This site helps you plan wine tours in Southern Arizona: the wine regions within reach of Tucson, the kinds of tours available, how to plan a day around a celebration or a group, and how to get the most out of a tasting trip. The articles below go into specific occasions and ideas. This page is the overview.

Southern Arizona’s wine regions

• Sonoita and Elgin: high grassland southeast of Tucson, about an hour away, and home to Arizona’s first American Viticultural Area, recognized in 1984. Many small, family-run tasting rooms. See the Sonoita wine country guide.
• Willcox: further east, where much of Arizona’s wine grapes are grown. Its own AVA was recognized more recently. Some Willcox wineries have tasting rooms there and elsewhere in the state.
• Patagonia and the surrounding area, close to Sonoita, with shops, food and scenery that pair well with a wine day.

Types of wine tours

• Small-group guided tours with a set route and a guide who knows the wineries.
• Private tours for couples or groups that want their own schedule and stops.
• Shuttle service that handles the driving while you choose the wineries. See the wine tour shuttle guide.
• Food and wine tours built around lunch or pairings.
• Behind-the-scenes visits, where some wineries offer vineyard walks or barrel tastings by arrangement. See behind-the-scenes wine tours.

Planning a tour for an occasion

Anniversaries and couples

A private or small-group tour with a relaxed pace, a lunch stop with a view, and a bottle to take home makes for an easy celebration. See planning an anniversary wine tour day.

Birthdays, bachelorette parties and reunions

Groups need more planning: reservations at tasting rooms that can handle larger parties, transportation for everyone, food for the day, and options for non-drinkers. See crafting the perfect group wine tour.

Corporate and team outings

Book well ahead, confirm group sizes with each winery, and plan for a shared meal. Make sure transportation is arranged for everyone, not just the people who planned it.

When to go

• Spring and fall bring the most comfortable weather, and fall is harvest season.
• Summer in the high country is cooler than Tucson, but monsoon storms from July into September can bring lightning and road closures.
• Winter is quiet, with crisp days and occasional cold snaps.

Many tasting rooms are open limited days, often weekends, and hours change seasonally. Tour operators usually know who’s open, but double-check if you’re planning on your own.

Making the most of the day

1. Visit three or four wineries, not six.
2. Eat a real meal and drink water throughout the day.
3. Ask the staff about the grapes; many are varieties you won’t find in most wine shops.
4. Take notes or photos of labels you liked.
5. Bring a cooler for bottles; a hot car can ruin wine quickly.
6. Leave time to enjoy the scenery between stops.

See reds and whites of Sonoita wine country and Southern Arizona’s wine and food gems.

What to bring

• Photo ID; you’ll be asked to show it at tasting rooms.
• Water, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
• A light jacket or layer; the high country can be cooler and windier than Tucson.
• Comfortable shoes for gravel paths and vineyard walks.
• A cooler or insulated wine bag if you’re driving and plan to buy bottles.
• A payment card, plus some cash for gratuity.
• Snacks, if your tour doesn’t include lunch.

Choosing a tour company

• Check that the company is licensed and insured for passenger transportation.
• Ask what’s included: tasting fees, lunch, water, gratuity.
• Ask about group size and whether you’ll share the vehicle.
• Ask about the cancellation policy, especially for monsoon weather.
• Read recent reviews from several sources.

Beyond the tasting rooms

Round out a trip with Patagonia’s shops and galleries, a picnic or walk at a state park, birding along creek corridors, or a stop at one of Tucson’s own attractions on the way back. Arizona State Parks and Visit Tucson list nearby options, and the Sonoita-Elgin Chamber of Commerce covers local events.

For more on individual wineries, see the Southern Arizona wineries guide and the Sonoita wine tasting guide. For the basics in one place, see the complete guide to Southern Arizona wine tours. The newest articles on this site are listed below.