Tag: Arizona Vignerons Alliance

Cottonwood to host 6th Annual Verde Valley Wine Festival

The city of Cottonwood is known as “The Heart of Arizona Wine Country” which gives it good reason to continue to host the annual Verde Valley Wine Festival. Wine drinkers, wineries and artists will come from around Arizona to a new site at Riverfront Park on Saturday 20th with the two day wine and culinary festival benefiting three non-profits who have helped put Arizona and the Verde Valley on the international wine map, The Arizona Wine Growers Association, the Verde Valley Wine Consortium, and the Arizona Vignerons Alliance.

The Verde Valley was given the AVA (American Viticultural Area) designation in 2021 by the federal government; the designation is important for the grape growers and wineries in the region as it gives credibility and demonstrates its quality in the world of wine. It’s the third region in Arizona to be given the AVA designation.

The festivities kick off Friday evening at the Old Town Cottonwood Clubhouse for the “First Crush VVWF Gala & Auction. The evening includes premium wines, culinary options from local restaurants, live music and a live auction. Guests can bid on exclusive wine & travel packages and unique items from local artists. Over 20 wineries are expected to pour at the wine festival starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The festival will include wine, food, arts & crafts vendors and live music throughout the day.

Tickets for the Friday night gala are $150 per person and Saturday’s tickets are $35 per person. The gala is open to all ages and the festival is for those 21 & over. For more information and to purchase your tickets visit their website.

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Wines to flow at the 4th annual Verde Valley Wine Festival

After a 2 year hiatus the Verde Valley Wine Festival has announced that wines from Arizona’s newest American Viticultural Area (AVA) will flowing when the festival returns to Cottonwood on the April 29th & 30th.

The festival takes place on the Saturday the 30th at the Old Town Activity Park with a kick-off VIP platinum winemaker dinner the night before at the Old Town Cottonwood Clubhouse. More than 20 wineries are expected to be pouring their wines along with local breweries and distilleries. Dozens of food trucks, local arts, craft vendors and live music will feed and entertain guests.

“We are thrilled to be able to host the event again this year,” said Maynard James Keenan, director of the Arizona Wine Growers Association (AWGA) and owner of Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards. “Guests will be treated to some of Arizona’s best wines, taste some great food in a picturesque setting and be able to learn about our growing viticulture. We look forward to welcoming back old friends and introducing newcomers to this great event.”

Festival organizers are working with both Arizona wine non-profit organizations the AWGA and the Arizona Vignerons Alliance (AVA) to ensure the quality and authenticity of the Arizona wines. The festival starts at noon for General Admission ticket holders and 11 a.m. for those with VIP ticket holders. The festival goes until 5 p.m.  GA tickets are $35 and VIP tickets are $125 and Friday’s winemaker dinner is $99 per person. The Platinum VIP Experience is $199 and includes Friday’s dinner and VIP admission to the festival on Saturday.

 

Verde Valley Wine Festival is back for its 5th year Mother’s Day weekend

Update: Re-scheduled for Nov. 6th & 7th.

There’s no better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than with a glass of wine or two with dear old mom. You can purchase tickets for you and your mom for the 5th annual Verde Valley Wine Festival, Saturday May 9th 2020. Four Eight Wineworks presents the festival that will host 20 Arizona wineries along with local breweries, distilleries, food trucks and restaurants. The festival takes place at Clarkdale Town Park from 12 – 5 p.m. Each year the festival donates part of the proceeds to a local non-profit, this year’s festival benefits The Arizona Vignerons Alliance and the Arizona Winegrowers Association. Participating wineries, food trucks and other vendors is will be announced soon.

“Wine’s economic impact on our state demands more resources to defend, protect and grow this incredibly delicate, yet robust industry in Arizona,” said David Baird, festival director and co-owner of oDDity Wine Collective. “Guests fly in from all over the world to attend this festival. For many people, the first time they understand the depth of Arizona wine is at our festival. We’re honored to be a conduit for that magic.”

General Admission tickets for the Verde Valley Wine Festival are available on-line for $35 in advance and $45 at the festival. VIP tickets are $125 and get you early entry at 11 a.m., access to the VIP Lounge, additional tastings and a swag bag. Platinum VIP tickets are $199 and include dinner and live auction on Friday May 8th. Festival goers are encouraged to spend the night and accommodations for glamping are available on the website.

Clarkdale Town Park is at 1001 Main St. Clarkdale.

 

 

 

Arizona Vignerons Alliance to host 1st annual Alliance Symposium and tasting

The newly formed non-profit Arizona Vignerons Alliance will be hosting its 1st Alliance Symposium on Saturday, Nov. 5th 2016 at The Farm at South Mountain. The day long symposium will include educational seminars, a picnic lunch with a live auction and concluding with The Grand Tasting.

az-wine-bucket-index
Photo courtesy of Miguel Guzman

what is the Arizona vignerons alliance?

The Arizona Vignerons Alliance (AVA) was formed in early 2016 to help protect the integrity of Arizona wines with the help of winemakers and growers providing consumer education. Through their submission process in the spring, 65 wines from 17 wineries were awarded the AVA certification.

Photo courtesy of Miguel Guzman
Photo courtesy of Miguel Guzman

Alliance Symposium schedule and tickets

The 1st Alliance Symposium will offer attendees a unique opportunity to hear about what makes Arizona vineyards and wines special in local, national and international wine community. After listening to the seminars attendees can take what they’ve learned and taste the wines to see for themselves. There are 2 ticket options available for the event.

The Full Magnum ($165.00/ticket)
9:30-10 a.m. Check in Donuts & Coffee
10-11 a.m. Seminar 1: Exploration of growing regions through wines with Pavle Milic
11:15 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Seminar 2: Digging into Arizona’s Wine Regions with Elaine Chukan Brown aka Hawk Wakawaka
12-2 p.m. Rosé Picnic & Live Auction in the Stone Grove at The Farm
2-5 p.m. Grand Tasting: Sample Arizona’s Alliance certified wines and meet the makers behind your  favorite Arizona wines.

The Split ($65.00/ticket)
2-5 p.m. Grand Tasting: Sample Arizona’s Alliance certified wines and meet the makers behind your favorite Arizona wines

To purchase tickets, see a list of certified wines and get more information please go to http://arizonavigneronsalliance.org/#events

The Farm at South Mountain is at 6106 S. 32nd St. Phoenix 85042