One of the leading locations in Arizona’s grape production, growing over 75% of the wine grapes and wine for the state, is surprisingly unknown to a majority of Arizonans. Willcox Wine Country not only boasts quality wines, but the allure of a charming town filled with the warmth of winemakers and locals.
Those visiting can stop among 14 tasting rooms, with several winery tours showcasing the locally grown and produced wines. If this isn’t enough to lure Phoenicians out of the Valley, a 10- to 20-degree temperature difference makes Willcox a great place for enjoying the outdoors, from hiking trails to U-Pick fruit and veggie farms and endless fun festivals. Temperatures range from the upper 80s to low 90s during the day and mid-50s and -60s at night.
Willcox Wine Country was recently granted AVA status (American Viticultural Area) by Fodor’s Travel, with Willcox taking a top 10 spot for North American wine festivals. At this year’s San Francisco Chronicle Annual Wine Competition, the largest competition of American Wine in the world, 65 of the 75 medals awarded to Arizona wineries listed their AVA as Willcox or Cochise County.
Located in Cochise country, in southeastern Arizona, Willcox Wine Country’s success is due in large part to the conditions of the area, with high elevation, warm days and cool nights. The soils are rich in alluvial and volcanic mixtures from surrounding mountains creating growing conditions similar to France, Italy and Spain. Monsoon season throughout summer and fall creates a unique twist to the growing season by providing well-drained soils, mixed with the high elevation to provide ideal conditions for grape growing.
Willcox Wine Country Partners
- Birds & Barrels Vineyards — 5000 E. Arzberger Road, Willcox
- Bodega Pierce — 4511 E. Robbs Road, Willcox
- Carlson Creek — 4574 E. Robbs Road, Willcox
- Coronado Vineyards — 2909 E. Country Club Drive, Willcox
- Golden Rule Vineyards — 3525 N. Golden Rule Road, Cochise
- Keeling Schaefer Vineyards — 154 N. Railroad Avenue, Willcox
- Pillsbury Wine Company — 6450 S. Bennett Place, Willcox
- Strive Vineyards — 180 N. Railroad Avenue, Willcox
- Zarpara Vineyards — 6777 S. Zarpara Lane, Willcox
Associate Willcox Wine Country Wineries
- 1764 Vineyards — 357 W. Treasure Road, Pearce
- Arizona Stronghold Vineyards — 4700 Old Highway 279, Camp Verde
- Caduceus Vineyards — 158 Main Street, Jerome
- Copper Horse Vineyard — 180 N. Railroad Avenue, Suite B, Willcox
- DA Vines Wines — 705 N. Main Street, Suite A, Cottonwood
- Page Springs Cellars — 1500 N. Page Springs Road, Cornville
- Soaring Wines — 6809 S. Lucky Lane, Willcox
- Vino Stache — 60 Lone Mesquite Court, Elgin
Upcoming Willcox Wine Country Events
- July 13 at 4 p.m. — Live music at Birds & Barrels Vineyards Tasting Room
- July 20 at 5 p.m. — Beat the Heat Block Party
- August 3 & 4 — Prescott Summer Fine Art & Wine Festival
- August 24 at 5 p.m. — Live music at Birds & Barrels Vineyards Tasting Room
- August 31 at 7 a.m. — 10th Annual Willcox Flyer Bike Ride
- September 21 at 5 p.m. — Live music at Birds & Barrels Vineyards Tasting Room
For more information on Willcox Wine Country visit willcoxwinecountry.org.
Photos courtesy Willcox Wine Country
