Earlier in August, we did a great trip to Wine Country in Southeastern Arizona, for the Sonoita Vineyard Harvestfest. They have some of the best wines in the area. They had a terrific crowd, live music, wine pairing with different tasting from dip and crackers to lavender chocolate. We heard from the vineyard manager, Lincoln Cranford, and the origins of the vineyard are very interesting. It's very obvious the knowledge and experience he has. We even met the founder on a vineyard tour, Dr Gordon Dutt, what an engaging man. We learned about the Mission grape, one he specializes in among several others. Check out their website, they have lots of activities to participate in,
http://www.sonoitavineyards.com.
Then of course we had to check out some of the other wineries in the area. This was our second trip to this area, so we focused on wineries that we hadn't been to before and found our new favorite, Lightening Ridge Cellars! Their focus is Italian wines and I love every one of them! And that's unusual, since typically you find only a few wines at a winery that fits your flavor palate. We met one of the owners, Ron Roncone, and such a friendly guy and so willing to talk about his vineyard and winery. Have you ever tasted wines in the winery, taken it home, and then after opening it at home, wondered what you were thinking? I don't think that will happen with Lightening Ridge wines, I was so impressed in the winery. We shall see... http://www.lightningridgecellars.com
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention our accomodations while we stayed overnight in the Sonoita/Elgin area. We stayed at the historic Sonoita Inn, in Sonoita of course. http://www.sonoitainn.com/. What a quaint and well done location. The history is so well preserved in western country decor and wood furniture. The co-owner of the famed racehorse Secretariat, Margaret Charmichael, designed the hotel and has photos and names of the history of the area. There were photos of Margaret as a small child in our room, and of families and farms, biographies of the ranches in the area, all making it such a homey atmosphere. They provided some breakfast foods, but you helped yourself, to the fridge, the cupboards, with old china and stoneware and silverware. In the evening they provided wine and cheese or chips and salsa at a large wooden table that everyone sits around, visiting and sharing origins. But don't despair, they had an HDTV in the room, so we got to stay tuned to the Olympics at the time.
The Southeastern Arizona area is absolutely beautiful, around 5000 ft elevation, so the temperatures are less than Phoenix and Tucson. Mountains close, rolling hills throughout, high desert with open plains. And lots of small towns available to search through, and of course many wineries to entertain along your travels. And of course the best thing I accomplished was filling some holes in my wine rack. Until I create new holes to fill..../lan.
http://www.sonoitavineyards.com.
Then of course we had to check out some of the other wineries in the area. This was our second trip to this area, so we focused on wineries that we hadn't been to before and found our new favorite, Lightening Ridge Cellars! Their focus is Italian wines and I love every one of them! And that's unusual, since typically you find only a few wines at a winery that fits your flavor palate. We met one of the owners, Ron Roncone, and such a friendly guy and so willing to talk about his vineyard and winery. Have you ever tasted wines in the winery, taken it home, and then after opening it at home, wondered what you were thinking? I don't think that will happen with Lightening Ridge wines, I was so impressed in the winery. We shall see... http://www.lightningridgecellars.com
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention our accomodations while we stayed overnight in the Sonoita/Elgin area. We stayed at the historic Sonoita Inn, in Sonoita of course. http://www.sonoitainn.com/. What a quaint and well done location. The history is so well preserved in western country decor and wood furniture. The co-owner of the famed racehorse Secretariat, Margaret Charmichael, designed the hotel and has photos and names of the history of the area. There were photos of Margaret as a small child in our room, and of families and farms, biographies of the ranches in the area, all making it such a homey atmosphere. They provided some breakfast foods, but you helped yourself, to the fridge, the cupboards, with old china and stoneware and silverware. In the evening they provided wine and cheese or chips and salsa at a large wooden table that everyone sits around, visiting and sharing origins. But don't despair, they had an HDTV in the room, so we got to stay tuned to the Olympics at the time.
The Southeastern Arizona area is absolutely beautiful, around 5000 ft elevation, so the temperatures are less than Phoenix and Tucson. Mountains close, rolling hills throughout, high desert with open plains. And lots of small towns available to search through, and of course many wineries to entertain along your travels. And of course the best thing I accomplished was filling some holes in my wine rack. Until I create new holes to fill..../lan.
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