As autumn settles over the high desert and the vines at D.A. Ranch turn shades of amber and gold, the Verde Valley Pottery Festival returns to Cornville for a weekend of handmade ceramics blended with the richness of land, wine, and community. From November 14-16, 2025, the historic vineyard will host a celebration of clay, drawing artists and visitors from across the state and region.
Set along the banks of Oak Creek, D.A. Ranch offers a natural setting where creativity thrives. The 100-acre working vineyard has become a favorite gathering place for artists, families, and wine lovers. During the festival, the property transforms into an immersive space where guests can sip estate-grown wine just steps away from potters shaping clay on the wheel.
“This festival is rooted in friendship, fire, and the handmade,” said Ben Roti, ceramicist and founder of the Verde Valley Pottery Festival. “Clay has always been about connection, between artists, between generations, between the land and the work. This weekend is about honoring that.”
What began in 2022 as a grassroots ceramic showcase in Camp Verde has since evolved into one of Arizona’s most anticipated arts events. After a brief rebrand in 2024, the festival returns under its original name with a renewed focus: to unite Arizona-connected potters with the community that sustains and inspires them. Over the course of three days, more than a dozen potters will gather at D.A. Ranch to share their work, demonstrate their craft, and engage with collectors, families, and first-time visitors.
“You’ll see everything from functional mugs and bowls to sculptural pieces,” said Alexis Petznick, CEO of D.A. Ranch Vineyards. “The art brings out the beauty of the space, and the space amplifies the work. Add in great food, live music, and incredible wine, and you have something really special.”
The weekend kicks off with First Pick Friday on November 14. For $25, guests gain early access to the marketplace and the chance to purchase work before the public. D.A. Ranch wines will be available alongside food trucks, Verde Brewing Company beer, and live music by Ryan David Orr.
On Saturday and Sunday, the festival is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests can browse an artist marketplace featuring work from more than a dozen regional potters, each bringing a unique approach to clay. Throughout the day, artists will host live demonstrations – from wheel throwing to surface design and alternative firing techniques – offering a chance to watch the ceramic process unfold in real time.
The atmosphere is rounded out by a lineup of food trucks, coffee, beer, and estate wines, served just steps from where the grapes are grown. Families are encouraged to attend, with hands-on clay experiences and interactive activities designed to engage children and adults alike.
More than a seasonal gathering, the Verde Valley Pottery Festival reflects the area’s growing reputation as a destination for contemporary ceramics. It’s a place where tradition and experimentation thrive side by side—where the work of the hands meets the rhythms of the land. General admission is free. For more, visit verdevalleypotteryfestival.com.
