{"id":30585,"date":"2024-07-10T05:36:42","date_gmt":"2024-07-10T12:36:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/valleygirlblog\/?p=30585"},"modified":"2024-07-10T05:48:43","modified_gmt":"2024-07-10T12:48:43","slug":"see-why-willcox-wine-country-is-arizonas-hidden-gem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/valleygirlblog\/news\/see-why-willcox-wine-country-is-arizonas-hidden-gem\/","title":{"rendered":"See Why Willcox Wine Country is Arizona’s Hidden Gem"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Keeling Schaefer Vineyards<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the leading locations in Arizona\u2019s grape production, growing over 75% of the wine grapes and wine for the state, is surprisingly unknown to a majority of Arizonans. Willcox Wine Country<\/a> not only boasts quality wines, but the allure of a charming town filled with the warmth of winemakers and locals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those visiting can stop among 14 tasting rooms, with several winery tours showcasing the locally grown and produced wines. If this isn\u2019t enough to lure Phoenicians out of the Valley, a 10- to 20-degree temperature difference makes Willcox a great place for enjoying the outdoors, from hiking trails to U-Pick fruit and veggie farms and endless fun festivals. Temperatures range from the upper 80s to low 90s during the day and mid-50s and -60s at night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Willcox Wine Country was recently granted AVA status (American Viticultural Area) by Fodor\u2019s Travel<\/a>, with Willcox taking a top 10 spot for North American wine festivals. At this year\u2019s San Francisco Chronicle Annual Wine Competition<\/a>, the largest competition of American Wine in the world, 65 of the 75 medals awarded to Arizona wineries listed their AVA as Willcox or Cochise County. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located in Cochise country, in southeastern Arizona, Willcox Wine Country’s success is due in large part to the conditions of the area, with high elevation, warm days and cool nights. The soils are rich in alluvial and volcanic mixtures from surrounding mountains creating growing conditions similar to France, Italy and Spain. Monsoon season throughout summer and fall creates a unique twist to the growing season by providing well-drained soils, mixed with the high elevation to provide ideal conditions for grape growing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Willcox Wine Country Partners <\/h3>\n\n\n\n