Arizona might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of viticulture in the US, but it was actually one of the first places where wine was produced in America.
The conditions can be challenging, but when done right, Arizona is capable of producing some excellent wines. Many of them come from the Sedona area, and if you plan to visit, here’s our guide to the best Sedona wineries so you’ll know exactly where to go while you’re there.
Best Wineries in Sedona, AZ
1. Winery 1912
Winery 1912 makes wines with grapes grown in the Dragoon Mountains Vineyard, the largest and most diverse in Arizona.
Jesuit priests first brought vinifera vines to what is now Arizona in the late 17th century, and some of the vines growing in these vineyards are descended from those original clones.
Winery 1912 continues this tradition by making Spanish-style wines grown from varietals from the Iberian Peninsula, species that tend to do best in the challenging but rewarding Arizona conditions.
If you want to sample some of the wines produced in the winery, you can drop by and order a flight of six, which will give you a good overview of the range of wines they make.
The winery also serves light bites such as cheese or olives that match perfectly well with the wines, which, combined with the friendly staff and the dramatic Arizona scenery, helps round off a perfect wine-tasting experience.
For an even livelier atmosphere, visit on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday since there’s live music on those days each week.
Reservations are not required since the winery accepts walk-ins.
Address: 320 AZ-89A #3, Sedona, AZ 86336
Telephone: 928-282-0715
Email: Contact via the website
Website: winery1912.com
2. Vino Zona
Although they don’t produce their own wines, the people at Vino Zona are passionate about the wines of the region, so this is a great place to head for an introduction to some of the excellent examples that are produced in this corner of Arizona.
The wines they serve are 100% locally grown and all come from small-batch productions, so you know you’re trying something unusual and a little bit special. The knowledgeable staff will also be there to answer any questions you have about what you’re drinking.
When you visit, you’ll be given a selection of wines to try, and they even give you a locally produced cider to taste too. The specific wines poured each day are rotated, so if you visit again, you’ll be given something different to sample.
This tasting room prides itself on creating a welcoming, intimate environment – and this is why they don’t have a phone.
No reservations are required or indeed possible since Vino Zona is walk-in only. The exception to this is for groups of over six, in which case you should email in advance to make sure they’ll be able to accommodate your party.
They have wines for sale by the bottle too, so you can take home one or two of your favorites when the tasting is over.
Address: 336 AZ-179 Suite A207, Sedona, AZ 86336
Telephone: No phone – to preserve the intimate, peaceful atmosphere of the venue!
Email: [email protected]
Website: vinozona.love
3. Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery
Oak Creek is a new winery that only opened its doors in 2020 – and was then promptly forced to close again after just three weeks due to covid. Fortunately, however, they are back up and running and ready to welcome guests again now the pandemic appears to be receding.
The winery prides itself on being family-friendly, so you’re welcome to visit with kids or furry friends. There’s a lot that’s still in the pipeline for the future, but they already offer a popular tasting experience that includes red, white or mixed flights.
As well as wine, they also provide food options like a cheese plate, a charcuterie plate, a hummus plate or a spinach and artichoke dip – in other words, just the kind of thing that tastes even more delicious with a glass of wine.
The location itself is cute and cozy, showcasing the local Arizona landscape and the views over the vineyards at their best, and the owners and staff are friendly and passionate about everything they do, making the winery a pleasure to visit.
If you like the wine they make, you can buy it by the bottle to take with you, and they also run a wine club, allowing you to sign up for two, four or six bottles of their wine per year. Check their website for further info.
Reservations are also possible through the website and are especially recommended for groups of more than six people.
Address: 1555 N Page Springs Rd, Cornville, AZ 86325
Telephone: 928-660-6935
Email: [email protected]
Website: oakcreekvineyards.net
4. Javelina Leap Vineyard, Winery & Bistro
Javelina Leap is a family-owned and run winery that processes around 44 tons of Arizona-grown grapes each year to produce around 2,600 cases of wine. Their barrel room is large enough to hold up to 1000 barrels of wine as it ages.
Visitors to the winery can sample the wines in flights of five, which can be selected from the menu according to taste. Wine is also available for purchase by the glass or by the bottle.
The winery also offers a selection of food, including charcuterie boards, baked pretzels with cheese dipping sauce or a choice of flatbread pizzas, all of which have been created by the winery’s chef to pair perfectly with the wines you are drinking.
Reservations are not required, and walk-ins are accepted. If you are interested in taking a tour of the facilities, it can also be arranged – you should contact the winery directly for more details.
Address: 1565 N Page Springs Rd, Cornville, AZ 86325
Telephone: 928-649-2681
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.javelinaleapwinery.com
5. Decanter Tasting Room
For visitors to the Sedona area – and even for locals – the Decanter Tasting Room is one that no wine aficionado should pass up on the chance to visit since it offers a unique experience unlike anywhere else.
They don’t specialize in Arizona wines – although you can taste them there. Rather, they feature different wines from around the world each month paired with gourmet food, so no two visits to the tasting room will ever be the same.
Alternatively, even if you don’t experience one of their featured flight tastings, the bar still has an exceptional wine list for you to choose a glass or a bottle from, which you can then enjoy with one of their gourmet platters.
For those who don’t drink wine, they offer a selection of American and international beers that can be ordered by the flight or by the pint.
Furthermore, the tasting room also organizes various events such as live music to make each visit even more memorable – check the website for specific dates for various performers.
Address: 7000 AZ-179 A-100, Sedona, AZ 86351
Telephone: 928-284-2134
Email: [email protected]
Website: decantertastingroom.com
6. Alcantara Vineyards and Winery
Alcantara Vineyards and Winery is a family-run operation that has been growing grapes and producing fantastic Arizona wines since 2004.
The location boasts exquisite scenery and a calm, peaceful environment that is perfect for appreciating good food and great wine.
The grounds comprise 20,000 vines growing 17 different varietals, and you can taste the wines produced there by ordering a flight of four wines of your choice.
To accompany the wine, they serve a range of food, from cheese or hummus platters to sandwiches and some highly creative pizzas.
The winery also organizes a range of intriguing activities such as paddleboard yoga or kayaking and wine (the wine comes after the kayaking is finished!), and they also have music out on the patio most days – check the website for full details.
Finally, the winery is also available for hosting weddings, providing a beautifully romantic backdrop for your big day – again, check the website for more information.
Address: 3445 S Grapevine Way, Camp Verde, AZ 86322
Telephone: 928-649-8463
Email: [email protected]
Website: alcantaravineyard.com
7. Page Springs Cellars
Set in some of the most attractive surroundings of all the wineries in the Sedona Area, Page Springs Cellars offers the chance to sample their excellent wines by the flight or simply to enjoy wine by the glass or the bottle outside in the winery’s expansive grounds.
They also serve food, and their gourmet bistro menu includes appealing items such as assorted tapas, creative salads, luxurious cheeseboards and brick-fired pizzas. In addition, they also have a picnic menu that allows you to order food to take away and eat outside.
The winery is open every day, but weekends can get busy, so for a more peaceful and intimate vibe, try to visit during the week. However, that said, they have live music on Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursdays, so the atmosphere at this winery is never boring.
For those wanting to learn a bit more about the winery, they organize tours of the facilities – check the website for the different options – and there’s also a yoga and massage package for anyone looking for peace and relaxation.
Address: 1500 N Page Springs Rd, Cornville, AZ 86325
Telephone: 928-639-3004
Email: [email protected]
Website: pagespringscellars.com
8. The Art of Wine
For a wine-tasting journey to remember, The Art of Wine tasting room more than merits a detour for any self-respecting wine enthusiast in the Sedona area.
They don’t make their own wines, but they have a wide range of Arizona, US and international wines for you to taste by the flight or by the glass – and they have an even more extensive collection of bottles for sale.
You can choose a white and rosé flight or a red flight of Arizona wines to sample the best the state has to offer, or you can opt for one of the international flights to taste some of the wines being made abroad.
For something different, they also offer a mead flight, and there’s an impressive selection of beers too.
If you want something to eat while you sample your wine, mead or beer, they serve food such as charcuterie, hummus or dried fruit and crackers, and there’s a lovely patio outside where you can sit and savor it all as you soak up the fine Arizona weather.
Address: 101 AZ-89A b9, Sedona, AZ 86336
Telephone: 928-203-9463
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.artofwinesedona.com
9. Made In Arizona Wine and Gifts
Not technically a winery but rather a wine and gift shop. However, they have a wide selection of local wines to purchase and also offer flights of wine to sample – and you even get to keep the glass as a souvenir after.
That means this is a great place to know about if you’re in the area and you want to find out more about the local wines.
Once there, you can choose a few bottles to take away with you – and they also have a wide selection of wine-related gifts and other locally-made products such as honey, pottery, jewelry and art, all of which makes it a place that’s worth checking out.
Address: 235 AZ-89A #10, Sedona, AZ 86336
Telephone: 928-282-0707
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.facebook.com/MadeinArizonaWineandGift
10. Vino di Sedona
Another fun place in Sedona for tasting wines that’s not really a winery but is still worth a mention is Vino di Sedona wine bar.
They have a wide range of wines, both local and from further afield, and you can choose from 100 bottles or 50 wines available by the glass.
You can also enjoy flights of wine – also chosen from 50 options – and on Saturdays, they host special events with representatives from local wineries or other similar organizations, something that’s worth attending if you can.
There’s also an impressive selection of beers, and they serve tasty bar meals too, so nobody will go hungry or thirsty.
In addition, there’s live music every day, so this is a place that never lacks a bit of atmosphere, all of which is why we think it deserves a place on our list.
Address: 2575 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
Telephone: 928-554-4682
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.vinodisedona.com
No shortage of places to taste great wine
So as you can see, there’s no shortage of places to taste great wine in Sedona, whether it’s at a large winery surrounded by acres of vines or in a trendy wine bar. In fact, the hardest part will probably be deciding which one to visit first.
