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This is a refreshing article about the wineries that are popping up in Arizona. Most people don't think of Arizona as a place where good wine comes from. This article lists several wineries in Arizona that a wine lover can visit. I have never tried Arizona wines, but would be very interested in anyone's experience with them.

Arizona has always been a certain kind of place in the national psyche. It was the setting for untold B-Movies-the "oaters"-as the cheaply made westerns were often called. The hero thundering through the chaparral on a big white horse chasing cattle rustlers off the heroine's ranch personified best by John Wayne was a staple of the 1930's. It cemented Arizona's image as America's own real live desert to a nation of moviegoers, most who would never see a saguaro cactus in person. What most people don't know is Arizona's image as a desert is a small part of the picture. There is much, much more to it than the grand canyon, ranches, and cactus.

Ranching will always be a part of Arizona's image, but there is a new kind of wrangling going on here, and horses aren't a part of it. The humble grape is making itself into quite a celebrity in diverse places such as Benson, Elgin, Jerome, Sedona, and Cornville. Arizona's rich diversity of climate and topography have allowed grapegrowers the opportunity create a foothold in some of the most unlikely wine country in the U.S.

Or is it all that unlikely? Arizona has long been an under-appreciated agricultural producer. Besides the cotton and citrus we are known for, Arizona produces many grain crops, as well as a thriving dairy industry. Arizona's strong agricultural tradition is not well known, and what most people don't know is that the soil and climate in several locations in the state provide ideal conditions for numerous kinds of grape. After all, wasn't it in the Mediterranean that winemaking originally flourished? Dry warm conditions are perfectly acceptable to many grapes, and Arizona has that in spades.

Another factor that makes Arizona an excellent place to visit for a wine country getaway is the chance to see the natural rugged beauty of the state. You can visit the Sedona area, which has several wineries in close proximity to the red rock city. Hundreds of thousands of people make the short drive annually from Phoenix just to see Sedona itself. It is an enchanting place to visit, and adding stops to local vineyards will only enhance the trip. Bed and breakfasts are the rule year, and you will certainly not lack for things to see. Echo Canyon Vineyards, Jerome Winery, and Oak Creek Vineyard are all part of the Northern Trail of Arizona Vineyards. There are numerous more being planned.

If you visit the Southern Trail of Arizona wine country, you will have to hit the Sonoita Vineyards, the vineyard that made winemaking happen in Arizona. Just southeast of Tucson, the area boosts numerous vineyards, and boasts some of the most popular wines to come out of Arizona. Many wines of the area have been honored nationally and internationally, even by the usually less than impressed French media. The southeast Trail is also the home to the "Island in the Sky", a wonderfully unique and spiritual land where rock rises out of the ground in breathtaking spires and bluffs. Beautiful country is the norm here.

If you haven't the time to make the drive to these spots in the southeast, you can still enjoy a wine sojourn in the Phoenix metro area. Kokopelli Vineyards has established a winery and restaurant in Chandler, to bring their fine products closer to the city denizens. Their actual vineyard lies in the southeast of the state, so this is as easy as it gets for a taste of going to wine country if you have only a few hours instead of days. There is also a Cave Creek extension of Dos Cabezas Wineworks, where you can sample some of the well-respected vineyard's best. Visit www.arizonawines.com for information on the Arizona wine trail, as well as info on place to visit, area accommodations, and information on how to contact state vineyards.

Arizona's growth portends great things for the prospects of winemaking in the state. More and more people are being exposed to the state's least known but perhaps most enjoyable product. The benefit of it not being well-known yet is that you as can enjoy a quiet, unrushed visit to prime wine country, where you are likely to get personal service from the pioneering owners of Arizona's next great agricultural industry.

Topher Race is a nom de plume and alter-ego of the author, a useful disguise to hide loafing at his dayjob, while his time is better utilized by writing. He resides in Phoenix, Arizona. He writes fact-like-fiction short stories, which may never be available commercially. Come and see my blog Click Here!

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