Top Stops for Phoenix Winerlovers

When you think of Phoenix, Arizona, "wine tour" doesn't immediately pop into your mind. Well, it's time to retrain your brain! The Phoenix area is ripe with vineyards and opportunities to try some of the best wines in the country.

Windmill Winery, at the edge of the Phoenix area in Florence, is the closest winery on our list, so it's the perfect place to take out-of-town guests, dates, and friends who deserve a day trip. The best part of the distance advantage is that your trip won't require evening driving. Guests can enjoy monthly wine tasting events, an annual Mardi Gras celebration, as well as tours, and just take in the country as Windmill Winery is open year-round.

Daily wine tastings are $10.

More information: www.thewindmillwinery.com; 520-858-6050; 1140 W. Butte Ave., Florence, AZ 85132

Alcantara Wineryin Verde Valley, also open year-round, is the home of the Prescott Fine Art and Wine Festival in May. Other events worth driving north for are The Tempe Festival for the Arts, and The Pecan Wine and Antiques Festival, both in which Alcantara participates annually. The tasting room is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and, best of all, their delicious wines are affordable. Tours are offered Friday and Saturday at 11:30.

Daily wine tastings are $10-$15.

More information: www.alcantaravineyard.com; 928- 649- 8463; 3445 South Grapevine Way, Verde Valley, AZ 86326

South of Tucson in the Coronado Valley is an entire grouping of vineyards that should not be missed on any wine tasting tour. Callaghan Vineyards produces several different wines, all of them remarkable. It is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 3:00 pm. Their 25 acre vineyard is a must not miss for high country wines.

Daily wine tastings are $7.

More information: www.callaghanvineyards.com; 520-455-5322; 336 Elgin Road, Elgin, AZ 85611

Wilhelm Family Vineyards is open weekends 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. They truly are a family operation and they produce a wine that exceeds the expectations of their modest tasting room prices.

Daily wine tastings are $5-$8.

More information: www.wilhelmfamilyvineyards.com; 520-455-9291; 21 Mountain Ranch Drive, Sonoita, AZ 85611.

And last but not least is our favorite, Sonoita Vineyards, a sustainability model of grape production and another family operation, open from 10:00 to 4:00 7 days a week. (While you are in the area why not try the Arizona Horseback Experience in Sonoita!) For a real treat try to attend the Vineyard Blessing Festival in April or The Harvest Fest at the end of July!

Daily wine tastings are $7.

More information: www.sonoitavineyards.com; 520-455-5893; 290 Elgin-Canelo Road, Elgin, AZ 85611

For a day trip outside of Phoenix think outside the box and head for the bottle -- of quality Arizona wine!