“New” Wine Tasting Central
features Echo Canyon, Oak Creek
by Louis Palma
Photos by PetroGraphics
In slightly more than a decade, red rock country’s wine map has grown from a single, 32-acre vineyard, about 10 minutes outside of Sedona, to more than a half-dozen, local commercial wineries - and has played a leading role in the emergence of Arizona as a wine growing state.
The industry’s success has led to a spike in local interest in wine, as well – including more sophisticated wine lists in area restaurants, and increased wine sales from Flagstaff to Prescott. Grapevines also have become a choice landscaping feature at scores of new homes and luxury home communities in the Sedona area.
A wine tasting tour of red rock country’s vineyards produces quite a few extraordinary surprises. From the spectacular beauty of the landscape to the delicious, complex offerings created by the local winemakers, to the quaint, comfortable tasting rooms - it has become one of the area’s most popular attractions.
Well, it just got better. Recently, two of the pioneers of the local movement, have sort of intertwined vines.
Echo Canyon Vineyard and Winery (the granddaddy of them all), and Oak Creek Winery (the second arrival), have created a mega-tasting room, where you can find the multitude of offerings from both vineyards.
It’s like a wine tasting super store.
This month, we take a look at these two wineries – two of the prettiest vineyards you’ll ever see, located in neighboring Page Springs. We’ll meet the wine pioneers that brought grape vines back to red rock country, and taste some of their fabulous creations.
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Blazing the trail...
Winemaker Jon Marcus