Arizona offers a challenging yet rewarding viticultural environment. Its diverse weather, from intense heat to severe cold, hail, monsoons, and droughts, impacts grape cultivation, but growers have found a way. The key is to choose grape varieties that not only withstand Arizona’s extreme weather but also yield exceptional wines, reflecting the distinctiveness of the region.
History of Wine & Grape Growing in Arizona
The modern Arizona wine scene began with a UC Davis-backed initiative to rejuvenate Southwest agriculture amidst costly water and cheap imports. Led by Professor Gordon Dutt at the University of Arizona, the venture sought valuable crops with low water needs, zeroing in on wine grapes. They planted experimental vineyards across the Southwest, making wine in Tucson for quality assessment. Sonoita to Elgin proved exceptional for viticulture, spurred by Dutt’s early plantings at Babacomari Ranch in the late ’70s. The region’s inaugural vintage was released in 1983, marking a promising start for Arizona’s wine industry.
When Arizona Picked Up Momentum in the Industry
In 1984, the Sonoita AVA became Arizona’s inaugural, officially recognized wine region, covering vintages retroactively from 1983. This pivotal moment, highlighted by the success of pioneers like Kent Callaghan, whose wines won acclaim from critics such as Robert Parker, catapulted the state’s wine into global renown. The recognition of Arizona’s premium wines, boosted by a surge in interest in local and artisanal offerings, has since ushered the state’s wine industry into an era of esteemed standing.
The Difference in the Sonoita to Elgin and Wilcox to Elfrida Areas
Arizona’s Sonoita to Elgin and Wilcox to Elfrida areas offer unique wine flavors influenced by climate and elevation. Wilcox, at 4,300 feet, is known for softer, fruit-forward wines with citrus hints in reds. Sonoita and Elgin, positioned higher at 4,800 feet, yield wines with rustic tannins and savory notes. This highlights Arizona’s diverse varieties, emphasizing how elevation and climate contribute to distinct wine characteristics in each region, enriching the state’s wine portfolio.
A Few Wine Varieties to Grow in Arizona According to Experts
- Graciano:
- Late budding, minimal frost risk
- Drought tolerant
- Adaptable through all growth stages
- Ideal for Arizona’s climate
- Tannat:
- Durable, but can be challenging to blend
- Only moderately cold hardy
- Excellent color and tannins
- Retains acidity in heat
- Petit Manseng (White Variety):
- Early to mid budding, potential frost risk
- Cold-hardy, excellent wine quality
- Low risk of bunch rot
- Retains acidity in heat
- Claret:
- Favored in Wilcox for its adaptability and quality
- Aglianico:
- Suitable for Wilcox
- Appreciated for its versatility
- Good tannin and wine structure
- Cabernet:
- Not like Napa Cabernet, but a strong blending component
- Tempranillo:
- Thrives in Wilcox, not recommended for Sonoita due to colder winters
- Vranac:
- Late budding, thick-skinned
- Deep color, good acid, blends well
- Versatile for wine, like Graciano
If you want to learn more about vineyards and wineries in the emerging Arizona wine region, check out https://www.vineyardundergroundpodcast.com/vu051.
