14th Annual Sedona Winefest Returns September 23-24, 2023

Wine tasting with Merkin Vineyards, one of the 24 wineries in attendance at this year’s Sedona Winefest (Photo courtesy: Visit Cottonwood)

Scottsdale summers can be a bit much, and come September 23rd, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to escape to cooler temperatures: the 14th Annual Sedona Winefest. Sponsored by the Arizona Office of Tourism and the Verde Valley Wine Consortium at Sedona Posse Grounds Park, the two-day, nationally recognized wine festival will feature 24 award-winning Arizona wineries, food trucks serving local cuisine, a variety of artisan vendors, live music featuring DJ Pablonious Funk and Moon Tsunami on Saturday, The Naughty Bits on Sunday, and – for the first-time ever – local breweries and distilleries.

“This festival continually brings in wine lovers from across the nation and is a huge draw for the city that celebrates a myriad of things that makes Sedona such a unique destination,” said Sedona Winefest Founder Sandy Moriarty. “We look forward to making this year better than ever and enjoying all that Sedona has to offer in a setting unlike any other.”

The nationally renowned two-day festival, held from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 23rd and Sunday, September 24th, will feature a number of local food trucks, award-winning wines from the state’s best wineries, with winemakers in attendance from each of the state’s three wine growing regions, including:

• 1764 Vineyards
• Alcantara
• Arizona Stronghold
• Bodega Pierce
• Caduceus / Merkin
• Chateau Tumbleweed
• Cella Winery
• Copper Horse Vineyard
• Coronado Vineyards
• Cove Mesa Vineyards
• Da Vines Vineyard
• Elgin Winery
• Four Tails Vineyard
• High Lonesome Vineyards
• Grand Canyon Wine CO.
• Javelina Leap
• Laramita Cellars
• Oak Creek Winery
• Omphalos Winery
• Page Springs Cellars
• Southwest Wine Center
• Su Vino Winery

In addition to the 24 wineries featured, That Brewery, Diamond Distillery, Elgin Distillery and Seedlip non-alcoholic cocktails will be pouring their offerings for the non-wine drinkers in attendance.

Local food trucks that will be on-site include Merkin Gelato, Merkin Kebab, Malta Joe’s Baked Goods, Batchelor’s Pad BBQ, and Lobstar, complemented by food samplings from other vendors, including Maribel Cake Design, Virgin Cheese, Peace Love & Smoked Cheese, Sedona Divine Olive Oils & Vinegars and Carmella’s Joy.

Other local artisans and vendors include Eagle Eye Barrels, Bearded Makers, Choice Creative Culture, Sounds Bites Store, Room with a View, Oak Creek Apple Company and Tahoe Kitchen Co.

Early bird online tickets are available at www.sedonawinefest.com for $35/person and include full festival access, a commemorative glass and eight wine tasting tickets. Day-of, at the door tickets will be available for $45/person. Non-wine drinkers will be charged a general admission price of $10/person kids under the age of 18 (accompanied by an adult) will receive complimentary access.

To attend the Kick Off Party at Sound Bites Grill on Friday, September 22nd – which is a fundraiser for the Verde Valley Wine Consortium – featuring musicians Will Donato, Blake Aaron and Michael Paul, visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6108221?date=2390239.

For more information on the 14th Annual Sedona Winefest, visit www.sedonawinefest.com or email sedonawinefest23@gmail.com.