The villages of Sonoita and Elgin were recently torn apart from hail storms. By all reports the hail size ranged up to golf ball sized and was massive in its reach across the area damaging crops and anything else in its path.
“Why is this of any importance?” You’re probably asking. The Sonoita/Elgin area is the heart of southern Arizona’s wine region…yes we have one (several actually), and yes they’re very good.
The decimation of the grape crops has been, by most accounts, so complete that a half dozen or so (out of a little over nearly thirty statewide) of the area’s vineyards will not produce wine this year, The few that are going to try will be producing limited varieties and a few are going to attempt to make nothing more than a rose’ this year to maximize the crop yield. Some will purchase grapes from outside vineyards in the Willcox area (another excellent wine region that was untouched by the storm) and some may go as far as California for additional product.
The northern Arizona wine region in the Cottonwood/Sedona area, while strong and untouched by weather issues, currently only produce enough grapes to meet their normal production levels and can spare little to be sold as bulk to outside wineries.
The current mantra for many people these days trying to live healthier more responsible lives is to “Buy local and support the nearby farmers and ranchers.”, and, the often over used term, “sustainable”. At times like this when “neighbors” probably need us the most we should probably be seeking them out the most. As I understand it customers of many of these vineyards have shown up unannounced bearing rakes, shovels and other implements to help salvage what can be for this year and prepare the vines as much as they can for next year. Many of us may not have the time or physical ability to do something like that but we may be able to make a day trip or two to one or more of the vineyards and purchase some excellent (and in many cases multiple award winning) wine from someone who may become a future friend as well.
For those who can’t travel easily places like BevMo, AJ’s, Total Wine, AZ Wine and Sportman’s have wonderful local wine sections at reasonable prices.
For information on all of the vineyards here in Arizona you can contact the Arizona Vines and Wines at http://arizonavinesandwines.com
