The Best Way to Go Wine Tasting in Southern Arizona

Disclaimer: I was provided a free wine tour in exchange for my honest review. This post may also contain affiliate links so I may make a commission of anything purchased from links in this post.

Just the other week, I got to spend the weekend with Tanner doing one of my favorite things: wine tasting. I’m not exactly sure when I got so into wine, but it’s quickly become a thing that Tanner and I love to enjoy together. It all started when we went wine tasting in Santa Barbara when we first started dating – I think that was it.

When we went to the Willcox Wine Festival a few months ago, I heard about Sonoran Tasting Tours and I knew it was something I wanted to do. So, I planned our little wine tasting outing for Tanner’s birthday weekend and it was the perfect way to celebrate!

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If you don’t really know about wine tasting in Arizona, the wineries are located in more rural places of Southern Arizona. They’re spaced out a bit too which can make going from place to place a little more complicated. The rural location means there are no taxis, no Ubers, and makes organizing a trip a little more difficult. The best part about booking a wine tour means that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your wine instead of worrying about your trip.

Tanner and I were picked up at my place around 9:15 AM. We were the first to be picked up, so we headed out to where the others were located to pick them up as well. Sonoran Tasting Tours organizes all the pick-ups ahead of time, which makes everything a breeze in the morning.

Rancho Rossa Vineyards

The drive to the first vineyard is about an hour outside of Tucson. It’s a gorgeous and relaxing drive, especially in the morning.

Our first stop was Rancho Rossa Vineyards. It’s a small tasting room decorated with fun concert posters and album covers. I think the whole mood of this tasting room was my favorite. They also have a little aquarium on the inside complete with sea anemones, eels, clown fish, and more!

We ended up buying the 2014 Layla, a fruity wine with flavors of apricot, mandarin and honeysuckle. If you like dry wines, this is a winner. It’s dry, crisp, and fruity and perfect to enjoy in a variety of locations.

Rancho Rossa Vineyards has a vintage music feel and even features a salt water aquarium!Rancho Rossa Vineyards has a vintage music feel and even features a salt water aquarium! Rancho Rossa Vineyards has a vintage music feel and even features a salt water aquarium! Rancho Rossa Vineyards has a vintage music feel and even features a salt water aquarium! Rancho Rossa Vineyards has a vintage music feel and even features a salt water aquarium! Rancho Rossa Vineyards has a vintage music feel and even features a salt water aquarium! Rancho Rossa Vineyards has a vintage music feel and even features a salt water aquarium!Sonoran Tasting Tours Rancho Rossa Vineyards has a vintage music feel and even features a salt water aquarium! Rancho Rossa Vineyards has a vintage music feel and even features a salt water aquarium! Rancho Rossa Vineyards has a vintage music feel and even features a salt water aquarium! The perfect wine tasting outfit features a long dress and a moto jacket for some added edge!Rancho Rossa Vineyards has a vintage music feel and even features a salt water aquarium!

Wilhelm Vineyards

Our second vineyard was Wilhelm Vineyards, which specializes in sweet and dessert wines. Here, we ended up buying a Prickly Pear Sangria to enjoy when the weather warms up again.

This tasting room was super cute and decorated with little wine-pun signs. If you just look at the building, how cute is this place? It perfectly captures what an Arizona tasting room should look like, complete with the ranch-style building and rustic decor.

Wilhelm Vineyards features some of the best dessert wines in the area and has the perfect rustic decor! Wilhelm Vineyards features some of the best dessert wines in the area and has the perfect rustic decor! Wilhelm Vineyards features some of the best dessert wines in the area and has the perfect rustic decor!Wilhelm Vineyards features some of the best dessert wines in the area and has the perfect rustic decor! Wilhelm Vineyards features some of the best dessert wines in the area and has the perfect rustic decor! Wilhelm Vineyards features some of the best dessert wines in the area and has the perfect rustic decor! Wilhelm Vineyards features some of the best dessert wines in the area and has the perfect rustic decor! Wilhelm Vineyards features some of the best dessert wines in the area and has the perfect rustic decor!

Hops and Vines

This little place is a favorite in Southern Arizona. It’s known for it’s wine pairings; they pair things like pork rinds and doritos with their wines.

It’s a quirky little place with fun decor and a pretty view, definitely a place I could spend more time. They even had fun decorations for Christmas! After the tasting, I enjoyed an additional glass of their mulled wine, which is quite possibly my new favorite thing.

Known for it's strange wine pairings, Hops and Vines is a must-see vineyard in Southern Arizona!Known for it's strange wine pairings, Hops and Vines is a must-see vineyard in Southern Arizona! Known for it's strange wine pairings, Hops and Vines is a must-see vineyard in Southern Arizona! Known for it's strange wine pairings, Hops and Vines is a must-see vineyard in Southern Arizona! Known for it's strange wine pairings, Hops and Vines is a must-see vineyard in Southern Arizona! Known for it's strange wine pairings, Hops and Vines is a must-see vineyard in Southern Arizona! Known for it's strange wine pairings, Hops and Vines is a must-see vineyard in Southern Arizona! Known for it's strange wine pairings, Hops and Vines is a must-see vineyard in Southern Arizona! Known for it's strange wine pairings, Hops and Vines is a must-see vineyard in Southern Arizona! Known for it's strange wine pairings, Hops and Vines is a must-see vineyard in Southern Arizona!The perfect wine tasting outfit features a long dress and a moto jacket for some added edge! The perfect wine tasting outfit features a long dress and a moto jacket for some added edge! The perfect wine tasting outfit features a long dress and a moto jacket for some added edge!The perfect wine tasting outfit features a long dress and a moto jacket for some added edge! The perfect wine tasting outfit features a long dress and a moto jacket for some added edge! The perfect wine tasting outfit features a long dress and a moto jacket for some added edge!The perfect wine tasting outfit features a long dress and a moto jacket for some added edge!The perfect wine tasting outfit features a long dress and a moto jacket for some added edge! Known for it's strange wine pairings, Hops and Vines is a must-see vineyard in Southern Arizona! Known for it's strange wine pairings, Hops and Vines is a must-see vineyard in Southern Arizona!

Have I convinced you to go on a Wine Tour? Perfect! You can book yours HERE! If you want to meet up with me, look into booking a tour for the Spring Willcox Wine Festival!

Thank you so much to Sonoran Tasting Tours for an amazing trip! Can’t wait to ride with you again!

Hi - my name is Kirsten! I am currently based in Chicago after a long cross-country move from Arizona. What will you find here? I love sharing all things sustainability and slow fashion, any of my day-to-day shenanigans, the latest new hobbies I picked up, and whatever concert or music festival I can find. Welcome and thanks for popping in to my little corner of the world wide web!