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.