Page 59 - DreamScapes Magazine | Spring/Summer 2023

INSIDER TIP
All wined out? Head to the state’s oldest watering hole, The Palace Saloon, located on Whisky Row in nearby Prescott. Order American whisky, rye or bourbon, straight up.
ARIZONA’S “NAPA VALLEY”
We base ourselves in Cottonwood, a walk- able city of 12,000 that has an undeniably western vibe with its false-front buildings and history as a copper mining centre. Nowadays, tourists are downing wine rather than whisky—the surrounding valley, often touted as an up-and-coming Napa, has another 18 wineries and tasting rooms spread from Sedona to Jerome.
After Pillsbury, we head across the street to Arizona Stronghold. In the cosy space, with comfy couches and south- western art, I try a white flight that includes a buttery Viognier, barrel- fermented Chardonnay, and new-to-me Vidal Blanc, a chameleon grape that grows well in a desert climate.
Last, we hit Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room & Osteria, owned by rocker-turned- winemaker Maynard Keenan of Tool fame. I love how his Chupacabra, a juicy red blend, pairs with the Arizona grass-fed beef taglione.
GRAPE EDUCATION AT THE SOUTHWEST WINE CENTER It’s never too early to wine taste on a girl- friend getaway, so we pull into Chateau Tumbleweed in nearby Clarkdale before noon the next day. Co-owner Kris Pothier joins us for a tasting of their deluxe flight that features a Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre, a full-bodied Spanish grape I’d never heard of before.
“Because we’re such a young industry here, we’ve planted many grape varietals to see what grows best,” Pothier explains. Arizona has only been tending vines in
modern times since 1982, so there isn’t yet a defining grape.
This revelation becomes apparent at the Southwest Wine Center at Yavapai College. The facility offers programs in enology and viticulture, in addition to public wine tast- ings that showcase what’s being grown on the adjacent five hectares of vineyard.
“Arizona wine is not just one thing,” says Michael Pierce, the centre’s viticulture and enology director, inside the bright tasting room. “We planted what we wanted. In some cases it worked, like with the Viog- nier. Other grapes, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, didn’t fare so well,” he says.
FROM COPPER MINING
TO WINEMAKING
This experimental winemaking spirit extends up Cleopatra Hill to Jerome, a former copper mining town perched at 1,524 metres with an expansive view over the Verde Valley. Jerome turned into a ghost town after the copper boom went bust, but is now revitalized thanks to its location, historic buildings, and a number of wine tasting rooms including Caduceus Cellars, also owned by Tool frontman Keenan.
Inside the brick building we try four reds: three blends and a spicy Tempranillo. On the tasting menu, each wine is paired with a suggested playlist (evidently, the Tempranillo tastes best while listening to ’80s pop rock band, Tears for Fears).
After a couple days of wine edification— and more than a few glasses of Mourvèdre— I have a new go-to red and a growing appreciation for Arizona’s fermented grapes. DS
TRAVEL PLANNER
For more Cottonwood, Arizona, travel information see visitcottonwoodaz.org
SPRING/SUMMER 2023 DREAMSCAPES 59
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PHOTOS: FRIENDS OF THE VERDE RIVER | VISIT COTTONWOOD | @ JEREMIAH SCHEFFER | LISA KADANE