Salidas vinícolas únicas en AZ

Stomping grapes for fun and glory

In Arizona, wine culture goes beyond the traditional formality and seriousness that characterize the wine industry. Here, wine is also fun.

In July, Sonoita Vineyards in southern Arizona celebrates its annual harvest, known as HarvestFest, with tastings, pairings, vineyard and winery tours, live music, and, of course, grape stomping. Sign up to participate in grape stomping contests, with prizes for the winner of each round.

Every September, the Great Crush Festival is held at Arizona Hops and Vines (also in Sonoita). Tours, tastings, and live music are offered. Kids can enjoy the petting zoo and homemade refreshments. Parents can check their children into the teen-supervised Sober Shack while they wait in line to stomp grapes in a barrel.

Kayaking to a winery

For a change of pace, paddle out to a tasting with Sedona Adventure Tours . Their Water to Wine tours begin with a leisurely one-hour kayak ride down the cottonwood-lined Green River to Oak Creek. (No kayaking experience is necessary.)

On your tour, watch for bald eagles and brown herons circling overhead, deer along the riverbank, and beavers building dams. You'll arrive near a gravel road that leads to Alcantara Vineyards , where you'll receive a $20 credit toward wine tasting or a cheese and appetizer board.

Hiking among meadows and birds

Not much of a water bird? Go for a hike!

In the hills surrounding Willcox's Keeling-Schaefer Vineyards , you'll find birdwatchers from around the world traveling to this southeastern region to appreciate the rare species that frequent the area. In the winter, sandhill cranes arrive by the thousands. And in the summer, Willcox is one of only two areas in the U.S. where you can see the Elegant Trogon.

Even if you can't distinguish the Woodpecker from the American Avocet, the views of the prairies and mountains stretching to the horizon make for a stimulating (but not too demanding) hike and a perfect excuse to enjoy a glass of wine afterward.

Massages and merlot or wine and vinyasas

You don't have to go out of your way to add some fun to your tasting experience. Page Springs Cellars , on the Verde Valley Wine Trail, encourages you to relax with a massage in the vineyard before tasting their wines.

Several massages are offered at the vineyard throughout the year, depending on the weather, but for the ultimate winery tour, opt for the premium couples package, which begins with a guided behind-the-scenes tour of the winery, complete with tastings, before a relaxing 60-minute massage session. Afterward, enjoy artisanal stone-baked pizza, a seasonal salad, and one of four wines of your choice. End the day with another glass of wine on the deck or by the stream.

Page Springs Cellars also offers seasonal yoga and hoop dancing classes at the vineyard.