Located in the heart of the 526,000-acre Willcox American Viticultural Area, Wilcox’s proximity to wine producers, outdoor activities, and unique attractions make it an ideal spot to launch an Arizona adventure. Anyone looking to get a taste of the Sonoran Desert landscape should stop by the Chiricahua National Monument. Here travelers will encounter 12,000 acres of pristine desert wilderness, complete with miles of hiking trails, rock formations, and a diverse collection of wildlife. Every visitor to Wilcox should visit the Rex Allen Museum, which highlights the career of the homegrown rodeo, radio, movie, and television star Rex Allen.
The Willcox Wine Country Spring Festival is ramping up for another can’t miss showcase of Wilcox area wine producers, and it will take place May 19-20 at Railroad Avenue Park. This year's edition includes the wine festival during the day (May, 19-20, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm) and a benefit wine dinner (May, 19, 6:00 pm). The Festival will feature more than 15 Wilcox-area wine producers serving samples of their delicious wines. Patrons can sample award-winning wines from favorite producers such as Carlson Creek Vineyard, Coronado Vineyards, and Zarpara Vineyard. Regional musicians from Tucson and Phoenix will perform throughout the event, adding a layer excitement to an already fun event. Hungry attendees can stop by a pop-up restaurant hosted by Dante’s Fire, a Tucson-based restaurant, for some meals and snacks made using fresh locally sourced ingredients. There will also be a significant vendor area featuring more than 45 local vendors selling a variety of trinkets, art, and foods. The benefit wine dinner will include many of the wineries featured at the festival, plus the culinary creations of Chef Ken Foy of Dante’s Fire. Proceeds from the wine dinner will go to the Northern Cochise Community Hospital, which works to provide excellent health care to people in the Wilcox community. ResortsandLodges.com interviewed Event Representative, Rod Keeling, to learn more about this can’t miss Southeast Arizona wine soiree.
RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.
RK: Located at the historic Railroad Park, just steps from the Willcox Wine Trail and local vineyards, the festival will feature over 15 Willcox-based wineries pouring their award-winning wines. The event will also include a pop-up street bistro featuring Tucson-based restaurant Dante’s Fire, top music acts hailing from Phoenix and Tucson, and over 45 local artists, farmers, and other purveyors selling locally grown pistachios, pecans, and other specialty foods.
RAL: Take me through a day at the event. What can I expect as an attendee?
RK: The Festival rates as one of the best wine festivals in North America by Fodor’s Travel, ideally located among the state’s primary grape-growing region (74% of Arizona wine grape production occurs in Willcox Wine Country). The two-day festival will also feature a benefit wine dinner held with proceeds benefiting the Northern Cochise Community Hospital. The reception and wine dinner feature many of the festival’s participating wineries and performers, plus, meals prepared by Chef Ken Foy of Dante’s Fire.
Wineries featured at the spring festival include:
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Aridus Wine Company*
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Arizona Stronghold Vineyards
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Bodega Pierce/Seculum Cellars*
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Caduceus Cellars
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Carlson Creek Vineyard*
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Deep Sky Vineyard
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Coronado Vineyards*
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Four Tails Vineyard
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Golden Rule Vineyards*
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Keeling Schaefer Vineyards*
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Kief-Joshua Vineyards*
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Page Springs Cellars
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Pillsbury Wine Company*
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Sierra Bonita Vineyards
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Zarpara Vineyard*
(* designates those with Willcox tasting rooms, which will also be open for business)
Pre-sale tickets are available on our website for $15, which includes a wine glass and six tasting tickets. People can also upgrade to a $20 ticket which includes a wine glass and 10 tasting tickets. Tickets may also be purchased at entry. Designated drivers, underage family, and non-drinkers will be admitted at no charge.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
RK: The Willcox area leads the industry’s grape production by growing 74% of the state’s wine grapes, and is the source of the most highly rated Arizona wines by Wine Spectator, with 45 wines rated 88-90 over the past 10 years. The area was recently designated the Willcox AVA (American Viticultural Area), making it federally recognized as a unique and distinctive wine growing region in the United States. Our local wineries have 10 tasting rooms, tours, and a variety of award-winning wines.
For more information about the Willcox Wine Country Spring Festival, please visit the event website.