Sometimes one of Arizona’s best little escapes is sitting right down the road.
When most people hear the words “wine country,” their minds drift toward California vineyards or the hills of France. They picture long rows of grapevines, beautiful estates, tasting rooms, and quiet afternoons spent with a glass of wine overlooking the countryside. What many people around Prescott do not realize is that Yavapai County has a wine country of its own, and it is much closer than you might think. A short drive from Prescott leads into the Verde Valley, one of Arizona’s most established wine regions and one of the more enjoyable day trips in northern Arizona. Arizona Wine Has Earned Its Place Arizona’s wine industry has grown steadily over the years, with more than 100 licensed wineries across the state. The Verde Valley has become one of the centers of that growth. The secret starts with elevation. Southern Arizona wine regions around Willcox and Sonoita benefit from high-desert conditions, warm sunny days followed by cooler nights. The Verde Valley enjoys many of tho...