Arizona Wine

Arizona's flourishing wine industry may surprise those who think of the Grand Canyon State as a desert landscape dotted with cacti. From the high-country vineyards of the Verde Valley to the rolling plateaus of Sonoita and Willcox, pioneering winemakers are producing nationally acclaimed, award-winning wines. While the 1970s are recognized as launching the modern-day industry, Arizona's viticulture dates back much further. The Spanish and Jesuit missionaries introduced European winemaking to the Southwest, and the 1800s saw the introduction of Arizona's first wineries. Join author Christina Barrueta on this fascinating journey and meet the pioneers and visionaries who are forging their own paths to build America's newest wine region.
Christina Barrueta is a freelance food, beverage and travel writer based in Phoenix. She contributed to the state's premier wine magazine, AZ Wine Lifestyle, from 2008 to 2015 and was inducted into the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame in 2016. An avid supporter of the talented and driven people who are shaping the Grand Canyon State's thriving wine industry, she hopes to share their passionate voices and shine a spotlight on the world-class wines being produced in the vineyards of Arizona.