Make sure you stop in at the Pillsbury Wine Company Tasting Room in Historic Old Town Cottonwood where they are continuing the celebration of the release of their 2010 wines!  The relaxed atmosphere of the Tasting Room is complimented by their excellent varietals, wonderful, knowledgable staff and the exciting art on the walls.   Your Barristas are happy to offer pairing suggestions and samples of cheeses, bread and chocolate to compliment the wines.  And if you're lucky, you'll get to meet winemaker and director Sam Pillsbury who is happy to share his love and passion for growing vines in Arizona! 

Complimenting the tasting and sampling rooms of Historic Old Town Cottonwood are a variety of excellent restaurants!  I enjoyed a lovely 1/2 BLT sandwich & tomato soup combo with a "twist" at the Red Rooster Cafe.  The sandwich, properly called the BLT-MB, featured incredible thick slices of apple wood smoked bacon, lettuce, sliced tomato on whole wheat bread -but here was the sandwich twist - it also came with buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil leaves and a sun dried tomato cream cheese.  YUM!  The tomato soup, served cold, was a refreshing blend of fresh tomato, cucumber and various other fresh ingredients.  Perfect on a summer day!

But Cottonwood is MORE than just palate tempting offerings... there are many other things for you to enjoy! 

The Main Street of Historic Old Town is lined with interesting shops with ecclectic and unique collectibles, antiques, art and one of a kind gifts.  

You'll also be strolling through history!  Cottonwood enjoys a storied past, complete with secret bootleg tunnels and even a Hollywood connection!  A visit to the streets of Historic Old is like stepping back to a slower time.  Take some time to enjoy a walking tour of Historic Old Town Cottonwood!

Start your four-block walking tour at the Old Town Association’s Visitor Center (1101 North Main Street) where you can pick up a map of the area. The small stone building was once a county jail.  If you ask, you can walk back to view two metal-enclosed cells that were built in 1929.   For more information, please CLICK HERE

This is also the trailhead for the Jail Trail, a self-guided nature tour. The 1-mile path meanders through a Fremont cottonwood/Goodding willow riparian environment, one of five in Arizona and 20 in the world.  For more information about the Jail Trail, stop by the old Jail Visitors Center or call 928-634-9468

However you choose to spend you day, I know you won't be sorry.  It's easy to see why Historic Old Town Cottonwood is developing a reputation as a haven for Gourmet Food and Specialty Wines made in Arizona and why it's worth the drive... and maybe even a stay over weekend!

Check out the Specialty Tasting Rooms in Cottonwood:

WINE TASTING ROOMS

Pillsbury Wine Company Tasting Room and Gallery
1012 North Main  -  928 639-0646    pillsburywine.com
New Wine Release - August 4, 5, 6 with Sam Pillsbury
Sommelier’s Choice:  $8   The Staff's top wine picks featured at the tasting room  - Many Tasting Options Including Wine and Chocolate Pairing 


PLUS - Take advantage of this special offer for LunchClub or JustMyTicket Members.  Recieve 15% off your purchase of 3 bottles and 1/2 off each glass at Pillsbury Wine company! 
(Offer good at Pillsbury Wine Company only!  Give Code LC -for LunchClub - or JMT - for Just My Ticket - when purchasing.)


AZ Stronghold Vineyard Tasting Room  -  1023 N Main Street    -     928-639-2789  azstronghold.com
Tasting of Local Arizona Wines:  $9 for 5 wines

The Wine Cellar  -  1029 N Main   -  928 649-0444  Website Coming
Tasting: 4 wines for $10    

The Vineyard - 1001 N. Main St.  -  (928) 634-2440

Rendevous  -  77 N Main Street   -   928 634-3777   Riotcottonwood.com
Flight of Arizona Crafted Beers:  $8

GOURMET FOOD SHOPS

Bonne Lait - Artisan Cheese and Chocolates  - 926 N Main St - 928 634-5535 Bonne Lait on Facebook
Bonne Lait Cheese Tastings: 6 Artisan cheeses for $7, 15% off cheese purchase with tasting

Crema Cafe & Creamery - Small Batch Artisan Gelato and Sorbets  -  917 N Main St  - 928 649-5785
cremacoffeeandcreamery.com
Gelato Flight:    $ 7 for 4 tasting scoops   Crema's gelato flight complements the Old Town wine tasting experience. Dark chocolate, honey lavender vanilla drizzled with balsamic reduction, fresh strawberry & cucumber sorbet. Crema uses balsamic vinegar from the neighboring Verde Valley Olive Oil Traders.

Verde Valley Olive Oil Traders - Gourmet Olive Oils & Vinegars  -  1014 N Main  - 928 634-9900 vvoliveoil.com
Complimentary Tastings  -  Experience a European tradition In the center of Old Town. Indulge in complementary tastings of 36 imported varieties of Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Aged Balsamic Vinegars.

Orion Bread Company - The Art of Bread    -  1028 N. Main  -  928 649-1557   www.orionbread.com/
Complimentary Artisan Bread Samples

Directions to Historic Old Town Cottonwood:

From Phoenix:  Take I-17 North - Exit at Camp Verde Exit 287 - Head East on 260 Toward Cottonwood & Jerome for 10 Miles - When 260 intersects with Main Street / State Rt 89A / Historic 89A Turn Left - When State Rt 89A separates at Light Stay on Main Street / Historic 89A straight to Old Town Cottonwood.   For more information, please call Pillsbury Wine Company at 928 639-0646

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