Why you should visit Jerome, Arizona wineries
This blog post covers the best wineries in Jerome, Arizona.
Jerome is nestled atop Cleopatra Hill, which overlooks the Verde Valley wine region.
The historic mining town of Jerome was founded in 1876 and catered to workers from nearby copper mines. You can still see remnants of its past in historic buildings like the Jerome Grand Hotel. Today it’s a quirky tourist town with a fun wine scene.
This blog post covers four Jerome Arizona wineries. One of the wine tasting rooms on this list was founded by a former rock star.
The second and third Jerome tasting rooms are affiliated with one another. The fourth winery calls itself the original Jerome winery. And who are we to disagree? The owner saw Arizona’s winegrowing potential decades ago.
We hope wine lovers will appreciate the potential of this charming small town and its incredible wineries on the Verde Valley Wine Trail. No matter your individual wine preferences, these Jerome Arizona wineries are sure to please.
How to access the wineries in Jerome, Arizona
The Jerome Arizona wineries on this list are relatively easy to access.
If you already live in Arizona, then great! You can simply drive to the wineries on this list. But if you live outside the Southwest you’ll need to fly into a nearby airport, rent a car, and drive from the airport to the wineries on this list.
Luckily Jerome is located within driving distance of several airports.
The Prescott Regional Airport (PRC) is located just 28 miles from this historic town. It’s a relatively short drive that should take about 45 minutes.
The second closest airport is Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG). It’s about 68 miles from the Flagstaff airport to Jerome. The drive should take about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car.
Scottsdale Airport (SCF) and Phoenix International Airport (PHX) are further away. The Phoenix airport has the widest range of commercial flights, which means you’re more likely to find a flight that works for you. But I wouldn’t recommend flying into the Scottsdale or Phoenix area because that would require more driving on your part.
P.S. The Grand Canyon National Park in Flagstaff is only 90 minutes from Jerome. Why not swing by Jerome after you visit the canyon? Sounds like a good detour to me!
The best Jerome wineries for an Arizona wine tasting
The Original Jerome Winery (Jerome, AZ)
Winemaker John McLoughlin believes Arizona is one of the world’s best kept secrets. He also believed in Arizona’s abilities as a wine growing state.
His winery, which is aptly named The Original Jerome Winery, has proven both beliefs to be true.
In 2001 winemaker John McLoughlin began planting Dragoon Mountain Vineyard. This vineyard is nestled in the caldera of Willcox, Arizona. Today, McLoughlin continues to walk the vineyard himself.
The Original Jerome Winery works with a wide range of grape varieties. Traditional grapes such as Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon appear in their deeply aged red wines. Unexpected varietals such as Arneis (Italy), Primitivo (Croatia), Aglianico (Greece), and Blaufränkisch (Austria) also play a part.
The Original Jerome Winery has two claims to fame. They offer the “only flight of vintage ports” and the “only Heritage Zinfandel flight” in Arizona State. You can try both flights at their colorfully decorated tasting room in Jerome, Arizona. It’s the perfect place to relax with a glass of great wine.
The Original Jerome Winery tasting room is open daily from 11 AM to 6 PM.
Caduceus Cellars & Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room (Jerome, AZ)
Merkin Vineyards and Caduceus Cellars are two of the best known wineries in Northern Arizona. Their marketing is decidedly punk. And for good reason… The owner Maynard James Keenan used to be a rockstar.
Keenan was living in Jerome, Arizona when he thought about starting a new career. He’s already been lead singer for the band Tool. Why not try winemaking next?
In 2004 Keenan founded Merkin and Caduceus and set about making some of the best wine in the American Southwest.
Their high elevation vineyards produce grapes such as Malvasia, Monastrell, Durif, Souzão, Negroamaro, and Luglienga. It’s worth the effort to visit Jerome to sample these wines of beautiful exotic grapes.
The Merkin Vineyards and Caduceus Cellars tasting room in Jerome is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 AM to 6 PM. On Friday and Saturday the Caduceus tasting room is open from 11 AM to 7 PM.
Cabal Cellars (Jerome, AZ)
The name Cabal Cellars is super fun. A “cabal” is a secret plot. A cabal can also be a small political faction that creates said secret plot.
All of the bottle labels at Cabal Cellars depict a different conspiracy theory. For example, the 2020 rosé features photos of Apollo 11 while the 2017 port references the 27 Club.
The wines at Cabal Cellars feature grapes such as Graciano, Aglianico, Tempranillo, and Petit Verdot. Winemaker Jason Domanico sources grapes from vineyards in Cochise County in Willcox, Arizona.
Cabal Cellars has tasting rooms in Jerome and Tombstone, Arizona. The Cabal Cellars Jerome tasting room is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 AM to 6 PM. On Friday and Saturday they’re open from 11 AM to 7 PM.
Cabal Cellars is a collaboration between Passion Cellars and Salvatore Vineyards.
Passion Cellars (Jerome, AZ)
One of the best parts of the Passion Cellars tasting room in Jerome, Arizona is their charming rooftop patio that overlooks Main Street. It’s a great place to kick back and relax with a glass of local wine.
Passion Cellars works with grapes such as Tannat, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Marsanne, and Roussanne. They produce both sweet and dry Riesling.
Passion Cellars has tasting rooms in Scottsdale, Willcox, and Jerome, Arizona. The Passion Cellars Jerome tasting room opens at 11 AM daily.
Passion Cellars is also related to Cabal Cellars (which has a Jerome tasting room) and Salvatore Vineyards (which has a Scottsdale tasting room).
Similar wine regions to explore
The best Arizona towns for your next trip wine country getaway
If you’d like to stick to Northern Arizona, then may we suggest you visit the town of Cottonwood? Cottonwood, Arizona is a super short drive from Jerome. It’s 8.5 miles from one town to the next, which takes roughly 15 minutes by car. If you’re already going to Jerome you may as well visit historic Old Town Cottonwood too! We’ve compiled a list of the best Cottonwood wineries for those who’d like to sample local wines.
Another Northern Arizona gem is Sedona. These Sedona wineries and wine bars offer a fun place to quench your thirst in this popular tourist town.
If you plan on flying into Phoenix you should stop in Scottsdale. The best wineries in Scottsdale AZ are elevated yet relaxed. Some say they’re the “best kept secrets” in the Arizona wine industry.
Southern Arizona is also ripe for exploration. We cover the best Southern Arizona wineries that use 100% Arizona-grown grapes. These wineries are intensely proud of their home state!
The towns of Sonoita and Elgin are arguably the most famous Arizona wine country destinations. First of all, they’re conveniently located. Sonoita is an hour south of Tucson and two and a half hours from Phoenix. Second, they have great wine. Our list of 17 wineries in Sonoita and Elgin, Arizona is a great place to start planning your trip.
Tucson is an easy one hour drive from Sonoita. This small city is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and it has wine. Perfect. These wineries in Tucson, Arizona offer a range of different grapes, flavors, and tasting experiences.
Willcox AVA is one of Southern Arizona’s best winegrowing regions. The small town of Willcox is less than 90 minutes from Tucson. These wineries in Willcox, Arizona use 100% Arizona-grown grapes to craft delicious wine.
California wine regions worth a visit
Arizona borders California, which is the most famous wine producing state within the United States.
Jerome, Arizona is a former mining town. So is Nevada City, California. Today this former Gold Rush town boasts Victorian-era homes, tree-lined streets, and plenty of wine. The best Nevada City wineries reflect the charm, history, and community feel of their hometown.
Parts of Southern California remind me of Arizona in that they’re hot and, well, dry. But contrary to popular belief even drier regions can still produce great wine. Take Los Angeles for example. It’s an entertainment industry mecca, not a wine industry destination. But the best wineries in Los Angeles make stellar wine from grapes grown just outside the city.
Just up the coast is Malibu, which offers a short but sweet list of wineries. Whether you’re looking for a beachside winery or a tasting room nestled in the canyons, this list of the best Malibu wineries will point you in the right direction.
If you’re more of a NorCal fan, take note: the area around Sacramento has tons of great wineries. Auburn and Morgan Hill are two towns just a short drive from Sacramento. We made a list of the best Morgan Hill wineries that focus heavily on Cabernets. We also compiled a list of the best wineries in Auburn because who doesn’t want to sip wine while staring at a vineyard?
Jerome, Arizona got its start as a mining town. Placerville, California is similar; this former mining town has a bustling wine scene today. The best Placerville wineries are easily accessible, quaint, and full of great wine. What’s not to like?
Off the beaten path wine destinations
Like Arizona, many parts of Nevada are quite dry. And yet there’s a burgeoning wine industry. These wineries in Pahrump, Nevada are ideally located halfway between Death Valley and the Las Vegas Strip. If you’ve ever searched for a place to refuel along the road, well, here it is!
