VISIT SEDONA AREA WINERIES 

BY ROGER NAYLOR Travel writer for azcentral.com

In recent years, several wineries have taken root in the rolling hills just outside Sedona. Taking advantage of the rich volcanic soil and excellent climate, these wineries are producing handcrafted wines in white and red varietals as well as multigrape blends.

The winemaking tradition extends back to the earliest settlers of the region. Heinrich (Henry) Scheurman arrived in Sedona in 1884 and planted an orchard and vineyard along Oak Creek. A few years later he was selling apples, peaches and wine to the logging camps of Flagstaff and the miners in Jerome.

Locally-produced wines can be found in stores and on the menus of restaurants throughout the area. Better yet, go all Napa Valley on these idyllic little places by taking your own personal wine tour.

Alcantara Vineyards: The largest winery in central and northern Arizona, Alcantara Vineyards rambles across the limestone terraces above the Verde River in a picturesque setting. A Tuscan-style farmhouse serves as a tasting room. Open daily for tastings; vineyard tours on Fridays and Saturdays. 3445 S. Grapevine Way, Cottonwood. 928-649-8463 orwww.alcantaravineyard.com.

Javelina Leap Vineyard and Winery:Javelina Leap, nestled in a valley overlooking the riparian greenbelt of Oak Creek and the Audubon bird sanctuary, is a family-owned winery producing 1,200 to 1,600 cases of wine annually. Don't expect indecipherable wine-speak in the cozy, comfortable tasting room, modeled after an old saloon. Open daily. 1565 N. Page Springs Road, Cornville. 928-649-2681 orwww.javelinaleapwinery.com.

Oak Creek Vineyards and Winery: Producing crisp, clean whites and velvety full-bodied reds in small batches. The tasting room, with gourmet cheese plates, is open daily. 1555 N. Page Springs Road, Cornville. 928-649-0290 or www.oakcreekvineyards.net.

Page Springs Cellars: This operation specializes in delicious and complex Rhone wines. The tasting room and vineyard are open daily and visitors can buy a bottle to enjoy on the creekside deck. On Sundays, a local musician with an impressive John Prine repertoire entertains. A little wine, a little Prine and lots of sunshine. Now that's a Sunday to remember. 1500 N. Page Springs Road, Cornville. 928-639-3004 orwww.pagespringscellars.com.

http://www.azcentral.com/travel/arizona/sedona/articles/2009/04/09/20090409sedona-wineries.html