Sunset Wine Tastings at Carefree Station

There are few things more romantic than the addition of tasty wine to an Arizona sunset, and we think we found the perfect event to jumpstart Valentine’s Day weekend. Reserve your spot for a lovely sunset, a delicious spread and sustainable wine (that’s quite a amorous combo!) at Carefree Station’s Meet the Winemaker event Saturday, Feb. 13, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Throughout the evening, guests at the sunset wine tastings will enjoy vino from one of Santa Cruz Mountains’ American Viticultural Areas (AVA), Vine Hill Winery, plus perfectly paired cuisine by Carefree Station’s Executive Chef, Thomas Nasworthy. Vine Hill’s Winemaker, Sal Godinaz, will be on hand to provide his expertise, discuss Vine Hill’s sustainable growing practices and autograph bottles.
Taking place at Carefree Station’s rooftop bar, BevHeaven, a stunning sunset will be the perfect backdrop to sample Vine Hill’s vineyard designations as well as other California wine appellations. For $35 per person, six wines from Vine Hill’s limited production and artisan labels will be sampled, along with hors d’oeuvre selections from Carefree Station’s menu. The wines will also be available for purchase, signed or otherwise (perhaps a Valentine’s Day gift?)
The featured Vine Hill wines during the sunset wine tasting will include:
• 2008 Vine Hill Clements Ridge Chardonnay
• 2008 Vine Hill Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay
• 2007 Vine Hill Santa Cruz Mountain Pinot Noir (Gold Medal, San Francisco Chronicle 2010 wine competition)
• 2006 Cumbre Santa Cruz Mountain Pinot Noir (92 points, Wine Enthusiast)
• 2006 Cumbre Raffaelli Vineyard Pinot Noir (93 points, Wine Enthusiast)
• 2006 Cumbre Hicks Family Vineyard Pinot Noir (94 points, Wine Enthusiast)
Carefree Station is located at Tom Darlington and Cave Creek Roads, 7212 Ho Hum Rd., Carefree. 480.488.8182, www.carefreestation.com.
About Vine Hill:
A small production winery, Vine Hill is located in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains within the historic Vine Hill District. The winery is dedicated to carrying on the tradition of creating outstanding artisan wines while supporting and using sustainable vineyard and winery practices. The winery produces several vineyards: Vine Hill (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah), Cumbre (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), and Gatos Locos (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah).
About Vine Hill’s Cumbre Wines:
The Cumbre wines are unique, artisan wines crafted from free-run juice, with French oak tannins accenting this incredibly well balanced fruit of the Santa Cruz Mountains. They are limited to an annual production of no more than 200 cases per release. Vine Hill is a limited-production wine, ranging from 500 to 1,000 cases per year.