Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce
Lana Tolleson
1111 Thatcher Blvd.
Safford, Arizona 85546
E-Mail: info@cottonwoodchamberaz.org
Web- Site: www.vvwinetrail.com
Phone: 928-634-7593
LOCATION
The Verde Valley is located in North-central, Arizona, about 100 miles north of Phoenix. It is 35-miles long and 714 square miles. It is comprised of the towns of Cottonwood, Jerome, Sedona, Clarkdale, Cornville, and Camp Verde. Verde Valley was cut by water over 15-20 million years. It is rich with culture, art, and recreational activities. The area is unsurpassed in its variety of physical beauty with the red rocks and Mogollon Rim to the north and east and the Black Hills and Mingus Mountain dominating the western and southern portions of the valley.
WINE IN THE VERDE VALLEY?
Verde Valley as a wine region comes to the surprise of many people, but the Verde Valley is very comparable to many of the great wine growing regions throughout the world! For millions of years the Verde Valley has gone through transformations that have given its soil the right conditions to grow great grapes. The Verde Valley was originally a slate of sedimentary rock layered with volcanic intrusions. The intrusions blocked the Verde River at times creating lakes that added calcareous marine sediment to the landscape. The alkaline sediments combined with nutrients and minerals that were washed down from higher ground by the river have created ideal soil for grapes.
Grapes like a stressful life, they do the best in a rocky, inhospitable landscape. The more they have to fight, the more concentrated their juice is. You may not get the quantity that you would if you planted on fertile farmland but the quality is much better and that is what winegrowers strive for to make great wine.
The elevation and climate also contribute to the success of growing grapes. The Verde Valley is at the same elevation as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Iran, places where grapes were first domesticated and the first wine was made. The elevation is between 3,800 ft. and 5,000 ft. combined with the right latitude provides an optimal climate for growing grapes. It is hot during the day and cool at night which stresses the grapes. The heat is required for sugar production and the cool nights are important for acid retention. Without the dramatic change in temperature the grapes will not develop the complexity and character that is found in the Verde Valley vineyards.
WINE AS A SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRY
The wine industry in the Verde Valley hits on all three points of sustainability: Economically Viable, Socially Responsible, and Environmentally Sound. Wine regions across the world have proved that they can attribute to the sustainability of their communities. Economically, vineyards provide jobs, income from the selling of their wine, they create employment opportunity, preserve the region’s agricultural heritage, and the wineries bring tourism into the region.
The wine industry is an environmentally friendly industry. All of the Verde Valley wineries use organic techniques in their wine making practices. Very importantly, there are no petro-chemicals used by any of the wineries in the wine production process. Grapes are an ecologically sound crop using 1/10th of the water per acre that cotton or other row crops consume. Grape vines also use land that might otherwise be economically unusable and the vineyards are an aesthetically pleasing enhancement to the landscape.
WINE CYCLE
Harvest usually takes place between the 3rd week of August and the end of October. Winemaking coincides with harvest and ageing is varied depending on the wine. The lightest blush wine may be in stainless steel for 6 months before release and the biggest red for up to 24 months in oak casks. On average, wines see 10-12 months in barrel and a minimum of two months in bottle before release.
ELEVATION
The Verde Valley is between 3,800 ft. and 5,000 feet above sea level.
POPULATION
The Verde Valley’s population is 37,210 people.
Camp Verde: 11,230
Clarkdale: 3,715
Cottonwood: 10,925
Jerome: 330
Sedona: 11,010
CLIMATE
|
Highs |
Lows |
Rain |
Spring |
79 |
39 |
.77 |
Summer |
97 |
58 |
1.28 |
Fall |
75 |
37 |
1.1 |
Winter |
63 |
28 |
1.13 |
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
The Verde Valley has a number of state parks and open spaces that are used for recreational activities. Hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, picnicking, canoeing, birding, ATV, and horseback riding are all possible in the Verde Valley. With over 8 different wilderness areas to choose from the Verde Valley is a very easy place to go and enjoy the outdoors and beautiful scenery.
ART & CULTURE
Art and Culture are abundant though the small communities of the Verde Valley. With many galleries and artists in the region it is a hub for all types of art. The cultural influence of Native Americans can be seen throughout the Verde Valley. The region is also home to many art walks, art festivals, craft shows, and the Sedona Film Festival. Respected historians have said that no other area anywhere has a more convincing precedent for the creation and prospering of an art industry than Sedona and the Verde Valley
MOTELS/LODGING
The Verde Valley has all types of accommodations, with motels, hotels, and Bed & Breakfast. Come and stay awhile and enjoy all we have to offer.
ANNUAL TOURIST VISITATION
3,230,577
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
The Verde Valley has a variety of local attractions. The Verde Canyon Railroad runs year round and has a grape train escape during the summer months that serves local wines. The Blazin’ M Ranch gives visitors an authentic experience with a chuckwagon style dinner and show. Out of Africa gives visitors the experience of a African Saffari but here in Arizona!
The Verde Valley is also full of Ancient Ruins that people can visit and see ancient dwellings, pueblos, and petroglyphs. The Tuzigoot National Monument and Monetezuma Castle National Monument are two of the most famous ancient ruin sites in the Verde Valley.
A variety of museums are also scattered throughout the region. Visit a ghost town in Jerome, or the first jail in cottonwood. All will let you relive the history and culture of the region.
DISTANCES TO THE VERDE VALLEY
Distance To Verde Valley |
||
|
Miles |
Kilometers |
Flagstaff |
77.7 |
125 |
Phoenix |
103 |
165.8 |
Distance from Cottonwood |
||
|
Miles |
Kilometers |
Alcantara Vineyard & Winery |
6.6 |
10.6 |
Caduceus Tasting Room |
9.5 |
15.3 |
Jerome Winery |
9.6 |
15.4 |
Javelina Leap Vineyard & Winery |
11.4 |
18.3 |
Oak Creek Vineyard & Winery |
11.5 |
18.5 |
Page Springs Vineyard & Winery |
11.8 |
19 |
WINERIES
Page Springs Vineyards & Cellars- For a complete fact sheet click here
Founded: in 2004
Acres: Estate Vineyards is 4 acres, partner on 110 acres in Willcox
Grapes planted on Estate Vineyard: Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, Grenache and Cabernet Pfeffer
Cases Produced Annually: 5,000 cases
Owner Bio: Eric Glomski is the Director of Winemaking and the owner of the company – backed by his father, mother, brother and step-father. Eric was born in Chicago, raised in Boston and moved to Arizona in his late teens to attend Prescott College in Arizona. Prior to getting into winemaking, Eric worked as an ecologist and environmental consultant specializing in river restoration. He worked in the California wine industry for several years, most notably as co-winemaker at David Bruce Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. He founded Page Springs Cellars in 2004 and currently directs winegrowing and sales and marketing.
Contact:
Eric Glomski, owner and director of winemaking
1500 North Page Springs Road
Cornville, AZ 86325
Phone:(928)639-3004
www.pagespringscellars.com
Oak Creek Vineyards- For a complete fact sheet click here
Founded: 2002
Grapes planted: Chardonnay, Fume Blanc, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel
Cases Produced Annually: 1,000
Owner Bio: Deb Wahl has spent the last 30 years emerged in the wine industry. She spent the beginning of her career as a wine broker. Having a passion for wine the next logical step for Deb was to buy a vineyard of her own. She purchased the vineyard that is now Oak Creek Vineyards in 2002. Deb enjoys the hands on aspect of the wine industry everything from farming, to bottling, to paring wines with food, she does it all! Out of this enthusiasm she created Deb Wahl a Chef and Sommelier Catering located in Santa Barbra, California.
Contact:
Deb Wahl, Owner
1555 Page Springs Rd.
Cornville, Arizona 86325
Phone: (928) 649-0290
www.oakcreekvineyards.net
Jerome Winery- For a complete fact sheet click here
Founded: 2001
Acres: 320
Grapes Grown: 45 varieties
Owner Bio: Owner John McLoughlin may pour you a glass of robust Syrah (one of his best sellers) or tangy Zin, and regale you with tales about Jerome's sordid past - ask him the one about the priest who had a shoe fetish. He's full of stories, and his winery is full of surprises. he works the vines, which are located in Southern Arizona, himself, (he has the farmer's tan to prove it), and he makes the trip to Jerome just about every weekend to personally sell his product - and perhaps sell you on a story or two". La Patrona, (John's mom) and his sister Melanie can be found behind the copper counter pouring and telling stories of their own. Jerome has no shortage of interesting tales as well as interesting characters
Contact:
Tony
403 Clark St.
Jerome, AZ 86331
Phone: (480) 988-5100
www.jeromewinery.com
Javelina Leap Vineyards & Winery- For a complete fact sheet click here
Founded: 2005
Acres: 4 acres
Principal Wines: merlot, cabernet, syrah, zinfandel
Owner Bio: Rod Snapp was in Marketing, in the record industry in LA, then he sold newspaper ads, and helped to publish Lake Powell Magazine. He has also done a variety of jobs in the hospitality industry including bartending, chef, and a B&B Proprietor. Rod spent is spare time traveling through wine country. In 2000, he started working for a local Arizona winery, and offered his time there for free. He learned the business from planting, harvesting, blending, and botteling. In 2004 he decided it was time to venture out on his own and he bought the 4 acres on Page Springs Rd. and has never looked back since. Rob is also the Vice President of the Arizona Wine Growers Association.
Contact:
Rod Snapp
1565 Page Springs Rd.
Cornville, Arizona 86325
Phone: (928)649-2681
www.javelinaleapwinery.com
Caduceus Cellars
Founded: 2004
Owner Bio: Maynard Keenan, lead singer of Tool, and owner of Caduceus Cellars & Merkin Vineyards has called Arizona home since 1995, and here is where his wine adventure started! One day while sipping some fine wine on his patio in the hills of Jerome, Arizona, he realized that the climate in the area was similar to the climates where some of his favorite wines were produced. Why not grow a vineyard here? When asked about the type of wine he intended to grow, he answered, “My art and music has been described as ‘thick, dense, rich complex, engaging, emotional, and spiritual,’ by those who are fans. And an ‘acquired taste’ for those kind others who are not. “He felt that Arizona aligned with this description and that they were a match made in heaven. “Surely these qualities will be reflected in the wine that Arizona will present to us." The first Caduceus wine under this label became available to purchase in 2004.
Contact:
Paula Woolsey, National Sales Manager
158 Main Street
Jerome, AZ 86331
Phone: (928) 634-3444
www.caduceus.org
Alcantara Vineyards & Winery
Founded: 2004
Acres: 87, with 10 acres currently planted
Grapes planted: 12 different varietals
Owner Bio: Alcantara is a dream venture created by Barbara Predmore, the owner and proprietor. Barbara, and her husband, Bob, started the vineyard to provide their family and partners the opportunity to live the dream of working and developing a vineyard community and winery, making wines that are comparable to the best of California and Europe. The Alcantara Vineyard dates even before 2004, when Barbara Predmore and her husband Bob defined the Verde Valley property as the optimal location for Barbara’s dream of a world-class wine production location. Barbara had spent four years with research and diligence using the best consultants from University of Arizona and UC Davis with support from her family connection at the noted Martin-Weyrich Vineyards in Central California.
Contact:
Barbara Predmore, owner
3445 South Grapevine Way
Verde Valley, AZ
Phone: (928) 649-8463
www.alcantaravineyard.com