Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

On Saturday, Jan. 27, to Sunday, Jan. 28, the Arizona Wine Growers Association (AWGA) will be partnering with azcentral to host the 9th Annual Grand Wine Festival at Heritage Square Park in downtown Phoenix. The two-day festival, preceded by the sold out Grand Wine Gala on Friday, Jan. 26 where winners of the azcentral Arizona Wine Competition will be announced, will feature more than 30 Arizona wineries pouring over 200 wines, along with live music, food trucks and other local vendors.

What started as just a few wineries in the early 1980’s to establish the modern Arizona wine industry (viticulture originally began in Arizona in the 16th century when missionary Spanish Jesuit priests began to plant grapevines and make wine for sacramental use) has since grown into over 100 licensed and bonded wineries, many of which receive national and international attention for their wine.

Following the announcement of all winners at the Grand Wine Gala is the two-day Grand Wine Festival at Heritage Square Park on Saturday, January 27 (from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Sunday, January 28 (from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.). 30 Arizona wineries and vineyards will be pouring over 200 AZ-made wines, alongside local food trucks, live music and other local purveyors who will also be featured at the event.

Wineries participating at the two-day Grand Wine Festival include:

• Alcantara Vineyards & Winery
• Arizona Stronghold Vineyards
• Bodega Pierce Wines
• Burning Tree Cellars
• Caduceus Cellars
• Carlson Creek Vineyard
• Chateau Tumbleweed
• Chiricahua Cellars
• Coronado Vineyards Inc.
• Deep Sky
• Dos Cabezas Winery
• Fort Bowie Winery
• Four Tails Vineyard
• Gallifant Cellars
• Golden Rule Vineyards
• Hannah’s Hill Vineyard
• Javelina Leap Estate Vineyards
• Keeling Schaefer Vineyards
• Kief Joshua Vineyards
• LDV Winery
• Lightning Ridge Cellars
• Page Springs Vineyards & Cellars
• Pillsbury Wine Company
• Saeculum Cellars
• Sierra Bonita Vineyard
• Sonoita Vineyards
• Southwest Wine Center
• Su Vino Winery
• Wilhelm Family Vineyards
• Winery 101
• Zarpara Vineyard

To purchase tickets to the Grand Wine Festival ($15 for 6 tasting tickets or 20 for 10 tasting tickets), visit grandwinetastingfestival.azcentral.com or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-grand-wine-festival-awards-gala-january-2018-tickets-37988406346.

For more details on the event or the Arizona Wine Growers Association, visit www.arizonawine.org or connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.