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A Toast to Phoenix: Your Ultimate Wine Tasting Guide in the Desert Capital
Ah, the art of swirling, sniffing, and sipping – wine tasting is like a sophisticated dance for the taste buds! As a self-proclaimed wine enthusiast, diving into Phoenix’s wine scene is like embarking on a delicious adventure.
From swirling reds that make you feel like a sommelier to sipping whites that transport you to vineyards afar, Phoenix offers a bouquet of experiences for wine lovers. So, grab your glass and let’s uncork the ultimate guide to wine tasting in Phoenix!
1. GenuWine Arizona
Address: 888 N 1st Ave #101, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Website: https://genuwinearizona.com/
Contact Details: +1 602-682-7494, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday: 11 AM–10 PM
- Tuesday: 11 AM–10 PM
- Wednesday: 11 AM–10 PM
- Thursday: 11 AM–10 PM
- Friday: 11 AM–11 PM
- Saturday: 11 AM–11 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM–9 PM
GenuWine Arizona is one of Downtown Phoenix’s premier wine tasting spots. It offers a unique self-serve experience that lets visitors explore Arizona’s diverse wine offerings at their own pace.
With a selection of 24 distinct wines available in tastes, half glasses, or full glasses, patrons can savor local flavors tailored to their preferences. To complement this, guests can customize cheese boards and choose from a variety of small plate options.
What sets GenuWine Arizona apart is its dual role as a wine bar and bottle shop. This allows visitors to not only enjoy wines on-site but also purchase bottles of their favorite selections to take home.
The concept behind this establishment originated from the friendship between two former middle-school teachers, Emily Rieve and Lindsey Schoenemann. Their transformative trip to France sparked the creation of this wine tasting spot.
| Pro tip: You may consider joining their wine club if you’re a frequent visitor. It often comes with perks like discounts on purchases, exclusive tastings, and invitations to members-only events. |
2. Garage-East
Address: 3000 E Ray Rd #7, Gilbert, AZ 85296
Website: https://www.garage-east.com/
Contact Details: +1 480-493-7151, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday: 11 AM–9 PM
- Tuesday: 11 AM–9 PM
- Wednesday: 11 AM–9 PM
- Thursday: 11 AM–9 PM
- Friday: 11 AM–11 PM
- Saturday: 11 AM–11 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM–9 PM
Garage-East is a collaboration between Dos Cabezas WineWorks and Brian and Megan Ruffentine, offering a unique urban winery experience. Their tasting room offers the opportunity to bottle or can wines for takeaway, complemented by a curated menu.
Garage-East is set in a cozy backyard atmosphere. They artfully craft a diverse range of wines, sourcing grapes from Southern Arizona’s Sonoita and Wilcox regions.
Here, you can enjoy six pours from their rotating menu. This includes favorites like tempranillo, pinot gris, primitivo, and the popular Breakfast Wine featuring non-vintage white wine and fresh fruit juice.
You can pair your wine tasting experience with a local meat and cheese board or delicious desserts from Tracy Dempsey Originals. Another option is to bring in food from neighboring Barnone merchants.
| Pro tip: Garage-East’s cozy backyard setting is perfect for unwinding and enjoying your wine. Take your time, soak in the atmosphere, and savor each sip. |
3. Carlson Creek Vineyard
Address: 4142 N Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Website: https://www.carlsoncreek.com/
Contact Details: +1 480-947-0636, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday-Sunday: 12–8 PM
Nestled in Old Town Scottsdale’s vibrant arts and entertainment district, Carlson Creek’s tasting room offers an inviting atmosphere. It features a 20-foot distressed copper bar, barrel stave art installations, and art deco tin ceiling.
Here, guests can enjoy a diverse selection of rotating wines while indulging in artisanal cheese boards. Some of their curated assortments are cheese, meats, olives, nuts, and dried fruits.
Carlson Creek curates a calendar of events, including Wine Tasting 101 courses, wine and food pairings, and holiday tastings. They also have exclusive gatherings for wine club members, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience for all patrons.
This family-run winery not only sells fruit from its southern Arizona vineyard but also keeps an ample supply to fill its predominantly single-varietal inventory. These include favorites like Sweet Adeline and the Rule of Three Rhone blend.
| Pro tip: If you’re visiting with a group, make a reservation in advance to ensure you have a spot, especially during peak hours or busy weekends. |
4. Merkin Vineyards
Address: 7133 E Stetson Dr Suite 105, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Website: http://www.merkinvineyards.org/
Contact Details: +1 480-912-1027
Operating Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 11 AM–9 PM, Friday & Saturday: 11 AM–11 PM
Merkin Vineyards is a dynamic winery founded by rock icon Maynard James Keenan. Here, Old World winemaking meets innovative techniques, resulting in a diverse wine selection that challenges conventions.
The tasting room invites exploration with its ever-evolving lineup of wines, from bold red blends to experimental varietals. Merkin Vineyards boasts a rock-and-roll ambiance, adding an exciting twist to the wine tasting experience.
Fans of Maynard James Keenan’s music will delight in tasting his award-winning wines at this Scottsdale location. While there are no flights, guests can enjoy 2-ounce pours of Merkin Vineyards and Caduceus Vineyards wines at reasonable prices.
Don’t miss the opportunity to try unique wines like Chupacabra Bubbles, Shinola Orancia, and Tarzan red. You can pair these with delectable small plates from an elevated tasting-room menu.
Merkin Vineyards emphasizes regional, sustainable, and local practices. They craft high-elevation Spanish, French, and Italian varieties in their underground facility, The Bunker.
| Pro tip: If available, take a tour of The Bunker, their underground facility where they produce their high-elevation wines. It’s a unique experience. |
5. Sauvage Wine Bar and Shop
Media: foodiehand
Address: 149 W McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Website: https://www.sauvagephx.com/
Contact Details: +1 602-357-9436, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 4–10 PM
- Wednesday: 4–10 PM
- Thursday: 4–10 PM
- Friday: 4 PM–12 AM
- Saturday: 12 PM–12 AM
- Sunday: 12–10 PM
At Sauvage Wine Bar and Shop, the focus is on the essence of natural wine. It offers a unique exploration into over 200 unfiltered, low-intervention wines sourced from small producers.
The venue, located in the historic Helen Anderson House, provides not just a wine-tasting experience. It also features rotating chef events, live music on weekends, and the convenience of in-store pickup.
Its menu of natural wines is complemented by spirits like vermouth and amaro. Along with these, there are also small-plate offerings ranging from cheese and charcuterie to delightful specials like crudo and burrata.
Owner Chris Lingua’s has a passion for natural wines. It shines through as he engages customers in conversations about production methods, helping them navigate the unique flavors of these wines.
| Pro tip: Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations or try wines from lesser-known regions. Sauvage’s collection is curated to showcase unique and interesting flavors. |
6. Sorso Wine Room
Media: eatswithevey
Address: 15323 N Scottsdale Rd #150, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Website: https://sorsowineroom.com/
Contact Details: +1 480-951-4344, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday: 11 AM–10 PM, Saturday & Sunday: 10 AM–10 PM
Sorso Wine Room boasts a rotating selection of 32 national and international labels available in various serving sizes. From sips to full glasses, their diverse glass list offers options for every palate and budget, ranging from $10 to $40.
You can indulge in their culinary offerings that perfectly complement your wine choices. These include build-your-own flatbreads, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, and charcuterie boards adorned with cheeses, meats, and accompaniments like fig jam.
True to its name, which means “sip” in Italian, Sorso Wine Room invites guests to explore a wide range of beverages beyond wine, including bubbles, beer, and cocktails. It has daily specials like lunch deals for $12 and Happy Hour from Monday to Friday.
The journey to Sorso Wine Room began in March 2014. That was when owners Mark and Lauren Teahen transitioned from a life in Major League Baseball to pursue their passion for wine and hospitality.
| Pro tip: You may consider opting for the wine flights. They offer a great way to sample different labels and discover new favorites without committing to a full glass. |
7. Aridus Wine Company Tasting Room
Address: 7173 E Main St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Website: https://www.ariduswineco.com/
Contact Details: +1 520-954-2676, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Sunday-Tuesday: 12–6 PM, Wednesday-Saturday: 12–8 PM
The Aridus Wine Company offers a unique blend of ambiance and award-winning wines. Situated in a former art gallery, it now showcases Aridus’ commitment to sustainability and aesthetics with its caged chandeliers and high-top leather chairs.
Visitors can sample a range of wines crafted from grapes sourced from New Mexico, California, and Aridus’ own 40-acre vineyard in Pearce, Arizona. Notable selections include the garnacha rose, Tank 19 blend, and Montepulciano.
For just $10, guests can enjoy tastes of five wines and pair them with charcuterie boxes, perfect for sharing or indulging solo. Aridus’ Scottsdale location echoes their other venues, continuing the theme of repurposing natural and reclaimed materials.
This commitment to sustainability aligns with their winemaking philosophy, resulting in balanced and complex wines that delight the palate. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or a casual sipper, it promises a memorable and enjoyable experience.
| Pro tip: Try their signature Tank 19 blend—it’s a delightful mix of Chardonnay and Malvasia Bianca that showcases Aridus’ winemaking expertise. |
8. LDV Winery
Address: 7134 E Stetson Dr B110, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Website: https://ldvwinery.com/
Contact Details: +1 480-664-4822, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday: 12–8 PM
- Tuesday: 12–8 PM
- Wednesday: 12–8 PM
- Thursday: 12–8 PM
- Friday: 12–9 PM
- Saturday: 12–9 PM
- Sunday: 12–7 PM
LDV Winery is renowned for its specialization in Rhone single-varietals like Viognier, Grenache, Syrah, and Petite Sirah. Guests can select from three distinct flight options, each showcasing three to five wines crafted from LDV’s estate-grown grapes.
For a quintessential LDV experience, you can start with their Signature Petite Sirah, the vibrant Sky Island Viognier, and the rich estate-grown Syrah. You can also indulge in their thoughtfully curated cheese boards, chocolates, and other accompaniments.
Owners Peggy Fiandaca and Curt Dunham carefully selected their vineyard site in the Chiricahua Mountain foothills of Southern Arizona. They have a deep commitment to producing wines that honor and reflect the unique terroir of the land.
This dedication to sustainability and respect for the environment is evident in LDV’s focus on sustainably grown and produced wines. They emphasize Rhône varieties that thrive in Arizona’s diverse climate.
As you step into LDV’s tasting room, you’ll be greeted by an ambiance that seamlessly blends wine country charm with urban sophistication. It features wine barrels lining the walls and spacious outdoor patio, creating the perfect setting for wine tasting.
| Pro tip: You may consider booking a private tasting if you’re with a group or celebrating a special occasion. It’s a great way to have a more personalized experience and learn about LDV’s winemaking process in depth. |
9. Salvatore Vineyards Tasting Room
Address: 7064 E 5th Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Website: https://www.passioncellars.com/
Contact Details: +1 480-423-2901, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 12–8 PM, Friday & Saturday: 11 AM–10 PM
Salvatore Vineyards Tasting Roomstands out for its fruit-forward whites and robust reds sourced from their Willcox vineyard. Here, guests are greeted by a welcoming ambiance centered around a long bar, perfect for enjoying wine and engaging conversations.
There are two distinct flight options that await wine enthusiasts. The Salvatore flight, offering reserve wines like Viognier and Cera, and the Passion flight, showcasing more casual selections such as sangiovese rose and grenache blanc.
You can accompany your tasting experience with a three-cheese board or a charcuterie board, both thoughtfully paired with crackers and assorted accompaniments. Salvatore’s commitment to showcasing Arizona-made wines shines through their diverse menu.
The tasting room’s layout encourages a leisurely pace. It allows guests to savor each pour and appreciate the craftsmanship behind Salvatore and Passion Cellar labels.
| Pro tip: Since the tasting room is in Scottsdale, you can take some time to explore the nearby attractions like art galleries or local eateries after your tasting experience. |
10. Su Vino Winery
Address: 16099 N 82nd St Suite B9, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Website: https://suvinowinery.com/
Contact Details: +1 480-994-8466, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday: 9 AM–3 PM, Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Su Vino Winery focuses on personalized experiences and artisanal craftsmanship. They not only showcase their own varietals and blends, including Malbec and Pinot Grigio but also offer the opportunity to create custom wines tailored to individual preferences.
They have a diverse selection of wines. These range from traditional whites and reds like pinot grigio and pinot noir to inventive creations such as the fruit-infused Ruby and Blue Breeze pinot noir and the delightful Peachy Keen chardonnay.
Visitors can enjoy a tasting experience with five samples for $10 or opt for the reserve flight with five premium selections for $15. Complementing the wines are delicious food options like the antipasto plate, warm Brie plate, and decadent chocolate truffles.
Su Vino Winery’s commitment to quality and innovation shines through in every aspect. From their carefully curated wine list to the welcoming atmosphere of their tasting room, it offers unique and memorable tasting experiences.
| Pro tip: Don’t miss the chance to create your custom wine blend. It’s a unique opportunity to bottle your own creation, and the staff is super helpful in guiding you through the process. |
