Arizona is perhaps best known for its fantastic weather and unbelievable terrains and landscapes. Between visiting the Grand Canyon and touring the red hillsides Arizona has always been a good state for tourism. What most people don’t know, however, is that Arizona is fast becoming one of the best wine destinations in the United States. Scottsdale in particular has some of the best wineries in Arizona. If you’re a wine connoisseur, visiting Scottsdale wineries is a must.
How Many Wineries are in Scottsdale
Arizona entered into the wine industry in the early 1970s and has morphed into one of the biggest destinations for wine tasting and wine culture in the country. Wine drinking has never been the most popular in the United States, but destinations such as California, Texas, New York, and now Arizona are all contributing to a growing love for wine throughout the country. Scottsdale is one of the best cities in the state in which to experience this wine culture, and there are currently 5 major wineries in the region that are driving the industry forward. In total there are around 120 wineries in Arizona.
Which Wines is Arizona Best Known For?
The climate in Arizona is one of the best in the country for grape cultivation and the resultant vinification of wine. The climate has been likened to those found in California and Argentina, which are two destinations known for their prolific production of wine. The farmlands found in Scottsdale are experienced and produce around 1/3rd of wine in the state.
Wineries in Scottsdale make full use of the land and the climate in the region to produce award-winning wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon’s, Malbecs, and Merlots. Volcanic soils coupled with mild winters and hot summers help with the cultivation of grapes with thick skins, dark colours and huge bursts of flavour.
The Top 4 Wineries in Scottsdale
LDV Winery
LDV has always prided itself on being more than just a winery. They showcase their ambition for the wine industry through their community work and the cultivation of the people around them. The owners respect the land upon which their winery stands by making sure that the soil is well nurtured to produce the best quality vineyards in the region. They believe that the mountain landscapes, coupled with the pristine water of the area will work together, with their vinification strategies, to produce wine that is authentic to Scottsdale.
LDV specialises in Grenache and Viognier. The wines produced at the LDV winery are grown from 100% estate-grown grapes which adds to the authenticity that the company is trying to establish through its products. The LDV wine tasting room is situated in the entertainment district in the city of Scottsdale as they attempt to bring a piece of the vineyard to the community which they serve. The location of the tasting room provides a metropolitan wine experience quite unlike any other.
Operating hours: 11 am – 8 pm
Open: Monday – Sunday
Salvatore Vineyards
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The prime motivational factor behind the opening of the Salvatore Vineyards was a true passion for the expansion of wine culture and industry in Arizona, from owners who believed in the potential of the land and the climate to produce the highest quality wines in the United States. Salvatore Vineyards carries through on this mission by producing wines of real quality and uniqueness to the region.
Salvatore Vineyards has a number of award-winning wines including their 2017 Fume Blanc, 104 Cerca, and 2015 Viognier. These wines have been described as bold and silky, creamy and tannic. The wines are crafted from grapes that are true to the region and which have been farmed with a love for the Arizonan soils. The Salvatore Vineyard’s tasting room is situated in the heart of the winery where patrons will sit amongst the barrels containing their favourite wines.
Operating hours: 12 pm – 10 pm
Open: Monday – Sunday
Vinum 55
The Vinum 55 winery, like other wineries in Scottsdale, chooses the urban setting over the traditional winery between the vineyards. The tasting room is situated in the middle of the Downtown Ocotillo Lifestyle Centre in Scottsdale, as the winemakers attempt to bring the wine country to the city. The Vinum 55 experience prides itself on being crafted by wine lovers, for wine lovers.
Vinum 55 specialises in Grenache and Merlot. They provide patrons with a comfortable wine tasting lounge whereby large groups can come and try out all the wines that Scottsdale has become so well known for.
Operating hours: 9 am – 4 pm
Open: Monday – Saturday
Carlson Creek Vineyards
Carlson Creek is as authentic as any of the wineries near Scottsdale AZ as you’ll ever see. They source all the grapes used for their boutique wines from their privately owned vineyard in Willcox. They pride themselves on their Arizonan roots by believing in the earth around them to produce wines of the highest quality. The estate is family owned and is a must-visit if you’re looking to explore the history of winemaking in the region.
Carlson Creek vineyards have been expanding ever since their inception and they currently have three different tasting rooms in Scottsdale, Old Town Cottonwood, and Willcox, allowing their wines to spill over into all of the wine-loving communities in Arizona. Their prized wines include the Odyssey, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache.
Operating hours: 12 pm – 8 pm
Open: Monday – Sunday
How Long is The Scottsdale Wine Trail?
The Scottsdale wine trail encompasses everything that a true wine lover would want to experience when exploring the wine history of a beautiful city. You’ll travel downtown Scottsdale to experience the culinary arts of the city, the entertainment district, and most importantly the gorgeous wines that the region prides itself on. There are 6 wineries along the trail including LDV Winery, Carlson Creek, and Salvatore Vineyards. This is undoubtedly the best way to experience everything that wineries near Scottsdale AZ have to offer, wine wise.