Page 46 April 2014 Love of travel reborn during four-day cruise of Mexico By Kaley Kalil Natalie and Nathan Bruer moved to Phoenix from Augusta, GA almost five years ago after getting out of the military. They moved to the Arcadia area about a year ago with their children, Twyla, 5, and James, 3. “We love the Valley. The weather can’t be beat and I love hiking the peaks,” Natalie said. Natalie and Nathan recently enjoyed a four-day cruise out of Long Beach, CA to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico to celebrate Natalie’s 30th birthday. Her parents and two sisters from Oregon joined them. “The evening meals on the ship were fantastic and the service on board was top notch,” Natalie said. “We hit the dance club after dinner every night. We also tried out a piano bar, a magic show and some amazing musical performances. Karaoke was a blast! Nathan tore the roof off the place with ‘Baby Got Back.’ He had everyone out of their seats singing and dancing along.” The Bruers also enjoyed the on-board spa, massages and working out in the fitness room to views of the ocean or the beach. On Catalina Island, they opted to take a kayaking excursion and enjoyed a walking tour, learning about the island’s history and viewing dolphins not too far off the shore. In Ensenada, they rented an all-day golf cart and drove around town, relishing in the fresh fish tacos, exploring a beautiful local winery and riding horses on the beach. “It was so nice having the freedom to go wherever we wanted,” Natalie said. “We did get turned around a bit in the beginning, but that’s what you get with a cart full of backseat drivers and one map!” The rental shop even lent them an iPod Shuffle and speaker system so that they could enjoy some music along with their four-wheel exploration. When asked if she would have changed anything about the cruise, Natalie mentioned the old saying, “Pack half as much clothes as you plan to wear and bring twice as much money as you plan to spend.” “Drinks on the boat were quite expensive; that’s where most of our “fun money” went,” she said. “I would also pay more attention to the newsletter they left in our room every day. It tells you all about the goings-on on the ship. I think we might have explored more of the ship had we known what was going on.” On their next cruise, Natalie hopes to venture down the giant water slide on the top deck, try her hand at the mini putt- putt golf course and partake in a live art auction. Natalie would also very much like to visit Catalina Island again one day. “It has California charm, but still holds a small island town feel. The locals are so friendly and so many of them have lived there their whole lives,” she added. The Bruers definitely plan on taking more cruises in the future, one day with the kids. “I hope that I can give my children the same opportunity [my parents gave me] and open their eyes to that big, wide world out there,” Natalie said. “I want to instill in them an interest and appreciation for other cultures, so they understand how even though we may be different, we are all interconnected.” Traveled Lately? Email Kaley: kaley@arcadianews.com The Bruers celebrate at sea. Follow us on Register before May 1, 2014 Register Today! For More Info Call 602.910.4417 or Visit LittleBigMindsPreschool.com We don’t teach Spanish, we teach IN Spanish. Programs available for children ages 3 to 7. No prior Spanish experience necessary. Visit our website for registration information. • • • Spanish Immersion Summer Camp! Weekly themes include LEGO® Lands, Mad Science, Flavors Around the World, DinoMight and more! THIS EASTER, PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE OF TWO BASKETS. Easter Champagne Brunch Buffet* – Sunday, April 20th Wandering Horse Buffet at Talking Stick Resort - 101 & Indian Bend Adults $47.95, 12 & under $18, 4 & under free The Eagles Buffet at Casino Arizona - 101 & McKellips Adults $26.95, 12 & under $14.95, 4 & under free INSIDE TALKING STICK RESORT 101 & INDIAN BEND TALKINGSTICKRESORT.COM INSIDE TALKING CASINO ARIZONA 101 & MCKELLIPS CASINOARIZONA .COM

Page 47 April 2014 Arizona winery a must see attraction for out-of-towners By Michelle Donati-Grayman Nestled into Verde Valley’s volcanic landscape, natural forests and the pristine banks of Oak Creek, Page Springs Cellars has helped put Arizona wine on the map. But winemaking is only part of the story. The Northern Arizona winery, which sits on 20 planted acres, has a vineyard, production facility and tasting room all in one location, creating a lush haven of red and white varietals that are sure to please any wine lover’s palette. The trend of making wine isn’t new to Arizona. Spanish missionaries pioneered Arizona winemaking back in the 1700s. The movement resurged in the 1970s and has exploded over the last decade. Today, there are more than 80 licensed and bonded wineries across the state, according to the Arizona Wine Growers Association. Arizona wineries are generally located in the northern or southern parts of the state, climates that are ideal for grape growing. The climate at Page Springs is similar to the Mediterranean. Summer highs are usually in the low 90s and drop significantly at night. This fluctuation is important to the components that go into making wine. Owner and head winemaker Eric Glomski fell in love with the site after coming across it in the early 2000s. The family-owned winery is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. So, what sets Page Springs apart from the rest? “Our style of winemaking,” said Susana Meister, wine club and marketing director at Page Springs Cellars. “We pay attention to each batch of fruit that comes in and do a lot of tinkering in the cellar. It’s important to us that we be true to each wine and what it’s expressing.” Unlike other vineyards, Page Springs limits the production of many of its wines – sometimes to only a barrel or two of each. Each barrel generally yields 60 gallons – or 300 bottles – of wine. Glomski collaborates with several vineyards in order to secure the highest quality fruit. “We always make the best wine we can,” Glomski said on Page Springs’ website. “We have a wine-centered philosophy. The market is not driving our winemaking, quality is.” Glomski’s critical palate has paid off. Last year, Page Springs was recognized with a 90-point score by Wine Spectator magazine. The score classified the winery’s Colibri Syrah, Clone 174 as an “outstanding wine of superior character and style.” If you’re not a wine aficionado, don’t worry. The tasting room’s friendly staff will happily guide you through tasting flights as well as the vineyard’s extensive wine menu. A variety of tasting flights are available for $10, which includes a taste of five wines and a souvenir glass. The tasting room currently has more than 17 different wines available for sale. While some of these are only available to wine club members, the majority are available to the public. Bottles range from $16 to $50. In addition to wine, Page Springs also offers massages in the vineyard starting at $30 and vineyard tours at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Tours cost $10 or $20 to add a tasting flight – including a taste of wine pulled from barrel – and a souvenir glass. The tasting room also offers a limited appetizer menu that includes truffle chips, flatbread pizzas, bruschetta and more that range from $5 to $25. Weekends feature live music, and they also tend to be busiest. If you prefer quiet to crowds, consider visiting on a weekday. If you can’t make it to the vineyard, you can pick up a bottle of Page Springs wine at La Grande Orange. The popular Arcadia grocery and eatery carries a limited selection of Arizona wines, including a Page Springs red blend and white blend for $18.99 per bottle. La Grange Orange’s wine curator Kimber Stonehouse says she’s willing to special order any wines at guests’ requests. However, the best way to experience the winery is to make the two-hour trek north to the Verde Valley Wine Trail. “You can come month to month and always find different wines on our tasting menu,” Meister said. “The majority of people who come to visit make a day of it.” Liza Santy KW Luxury Division Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living P . 602-339-4002 F. 480-371-1118 E. Liza@lizasanty.com www.lizasanty.kwrealty.com http://lizasanty.com/ Minutes from top-notch dining, shopping and entertainment yet quiet and secluded. Within 2622 square feet you’ll fi nd 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, a two-way stone fi replace plus spacious living, dining and family rooms. Kitchen, baths, and carpet updated within the past year. The split 4th bedroom is ideal for guests, older teen, or live-in nanny. Outdoor spaces plus an expansive backyard combine for the ideal Scottsdale lifestyle. $639,000 Hidden Gem 5622 N Woodmere Fairway Arcadia-style living in an outstanding location, at a price point you’ll appreciate! Open seven days a week, 365 days a year 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays through- Wednesdays 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays LOCATION: From Phoenix (about a two-hour drive): • Take I-17 NORTH toward Flagstaff • Take Exit 293 • Turn LEFT onto East Cornville Road • Continue 8 miles on East Cornville Road • Turn RIGHT on Page Springs Road • Winery is 3.8 miles ahead on the LEFT side PAGE SPRINGS CELLARS TASTING ROOM HOURS: Verde Valley offers vineyard views. Like us on