Tag: Fountain Hills

Dead Zed Red still going strong in 2024

The last five and half years in the wine industry could feel like fifty years with the ups and downs of the industry and the world we live in. I was glad to hear from John Burke, the vintner of Dead Zed Red, that the brand was going strong since my February 2019 featured post as he was releasing his first vintage.

He and winemaker Leon Tackitt have continued to produce the red blend with grapes from Swiss Colina and Tackitt Family Vineyards located in the Estrella District of Paso Robles. What does change from year to year is the grape blend and the current 2021 bottling is 50% Petite Sirah, 42% Zinfandel and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 6 months in 2nd and 3rd year American oak.

New distribution in Arizona and surrounding states have given Dead Zed Red and events with Fountain Hills’ Batchelor’s Pad BBQ have brought the wine new fans and Big Chris’s haunting label make it scary enough for Halloween. The full-bodied wine has a good balance of fruit and acidity with hints of cherries, blackberries and cassis making for a good holiday drinking wine. To stay in touch with Dead Zed Red and find out about upcoming events head to their website and sign-up for their newsletter.

ADERO Scottsdale Resort to feature Cielo as its signature restaurant

When the new ADERO Scottsdale Resort opens in October it will offer great views, luxury and inventive cuisine in Cielo Restaurant. Located on the southern end of the McDowell Mountains on the border of Scottsdale and Fountain Hills, ADERO will feature 117 rooms, a boutique spa and will be Scottsdale’s only Dark Sky Resort. As part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection, ADERO will have elevated experiences and amenities.

“This new resort has been years in the making, and we’re thrilled to debut ADERO this October as part of the Autograph Collection,” said Owner and Developer Bill Hinz. “With endless desert terrain allowing for the possibility of year-round adventure, we wanted to create a place where flora and fauna, the local community and culture intersect with the guest experience through hands on programming and superior service. Our goal is for guests to be forever impacted by wonderful memories, and more importantly an all-encompassing knowledge on how to be better stewards of our environment.”

Cielo, means “sky”, will be the resorts signature restaurant will offer guests one of the best views on the Scottsdale dining scene including outdoor seating with views of Four Peaks and the surrounding desert. Regional tequilas and mezcals will be featured in the restaurant’s cocktail program and the menu will include regional ingredients. Partnerships with local purveyors are being pursued that currently includes Bone Haus Brewing.

For more information visit their website or call (480)-333-1850. ADERO can be followed on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @ADEROScottsdale.

Grape Stomp Festival in Fountain Hills

If crushing grapes conjures up visions of Lucille Ball in the classic grape stomping episode, then this event is for you. The Great Grape Stomp returns to Fountain Hills on Saturday, November 3, from 10-4 p.m. The full-day event kicks off with a 5K race at Fountain Park (race-day registration or check-in starts at 9:00 a.m.). The Stomp festival include wine tastings ($15 tasting fee, guests receive 8 tastings plus a commemorative glass) featuring wines from Arizona’s four main wine regions. The event includes a Farmer’s Market, Fine Artists displaying their original art, cooking and wine-pairing demonstrations, entertainment featuring vocalist Donna McGee, and a grape stomping competition. Executive Chef Paul O’Connor of Alchemy Restaurant at Copperwynd Resort and Winemaker Curt Dunham will provide a wine pairing demonstration with Lawrence Dunham Vineyards’ wines and a variety of small bites offerings featuring products from the Farmer’s Market.

Donna McGee will be providing listenable vocals throughout the event. A veteran of the café scene in Tucson, she brings her easy but elegant style to the Valley. Over 40 vendors will be on display with all manner of snacks and meals, starting with a variety of healthy breakfast items from Eat me Catering. Desserts, from whoopie pies to fudge and popcorn will abound.

A wide variety of juried artists will be selling original art and wearable art pieces throughout the show and an award ceremony at center stage on the Avenue of the Fountains will announce the winners of the 5K race. But the most fun will be the Grape Stomping Competition. For a $10 fee “Stomping Teams” will compete for the Phoenix Area Great Grape Stomp Championship. After expenses, proceeds from the “Stomp” will benefit the Arizona Wine Growers Association. This is a family-friendly adventure, and team-members will join a harvest tradition that spans centuries. (Hint: dress in black or dark clothing!)

Grape Stomp Schedule of Events:

9:00 a.m. 5K race check-in; race start at 10:00 a.m. at Fountainside Plaza. For more information and online race registration ($35 includes race, t-shirt, goodie bag, & festival wine tasting fee) at http://www.arizonawine.org/grapestomp.html.

Winemaker Curt Dunham/ Chef Paul O’Connor from Alchemy at Copperwynd sessions between 11:30 – 1p.m. featuring Farmer’s Market products and wine from Lawrence Dunham Vineyards.

Grape Stomping: Starting with local celebrity teams, the grape stomp will occur between 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Teams (three or more) can pre-register by email to info@lawrencedunhamvineyards.com or at the Festival entry gate.

For more event information: http://www.arizonawine.org/resources/FtHills_Grape_Stomp_Poster_10-22-12.pdf or contact, Peggy Fiandaca about the Grape Stomp festival email info@LawrenceDunhamVineyards.com or contact the AWGA Office at (623) 236-2338.