Checking out the Arizona wine scene at Caduceus Cellars

It was the first day of fall when we dropped by Caduceus Cellars tasting room in the historic town of Jerome, Arizona. If you have heard of Arizona wines then chances are that Caduceus Cellars has been included in that discussion. Caduceus Cellars is on the Verde Valley Wine Trail, one of three Arizona wine regions. Given that the Sedona area attracts over four million visitors each year, this gives local tasting rooms and wineries a great opportunity to promote Arizona wines. Arizona may not be a place that you normally associate with wine; however, the Arizona wine scene appears to be growing quickly. Spaswinefood took advantage of recent Sedona area visits to see what is happening on the northern Arizona wine scene.

View from the Mountains above Jerome © Spaswinefood

View from Jerome © Spaswinefood

First, let us take a brief look at the history of Arizona wines. The Spanish missionaries first produced Arizona wines, like in the other southwestern states, as sacramental wine. Since the mid-1970's Arizona winemakers have been working hard to produce good Arizona wines. The first success stories came from southeast Arizona vineyards. In recent years northern Arizona winemakers are achieving similar results. Caduceus Cellars is one of the places where this is happening. It is indeed fascinating to check out Arizona wines.

If you are wondering where in Arizona that you will find vineyards, then think high elevation. Arizona vineyards are located in the high desert. The elevation of these vineyards ranges between 3800 ft. to 6000 ft. At this elevation the hot days and cool nights result in good grape growing conditions. For more information on Arizona wines check out Snooth and Wine-seacher. 

Arizona Winemakers in the News

When you research Arizona wines there are certain winemaker's names that emerge. One of these names is Maynard James Keenan (winemaker and rock musician) at Caduceus Cellars (see story). His name sometimes appears with Glomski, winemaker at Page Spring Cellars.  Keenan and Glomski founded Arizona Stronghold Vineyards. Today Keenan produces his wines under two labels (Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards) which are available at his Jerome tasting room. His Caduceus Cellars wines are also available at Forty Eight Wineworks, a winemakers co-operative in Clarksville.

Caduceus Cellars, Jerome © spaswinefood

Dan Sorenson describes the recent history and speculates on the future of the Arizona wine industry. Some of the recent happenings in Arizona's wine regions are highlighted in an Edie Jarolim's article. Richard Ruelas provides a list of Arizona wineries to visit. Spaswinefood was anxious to discover first hand some of the excitement about Arizona wines in the Verde Valley. After doing earlier tastings at a number of Verde Valley wineries and tasting rooms I visited Caduceus Cellars in Jerome.

Wine Tasting at Caduceus Cellars, Jerome © spaswinefood

Caduceus Cellars

The wines that I tasted at Caduceus Cellars included:


1) Caduceus Dos Ladrones 2013

Caduceus Do Ladrones 2013 © Spaswinefood

2) Merkin Vineyards, Shinola Rosado 2013

Merkin Vineyards, Shinola Rosado 2013 © Spaswinefood 

3. Caduceus Marzo 2013

Caduceus Marzo 2013 © Spaswinefood

4. Merkin Vineyards Chupacabra Rosa 2013

Merkin Vineyards Chupacabra Rosa 2013 © Spaswinefood

5. Caduceus Lei Li 2013

Caduceus Lei Li 2013 © Spaswinefood

6. Caduceus Naga 2012

Caduceus Naga 2012 © Spaswinefood

7. Caduceus Anubis 2012

Caduceus Anubis 2012 © Spaswinefood

I enjoyed my tasting at Caduceus Cellars. The wines were fine. My favorites were the Dos Ladrones 2013, Naga 2012 and Anubis 2012. I will not be surprised to hear great things about Keenan's wines in the future. Joe Roberts and Mike Rosenberg have described some of the wines produced by Keenan. After the wine tasting we ate lunch then headed to check out the Forty Eight Wineworks, an Arizona winemakers co-operative in Clarksville. While at Caduceus Cellars and Forty Eight Wineworks the Arizona wines that we tasted were mainly produced from grapes grown in southern Arizona.  

Forty-Eight Wineworks © Spaswinefood

I am naturally disappointed when I visit Arizona tasting rooms and the wines are made from grapes not grown in Arizona. It would be great to taste more Arizona wines in the future, especially from northern Arizona. I guess patience is needed, after all the wine industry in Arizona is still young.

Forty-Eight Wineworks Tasting Room © Spaswinefood

Chances are if your travels take you to the Sedona area you will include a visit to Caduceus Cellars. Also, do not forget to check out Forty Eight Wineworks. Yes, there is lots of excitement on the Verde Valley Wine Trail. For further information on the Verde Valley Wine Trail consult Verde Valley wineries and vineyards and the Northern Arizona Wine Trail. For further suggestions on wineries and tasting rooms to visit you might also check out Sedona area wine tours and a beginner’s guide. 

It is no doubt that Arizona wine regions have been buzzing with excitement in recent years. If you are looking for recommendations for Verde Valley tasting rooms to visit then put Caduceus Cellars on your list. Yes, my Spaswinefood's northern Arizona wine country explorations on the Verde Valley Wine Trail have provided me with insights into the recent developments in Arizona wines. I invite you to join me in my travels in Arizona and elsewhere in search of the best in Spaswinefood. You may also visit my travel column at the Examiner. 

Sharon

September 2014

Sedona, Arizona

© Spaswinefood

  

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook