Verde Valley’s Venerable Tradition of Winemaking
Since the turn of the millennium, the Verde Valley has seen the birth of five vineyards and wineries in the bucolic communities of Page Springs and Cornville.
These wineries are producing handcrafted, limited production wines in both white and red varietals as well as library wines and multi-grape bottlings. Several have been applauded by wine critics and have won national awards. The public can give the wines a try in the vineyards’ tasting rooms during visiting hours, during occasional winemaker dinners and by picking up a bottle in area restaurants and in fine food emporiums and liquor stores.
A sixth winery is in Jerome (although its vineyards are in Wilcox, Arizona). The Jerome Winery has 20 patio tables for guests to sit down and enjoy a glass or bottle of wine along with a small menu of food items. Several times a year the winery hosts winemaker dinners.
In Sedona, plans are under way to develop the vineyard community of Bella Terra on Oak Creek on Upper Red Rock Loop Road.
To visitors, these wineries may seem like a sudden inspiration. But, in fact, Sedona and the Verde Valley have had a long history of winemaking that goes back to the earliest settlers of the region.
The first winemaker in Sedona and the Verde Valley is believed to have been Heinrich (Henry) Schuerman, a German-born baker who, in 1884, settled an old debt of $500 by taking ownership of 160 acres of farmland on Oak Creek. There was a crude irrigation ditch on site built by American Indians, and the couple expanded the ditch to irrigate an orchard and vineyard.
The orchard and vineyard flourished. Henry sold peaches, apples and wine to Flagstaff logging camps and Jerome miners until the Prohibition. (In 1920 a constitutional amendment outlawed the manufacture, transport and sale of alcoholic beverages.) At first, Henry refused to believe that the venerable tradition of winemaking could be illegal, and he ignored the new law. He was arrested and sent to jail in Prescott, but friends and neighbors demanded—and won—a pardon by the Governor of Arizona.
Although Schuerman’s Ranch has lain fallow for many years, it is going back to its roots. The new community of Bella Terra on Oak Creek is being built on the site. Bella Terra will incorporate orchards and vineyards amidst the land’s rolling topography, which will be part of the community’s Agriculturally Enriched Landscaping program. Residents will be encouraged to harvest gapes, make wines and produce jams, jellies and pies. “From planting to harvesting, the Bella Terra community will be carrying on the agricultural traditions of yesteryear,” says developer Mike Zito.
Verde Valley Wineries:
Alcantara Vineyard and Winery,
www.AlcantaraVineyard.com
7500 E Alcantara Way ,
Verde Valley , AZ 86325
(between Cottonwood and Camp Verde )
(928) 649-8463
wine tasting daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
tours on Friday and Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
Echo Canyon Vineyard and Winery,
www.EchoCanyonWinery.com
(928) 634-6122
no tours or tastings on site
tastings at Art of Wine at the Shops at Hyatt Pinion Pointe in Sedona , Arizona
Javelina Leap Vineyard and Winery,
www.JavelinaLeapWinery.com
1565 Page Springs Rd. ,
Cornville , AZ 86325
(928) 274-0394
wine tastings Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jerome Winery,
www.jeromewinery.com
403 Clark St .,
Jerome , AZ 86331
(928) 639-9067
tastings on patio; small food menu also available
Open every day from noon .
Sunday through Thursday, winery closes at 6 p.m.
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. , except first Saturday of the month when it stays open until 9 p.m. for Jerome’s Art Walk.
Oak Creek Vineyards and Winery,
www.OakCreekVineyards.net
1555 N. Page Springs Rd
Cornville , AZ 86325
(928) 649-0290
tours and tastings daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Page Springs Cellars,
www.PageSpringsCellars.com
1500 N. Page Springs Rd.
Cornville , AZ 86325
(928) 639-3004
wine tastings daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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