17th annual St. Martin’s Sonoita AVA New Release Festival

One of the most anticipated times of year in the wine world is the annual release of new wines. After harvesting the grapes, fermenting the juice to wine and aging the wine,  drinkers get to see what each winery has been able to achieve for any give vintage.  It’s like giving birth to a new child and is worthy of a celebration and Saturday November 11th will be the 17th Annual St. Martin’s Sonoita AVA New Release Festival.

The festival will be host by Sonoita Vineyards and will also celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the Sonoita AVA.

St. Martin’s Sonoita AVA Festival wineries

15 wineries from the Sonoita AVA(American Viticulture Area) in southern Arizona will gather and pour their latest creation for festival goers. A few of the wineries pouring include Callaghan Vineyards, Dos Cabezas, Village of Elgin Winery, AZ Hops & Vines and more.

The festival kicks off bright and early at 10 a.m. and concludes after the sun goes down at 5 p.m. with the blessing of the new vintage at noon.

Things to do

In addition to tasting wine Sonoita Vineyards will offer barrel tastings of yet to be released wines, discussions with wine makers, winery tours and a free souvenir to the first 100 guests.

Vendors will be on hand for guest to purchase gifts and souvenirs, activities for children will be available and food can be purchased from Luke’s Pizza and The Steak Out.

Tickets for the festival are $35 and include 15 tasting tickets and a souvenir glass. Tickets can purchased in advance at http://www.sonoitavineyards.com/

Sonoita Vineyards is at 290 Elgin -Canelo Rd. in Elgin.

 

 

Sonoita Vineyards celebrates the harvest with Harvestfest

Right around the end of July is when wineries in the northern hemisphere roll up their sleeves, wake up before the sun rises and work til the sunsets. It’s harvest time when the 2-3 month process of picking the grapes when they are just right so they can be turned into wine. Some celebrate the harvest at the end  in October or November with a festival for employees and friends but Elgin’s Sonoita Vineyards starts the harvest with their annual Harvestfest.

Harvestfest events

This years Harvestfest will take place on Saturday July 29th at 10 a.m. Throughout the day their will be winery tours given by the winemaker, food and wine pairings, vineyard tours in a  wagon and a good ol grape stomp at 1;00 p.m. which you must sign up for when you arrive.

Sonoita Vineyards
Photos courtesy of Sonoita Vineyards

Purchase tickets

No reservations are required but tickets do need to be purchased. 250 General Admission tickets are available on-line for $25 and $30 at the door. GA ticket holders get to enjoy the above events and get a souvenir glass and for the first 100 people a souvenir giveaway.

Lunch can be purchased on-site from local restaurants The Steak Out and The Daily Bread Bistro along with wines by the glass.

50 VIP tickets are available for $85 per person and in addition to all of the above will enjoy a climate controlled room with a balcony, private bar, after hours party from 4-6 p.m., a lunch voucher and more.

Tickets can be purchased at http://www.sonoitavineyards.com/

What else is going on at Sonoita Vineyards

Mark your calendars for the 17th Annual St. Martin’s Sonoita AVA New Release Festival with other Sonoita wineries on Nov. 11th  Tentatively scheduled for April 7th , 2018 is the 40th Annual Blessing of Sonoita Vineyards.

Take Hwy 83 south from I-10.  Sonoita Vineyards is located 3 miles south of Elgin at 290 Elgin-Canelo Road, Elgin, AZ 85611 520-455-5893