Sonoita, Arizona is located south of Phoenix and Tucson, AZ., at the intersection of US Highway 82 and 83. About 2,300 people live in and around the area, according to the Sonoita-Elgin Chamber of Commerce.
The Sonoita, Arizona area has rolling grasslands at a 5,000 foot elevation, surrounded by the Huachuca, Whetstone, Santa Rita and Mustang Mountains.
The Sonoita Appellation is 60 miles southeast of Tucson and west of Sierra Vista, AZ. From Tucson, take I-10 east and turn right on HWY 83. Since Sonoita, AZ. is relatively small, there are vast opportunities for real estate development.
Arizona’s Mountain Empire Announces Weekend of Wine, Food & Fun
Community Invites Wine Lovers to Beat the Heat and Unwind Close to Home
Elgin, Patagonia and Sonoita (known as the Mountain Empire) are opening their doors and inviting wine lovers and their families to a relaxing weekend of wine, food and fun in the cool setting of Arizona’s Wine Country. Located in southeastern Santa Cruz County, the communities boast an elevation of 5,000 feet above sea level where temperatures are consistently 10-20 degrees cooler than Phoenix and Tucson. The first annual Wine, Dine & Unwind is happening on June 20 and 21 and the whole community is pitching in to make this the ultimate “stay-cation” for all those who attend.
Wind, Dine & Unwind is sponsored by the local Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and Patagonia Area Business Association who want wine lovers and their families to experience the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the community. Doug Sposito, President of the Sonoita-Elgin Chamber states, “We invite Arizonans to discover all the treasures that our community has to offer. There is something for everyone—hiking, biking, shopping, bird watching and wine tours. For parents who want a little time to themselves, there will be day camp and day care with children’s activities.”
Passports for one day of the event are $40. Two-day passports are $65 per person. Event passports offer guests access to free wine tastings partnered with catered local cuisine at the wineries. There will also be complimentary transportation shuttles between the communities and to and from the wineries. Free delivery of purchased wine to your car or place of lodging is also included. The passport includes discounts or special offering available only to passport holders at Bed & Breakfasts, restaurants, galleries, shops, tours and more. Many of the coupons in the passport are valid for long beyond the weekend event. Saturday’s encore is a Cajun Feast Dinner with live music and dancing at the Walker Guest Ranch in Sonoita, sponsored by the Mountain Empire Rotary Club; or a Picnic at Patagonia Park with live music under the stars.
Several organizations are hosting buffet breakfasts, box lunches, or hot dog, lemonade and ice cream stands during the weekend long event. Local residents will be selling handmade wares, cheeses, vegetables and more at Saturday’s Farmer’s market in Sonoita. Artists’ studios will be open and outdoor enthusiasts can sign up for trail rides or nature walks. Sposito continues, “We have limited capacity at the wineries so the event passports are limited. We encourage anyone interested to make their reservations soon!”
“All proceeds from the event go to support the communities’ elementary schools. Education budgets have been severely cut this year – especially in the rural areas. This event will help minimize the impact of these cuts on our kids” says Keith Barth, President of the Mountain Empire Rotary Club, event organizer and co-sponsor. “This is an old fashioned community effort. Just about everyone in the entire Mountain Empire is offering a special activity, discount or unique experience for Wine, Dine & Unwind. By extending the life of the passport coupons beyond the event, we are encouraging folks to come back again and again!”
For more information and reservations, visit http://www.MountainEmpireWineAndDine.com
Annual Sonoita Vineyards Blessing of the Vineyards Fesitval
As families and consumers tighten their budgets, luxury industries such as the wine industry have struggled through the economic downturn. However, instead of shrinking back to ride out these lean times, one local winery is pulling out all the stops to make the 29th Annual Blessing of the Vineyards Festival the largest ever. On April 25th, 2009 Sonoita Vineyards is introduced a new event called Taste of Sonoita featuring wine pairings and gourmet offerings from local farms, inns and restaurants. Additionally, the annual Blessing of the Vineyards will feature new and affordable family events such as balloon rides, baby goat bottle feeding, horseback rides and book signings in addition to the traditional blessing, live music, dancing and wine tastings and tours. Continue reading about the Sonoita Vineyards Annual Blessing of the Vineyards Festival.
Sonoita, Arizona Orchards, Vineyards and Wineries
Callaghan Vineyards, 520-455-5322.
Domaines Ellam, 520-455-4734. Tasting Room daily 10 - 5
Douglas Apple Orchard, 520-455-9320.
Sonoita Vineyards and Winery, 520-455-5893. Sample the wines at Sonoita Vineyards.
The Village of Elgin Winery, 520-455-9309.
Sonoita, AZ. Web Site Links:
Sonoita-Elgin Chamber of Commerce: http://www.sonoitaelginchamber.org/
Sonoita.com
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