Itineraries
Southern Arizona · 3 days
Southern Arizona Wine Trail
Three slow days through Sonoita, Elgin and Willcox — Arizona's high-desert wine country, where 5,000-ft grasslands produce surprisingly serious reds.
- 1Day 1
Sonoita & Elgin — the founding vineyards
- • Morning: Drive from Tucson down AZ-83 through rolling oak-studded grasslands (about 1 hour).
- • Lunch at The Copper Brothel Brewery in Sonoita.
- • Callaghan Vineyards — try the award-winning Padres red blend.
- • Dos Cabezas WineWorks in Sonoita village for crisp whites on the patio.
- • Sunset at Lightning Ridge Cellars (Italian varietals, panoramic views).
- • Overnight at The Sonoita Inn or a casita on a working vineyard.
- 2Day 2
Willcox — Arizona's biggest wine region
- • Drive east on I-10 to Willcox (about 1.5 hours).
- • Coronado Vineyards — start at the tasting room near the freeway.
- • Pillsbury Wine Company tasting room on Railroad Avenue in downtown Willcox.
- • Lunch at Big Tex BBQ.
- • Bodega Pierce / Saeculum Cellars — small-production Rhône-style reds.
- • Carlson Creek Vineyard for a barn-style tasting room and a Mourvèdre flight.
- • Stargaze at Chiricahua National Monument-edge skies; stay in Willcox.
- 3Day 3
Patagonia & the slow road home
- • Backtrack via AZ-82 through Patagonia, one of Arizona's prettiest small towns.
- • Breakfast at Gathering Grounds.
- • Birding walk at Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve (Nature Conservancy).
- • Lunch and a final tasting at Rune Wines (all biodynamic, picnic-style).
- • Return to Tucson by late afternoon.