On a whim, I headed to AZ for a Sedona girls trip. Why on a whim you say? Well a one way ticket (SFO-PHX) only cost $19! I mean it's like the chinatown bus of the skies! And honestly the Frontier flight was totally fine...I was so excited about Frontier that on the way back I raised my hand when the flight attendant asked who was interested in the Frontier airlines credit card application...yes please!
Once in Phoenix, my friend Melyssa met me for din din, wine and catch-up. The next morning we drove 2 hours to Sedona...red rocks, yummy eats and WINE! AZ wine country?! I was surprised myself but one of my new years resolutions is to discover as much wine country as possible and right outside Sedona is Verde Valley or as Melyssa likes to call it #DirtyVerde.
We called Sedona Wine Tours the night before and yes, they had 2 spots left! We shared our wine bus with 2 other groups. When the 2nd group joined they came in with coolers and served us mimosas...I guess they wanted to start the party early which was fine by us!
When we arrived at the first of four stops in Verde Valley...Melyssa took one look at the vines and immediately said "the struggle is real."
But we're here so let's drink up!
MC = Me
MD = Melyssa
Alcantara Vineyards and Winery
Wine: 2014 Merlot Rose (Very light color with floral, mineral & green apple aromas with a slight citrus from the Orange Muscat)
MD: Cherry Butter
MC: Nice & light
Wine: 2013 Sauvignon Blanc (More reminiscent of Condrieu, lots of flinty mineral aromas & flavors)
MD: White trash classy, I smell perfume...it tastes like those vines look!! The struggle is reeeeeeeeeal.
MC: Grapefruit & melon notes but its too minerally for my palate.
Wine: Confluence VII (Aromas of black cherry, plums, cola & vanilla/Silver Medal Winner Long Beach Cru)
MC & MD: Yes! Favorite so far. We taste chocolate & berries. It is also the most expensive bottle at $39.95. What can we say, we have good taste? This one's a keeper. We bought it for later along with some must-have wine trinkets!
Now if only I was as detailed for the rest of our wine tour but lets be real...wine was flowing faster than I could type in the notes section of my phone. But please, continue.
Service here was very slow. We ordered charcuterie & pizza...delish! First words from MD "Oh my Gaaaawd!!!"
I think we were more impressed by the food than the wine. We sat on the patio and enjoyed ourselves but we must have waited 20 minutes between the 1st and 2nd tasting. Then they poured 2014 Mules Mistake...no mistake in our opinion. MD: This is a perfect marriage between a Rose and a Red. I think this calls for a hashtag #palatesonpoint.
Oak Creek Vineyards and Winery
The woman who poured our wines here was smartest of the bunch! She said things like "petroleum on the nose." When it was my turn, I took one whiff of "The Artist" (tropical fruit and tea rose with a finish of green apples) and my observation: floral and sweet. But yet again, too high in minerality for me. We wrapped it up with "The Fire" MD: salami! MC: Spaghetti! Woman who was pouring: Cinnamon, Celery Seed, Allspice.....Amazing. I didn't leave with wine but I did leave with the cutest wine onesie cuz wine and babies so go together.
Javelina Leap Estate Vineyards
We took a tour of their barrels which was cool and educational but I was many wines in that I can't really remember what I learned. I remember liking it :) I also accidentally stole a glass but not really since they charged Melyssa for it. Thanks Melyssa! Also, I loved the Syrah. I would have bought a bottle but I packed 4 days worth of clothes into a backpack (including wedges!!!) so I wasn't about to break the bank...$19 for the fare, $13 for the seat...$40 for a checked bag makes no sense at all!
Next up...wine country outside St. Louis. Again...who knew?! Until then, let's raise a glass for the weekend :)
