Why you should visit Sonoita wineries in Arizona
This blog post explores the best wineries in Sonoita and Elgin, Arizona.
The Sonoita wine region in Arizona is known for delicious wine and a down-to-earth attitude.
It’s also very accessible. Sonoita is only an hour drive south of Tucson, Arizona. And it’s two and a half hours from Phoenix.
Sonoita is also much cooler than Phoenix, so it’s the perfect escape from the city.
The high desert of Sonoita has warm days that give way to cooler temps at night. Vines in the high altitude Sonoita AVA (American Viticultural Area) struggle and, as a result, they produce uniquely flavorful grapes.
In general, Sonoita wineries lack the snootiness of other American wine regions. But make no mistake – these wineries still win awards!
In this blog post we list the best wineries located in and around the towns of Sonoita and Elgin.
The Sonoita wineries on this list are accessible, approachable, and delicious. Time to plan a trip!
How to access wineries in Arizona’s Sonoita Valley
The word “Sonoita” refers to both a valley and a town.
The Sonoita Valley is one of Arizona’s most beautiful areas full of rolling grass-covered hills and majestic mountains and canyons.
The town of Sonoita is incredibly small – there are fewer than 1,000 people living there! Elgin is even smaller.
Sonoita and Elgin are within easy driving distance of two key cities in Arizona.
Sonoita, Arizona is about an hour drive south of Tucson, Arizona.
Phoenix, Arizona is also relatively close. Sonoita is a 2 hour 30 minute drive southeast of Phoenix.
If you live in either city that’s great! You’ll find Sonoita to be super accessible.
But if you live outside of Arizona then you could fly into either Tucson or Phoenix, rent a car, and drive to Sonoita. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) serves Phoenix and Tucson International Airport (TUS) serves Tucson.
Elgin, Arizona is only nine miles east of Sonoita and the drive should take about 15 minutes.
Sonoita wineries: wine tastings in the town of Sonoita, Arizona
There are four wineries in the town of Sonoita that offer wine tastings. These Sonoita wineries range from casual and relaxed to more formal.
Dos Cabezas WineWorks (Sonoita, AZ)
Dos Cabezas WineWorks has been producing delicious wines in southern Arizona since 1995.
They grow high-quality fruit in their two high elevation vineyards. Pronghorn Vineyard is a 15 acre vineyard planted with a range of grapes including Malvasia, Petit Verdot, and Petite Sirah. Cimarron Vineyard is a 37 acre vineyard planted with a large range of white and red grape varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Primitivo, and Picpoul Blanc.
And they have food! Dos Cabezas WineWorks serves a fun selection of salads, desserts, and wood-fired pizza.
A regular tasting will cost $15-20. If you bring your own glass the tasting is reduced to $12.
You can book a private guided wine tasting experience led by an employee for about $50 per person.
The Dos Cabezas WineWorks tasting room in Sonoita is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 AM to 5 PM. Friday and Saturday they’re open from 11 AM to 7 PM. They welcome walk-ins on a first-come first-served basis.
Rune Wines (Sonoita, AZ)
Rune Wines describes itself as an “off-grid” winery and tasting room in Sonoita, Arizona.
They offer award-winning wines, a glorious view, and a unique tasting room. Rune Wines is Arizona’s only off-grid solar powered tasting room and vineyard.
The menu at Rune Wines typically consists of five to six wines ranging from red wines to white wines to rosé.
They also offer small bites, charcuterie boards, and sandwiches to complement their wine.
Wine flights cost $15 typically ($20 if you’d like to keep the glass).
Rune Wines tasting room is open seven days a week. Reservations are not necessary.
Arizona Hops and Vines (Sonoita, AZ)
Arizona Hops and Vines is a fun winery with a youthful soul.
It’s the brainchild of two sisters who wanted to open a “cheeky little winery” together.
They host creative special events like a camping sleeper, a “Paint Your Person” party, and a Drag Race (not the car variety). There are regular live music events too.
The winery sources grapes such as Grenache, Malvasia, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, and Cabernet Sauvignon from New Mexico and Arizona vineyards.
The tasting room is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 AM to 4 PM. It’s open Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM.
Sunset Ride Vineyards (Sonoita, AZ)
Sunset Ride Vineyards is a fun winery housed in a vibrant turquoise and yellow building. You can’t miss it!
They work with Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Marsanne, and Sauvignon Blanc grapes.
The Sunset Ride Wine tasting room is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM.
Check their Facebook to learn about upcoming live music and game nights.
Elgin wineries: wine tastings in the town of Elgin, Arizona
Elgin, Arizona is just nine miles east of the small town of Sonoita. The Elgin area is home to even more wineries that offer fun wine tastings.
Los Milics Vineyards (Elgin, AZ)
Los Milics Vineyards is a winery, tasting room, and boutique hotel all in one.
The winery focuses on producing award-winning wines from Arizona grapes. Interesting grape varieties such as Carignan, Counoise, Vermentino, and Vranac thrive in their Elfrida and Elgin vineyards.
Los Milics Vineyards has a tasting room in Scottsdale and another in Elgin. The ultra modern Elgin tasting room is open Thursday through Monday from 11 AM to 3 PM.
Guests can spend the night in one of the nine boutique casitas. Each small guesthouse has one bedroom, one bathroom, and views of the foothills of the Mustang Mountains.
Los Milics Vineyards serves a comforting mix of Spanish and Sonoran food at their Elgin location.
Their dining room The Biscuit is open for dinner Thursdays through Mondays for hotel guests. Non-guests should make a reservation.
Callaghan Vineyards (Elgin, AZ)
Callaghan Vineyards focuses on making award-winning wines from Mediterranean grape varieties.
The White House served their wine at multiple state dinners. And Callaghan Vineyards bottles have garnered awards at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
If you’d like to try their array of award winning wines you can visit their Elgin tasting room. Wine tastings are available from Thursday through Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM.
The typical tasting includes five 1-ounce pours for $17 and a souvenir wine glass. If you bring your own glass the tasting will cost $12.
Guests are welcome to bring a picnic and their leashed dogs.
Sonoita Vineyards (Elgin, AZ)
Sonoita Vineyards is the oldest commercial vineyard and winery in Arizona. Today they have over thirty acres of vines and a spacious tasting room in Elgin, Arizona.
The tasting room is open from 10 AM to 4 PM every day except for Tuesday.
The Sonoita Vineyards wine tasting is a flight of four wines. The typical tasting costs $20 per person and includes a souvenir glass. But if you provide your own glass the tasting will cost $15 instead.
The winery hosts live music on Saturdays. You can check their calendar for concert updates.
And you can camp at Sonoita Vineyards! If you are a “Harvest Host member” you can camp on winery property for up to three nights. You can bring your own RV, van, or tent. Or you can rent a tent or camper van from Sonoita Vineyards.
Vino Stache Winery (Elgin, AZ)
If you love to speak directly with winemakers then you should visit Vino Stache Winery.
Owner and winemaker Brooke Lowry Ide carefully sources grapes from high-altitude family-owned vineyards in Southern Arizona’s Sonoita AVA (American Viticultural Area).
Their wine list is short and focused. In 2023 the winemaker released two pét-nats and 2022 was the year Vino Stache Winery debuted one orange and two rosé wines. Before that Brooke used grapes like Tannat, Grenache, Malbec, Mourvèdre to craft several red wines.
The Vino Stache Winery tasting room is open Friday (12-5 PM), Saturday (11 AM to 5 PM), and Sunday (11 AM to 4 PM). If you’d like to arrange for a private appointment you can contact Brooke directly via her website.
Deep Sky Vineyard (Elgin, AZ)
In 2009 Kim and Phil Asmundson traveled to Argentina and fell in love with Malbec. They bought a small Argentinaian vineyard and later they bought a vineyard in Arizona too. And thus Deep Sky Vineyard was born!
After they planted Malbec the owners branched into Rhone varieties like Viognier, Mourvedre, and Counoise.
Deep Sky Vineyards is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. They’re closed Monday and Tuesday.
Their tasting costs $17 for five pours and includes a souvenir wine glass. If you bring your own wine glass the tasting will cost $12.
Wilhelm Family Vineyards (Elgin, AZ)
Wilhelm Family Vineyards is a winery in Elgin that specializes in Spanish varietals.
They work with grapes such as Tempranillo, Graciano, Verdejo, and Albariño.
Their Elgin tasting room boasts beautiful views of the surrounding mountain ranges, rolling hills, and estate vineyards.
Their Sonoita wine tasting room is located in the town of Elgin. It’s open Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM.
Lightning Ridge Cellars (Elgin, AZ)
Lightning Ridge Cellars combines their Italian heritage with Arizona grown grapes.
Classic Italian varietals such as Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and Primitivo benefit from the area’s cool nights, warm summers, and clay soils.
Lightning Ridge Cellars then applies traditional winemaking techniques to achieve the desired full-bodied wines.
The Lightning Ridge Cellars tasting room is open Friday from 12-4 PM and Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM.
Tastings are $12 and include a custom-etched wine glass. If you bring your own wine glass then the tasting drops to $7 per person.
Flying Leap Vineyards (Elgin, AZ)
Flying Leap Vineyards is a “vertically integrated” alcohol producer with an international flair.
They produce wine in Mendoza, Argentina and in the United States. Their distillery and wine production facilities are in Elgin, Arizona. And they have a partner winery in Washington State. They’re certainly busy!
Flying Leap Vineyards works with many grape varieties including Grenache, Graciano, Tannat, Petit Verdot, Mourvedre, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
During the summer the tasting room is open seven days a week from 12-4 PM.
The wine tasting flight features six 1-ounce pours for about $29. Bring your own glass and they’ll reduce the tasting fee to about $26.
Autumn Sage Vineyards (Elgin, AZ)
Winery owners Nancy and Stephen Basila fell in love with Elgin’s natural beauty and relaxing ambiance. They named their winery Autumn Sage Vineyards after the local autumn sage plants.
Their thirty acre property in the high desert of Sonoita grows grapes such as Aglianico, Albariño, Falanghina, and Nebbiolo (and many more).
The property has lovely views of the nearby mountain ranges and rolling hills.
The owners designed the winery’s outdoor space with relaxation in mind. There’s a patio, gazebo, and fishing pond complete with a little dock. Guests can bring a picnic and sit by the pond.
Autumn Sage Vineyards tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. The tasting room is closed Monday and Tuesday. They’re kid and dog friendly.
Hannah’s Hill Vineyard (Elgin, AZ)
Hannah’s Hill Vineyard is a small winery surrounded by Elgin grasslands in the foothills of the Mustang Mountains.
The southern Arizona climate lends a “spicy lift” to their Rhône-style wines.
The wine tasting menu will likely be a short but sweet list of blends made from estate grown grapes.
The tasting fee is $14 and includes a souvenir wine glass. If you bring your own glass the tasting fee drops to $8.
The Hannah’s Hill Vineyard tasting room is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 AM to 5PM.
Salvatore Vineyards (Elgin, AZ)
Salvatore Vineyards was founded in 2012 in southern Arizona wine country and later joined with Passion Cellars and Cabal Cellars. Together they create handcrafted Arizona wines.
Salvatore Vineyards works with grapes such as Aglianico and Sangiovese.
Passion Cellars makes Syrah and Cabal Cellars crafts rosé, port, and red blends.
These three wineries have tasting rooms located throughout Arizona.
The Salvatore Vineyards tasting room in Elgin is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM.
Twisted Union Wine Company (Elgin, AZ)
Twisted Union Wine Company is a winery that also offers two guest suites.
They work with grapes such as Malvasia, Viognier, Riesling, and Malbec.
Tastings cost $18 with the purchase of a wine glass or $14 if you bring your own glass.
Their tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM.
Twisted Union Wine Co. hosts live music events regularly. Check their Instagram for concert information.
You can also spend the night at Twisted Union Wine Co. in their two suites (book individually or separately).
Elgin Winery and Distillery (Elgin, AZ)
Elgin Winery is one of the oldest Sonoita wineries in the Sonoran desert.
This winery has three distinct branches: Village of Elgin, Four Monkey, and Tombstone.
Village of Elgin winery is the company’s oldest winery with roots in the 1980’s. They source grapes from the Sonoita AVA and Willcox AVA to craft wines like Cabernet Sauvignon.
Four Monkey Winery makes red blends. The owners named each wine after monkey-like personality traits: Playful, Naughty, Cheeky, and Sinful.
Founder Bill Letarte started the Tombstone line to make European-style wine using Arizona grapes.
Their Elgin Road tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM (5 PM on Saturday). The tasting room is closed Monday and Tuesday.
If you like Sonoita wineries you’ll also like these wine regions…
Arizona wine towns worth a visit
Sonoita and Elgin may be the most famous towns in Arizona wine country. But they’re not the only ones worth a visit.
We also wrote a blog post on the best Southern Arizona wineries. These wineries make delicious wine from 100% Arizona-grown grapes. They’re proud of their home state and its wonderful bounty!
Willcox is a small town located 77 miles (a 1 hour and 15 minute drive) from Sonoita. These Willcox wineries also make excellent wine from 100% Arizona-grown grapes.
Tucson is an easy one hour drive from Sonoita. These wineries in Tucson, Arizona offer different grapes, flavors, and tasting experiences. Plus Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Great food plus wine? Sign me up!
The Verde Valley is a winegrowing region in Northern Arizona. With natural beauty, outdoor activities, and plenty of wine this is a region you won’t want to miss.
Sedona is one of Northern Arizona’s most popular towns. These Sedona wineries and wine bars offer a great place to relax after a long day outdoors.
Jerome, Arizona is an historic mining town founded in 1876. Today it’s a quirky tourist town with a fun wine scene. The best Jerome, Arizona wineries have colorful backstories. Like the winery founded by a former rock star…
Cottonwood, Arizona is a short 15 minute drive from Jerome. 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 the local wines.
Scottsdale is part of the greater Phoenix area. Our favorite wineries in Scottsdale AZ manage to be elevated yet relaxed. Some say they’re the Arizona wine industry’s “best kept secrets.”
California wine regions to explore
The Sonoita wine region of Arizona has a Wild West feel that reminds me of Nevada City, California. Sonoita is surrounded by spectacular mountains and canyons… and Nevada City is nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Sonoita and Elgin are two wine-focused towns near one another… and Nevada City and Grass Valley are the same. Our blog post covers six Grass Valley and Nevada City wineries that offer fun wine tastings.
Texas towns near wineries
Wimberley and Driftwood are two Texas towns with a similarly symbiotic relationship. It’ll take about 20 minutes to drive from one town to the next. Both are located in between Austin and San Antonio. And both towns have wine! Our list of seven Driftwood and Wimberley wineries shows you where to go.
And if you needed another reason to visit Texas, why not check out Boerne and Comfort. These two small towns are quite close together (are you sensing a theme here?) so you may as well visit both. Our list of the best Comfort and Boerne wineries details which wineries are worth a stop.
Other states with developing wine scenes
Fort Collins, Colorado is a town with a short but sweet list of wineries. The three wineries Fort Collins offers all have outdoor seating. They’re the ideal place to enjoy a glass of wine in the sunshine!
Nevada has a growing wine industry despite its mostly dry climate. These wineries in Pahrump, Nevada are located halfway between the Las Vegas Strip and Death Valley. They’re the perfect place for thirsty travelers to refuel.
