dinner and show. Out
of Africa gives visitors the experience of an African Safari right here in Arizona!
Verde Valley is also full of Ancient Ruins that people can visit. They will see ancient dwellings, pueblos
and petroglyphs. The Tuzigoot National Monument and Montezuma Castle National Monument are
two of the most famous ancient ruin sites in the Verde Valley.
A variety of museums are also scattered throughout the region. Visit the ghost town turned quirky
artist town of Jerome, or the first jail in Cottonwood. All will let you relive the history and culture of the
region.
For a list of all local attractions, visit www.vvwinetrail.com/thingstodo
WINERIES- Vineyards with a tasting room
Page Springs
Founded: in 2004
Acres: Estate Vineyards is 4 acres, partner on 110 acres in Willcox
Grapes planted on Estate Vineyard: Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, Grenache and Cabernet Pfeffer
Cases Produced Annually: 5,000 cases
Owner Bio: Eric Glomski is the Director of Winemaking and the owner of the company – backed by his
father, mother, brother and step-father. Eric was born in Chicago, raised in Boston and moved to
Arizona in his late teens to attend Prescott College in Arizona. Prior to getting into winemaking, Eric
worked as an ecologist and environmental consultant specializing in river restoration. He worked in the
California wine industry for several years, most notably as co-winemaker at David Bruce Winery in the
Santa Cruz Mountains. He founded Page Springs Cellars in 2004 and currently directs winegrowing and
sales and marketing.
www.pagesrpingscellars.com
Oak Creek
Founded: 2002
Grapes planted: Chardonnay, Fume Blanc, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel
Cases Produced Annually: 1,000
Owner Bio: Deb has spent the last 30 years emerged in the wine industry. She spent the beginning of
her career as a wine broker. Having a passion for wine the next logical step for Deb was to buy a
vineyard of her own. She purchased the vineyard that is now Oak Creek Vineyards in 2002. Deb enjoys
the hands on aspect of the wine industry everything from farming, to bottling, to paring wines with
food, she does it all! Out of this enthusiasm she created Deb Wahl a Chef and Sommelier Catering
located in Santa Barbra, California.
www.oakcreekvineyards.net
Javelina Leap
Founded: 2005
Acres: 4 acres
Principal Wines: merlot, cabernet, syrah, zinfandel
Owner Bio: Rob was in Marketing, in the record industry in LA, then he sold newspaper ads, and helped
to publish Lake Powell Magazine. He has also done a variety of jobs in the hospitality industry including
bartending, chef, and a B&B Proprietor. Rob spent is spare time traveling through wine country. In
2000, he started working for a local Arizona winery, and offered his time there for free. He learned the
business from planting, harvesting, blending, and botteling. In 2004 he decided it was time to venture
out on his own and he bought the 4 acres on Page Springs Rd. and has never looked back since. Rob is
also the Vice President of the Arizona Wine Growers Association.
www.javelinaleapwinery.com
Alcantara
Founded: 2004
Acres: 87, with 10 acres currently planted
Grapes planted: 12 different varietals
Owner Bio: Alcantara is a dream venture created by Barbara Predmore, the owner and proprietor.
Barbara, and her husband, Bob, started the vineyard to provide their family and partners the
opportunity to live the dream of working and developing a vineyard community and winery, making
wines that are
comparable to the best of California and Europe. The Alcantara Vineyard dates even before 2004,
when
Barbara Predmore and her husband Bob defined the Verde Valley property as the optimal location for
Barbara’s dream of a world-class wine production location. Barbara had spent four years with research
and diligence using the best consultants from University of Arizona and UC Davis with support from her
family connection at the noted Martin-Weyrich Vineyards in Central California.
www.alcantaravineyard.com
TASTING ROOMS
Jerome
Bitter Creek Winery
Bitter Creek Winery features a variety of rich red, as well as some dry succulent white blends from
their
Vineyard in Willcox Wine Country down in South Eastern Arizona.
Owners of both Bitter Creek and Jerome Winery, John McLoughlin works all the vines himself and
offers more than 30 distinct wines.
www.Bittercreekwinery.com
Cottonwood
Arizona Stronghold Tasting Room
Founded in 2007 by winemakers Eric Glomski (Owner of Page Springs Cellars) and Maynard James
Keenan (Owner of Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards & Orchards) Arizona Stronghold offers
sustainably produced, award winning wine. Glomski and Keenan believe that great wine doesn’t have
to be
expensive; it doesn’t have to be pretentious; and it shouldn’t be hard to find. It just has to be great
and it has to be made by people that care.
www.AZStronghold.com
Pillsbury Wine Company Tasting Room
Southern Arizona’s Pillsbury Wine Company is the evolution of a Dream-Come-True project by New
Zealand Film Director and Winemaker Sam Pillsbury. He is committed to making quality wine from
grapes only grown in Arizona. Pillsbury Wine Company tasting room features wines from Freitas
Vineyards and Pillsbury Vineyards. The first wine vines were planted March 4, 2000.
www.pillsburywine.com
Burning Tree Cellars Tasting Room
Located in Old Town Cottonwood, Burning Tree Cellars specializes in small batch, meticulously
maintained, boutique wines utilizing the finest available fruit sources, quality oak, and patience. Our
wines will never
be pushed through chain supermarkets or over marketed, but rather built through the power of
suggestion and knowledge that we are all part of something special. These wines are, and always will
be for each other, our families, and our friends.
www.burningtreecellars.com