52 SEPTEMBER 2019 By Kaylee McClaine With over 110 wineries, vineyards and cellars throughout the state, the options for a wine trip in Arizona are plentiful. As the heat of the summer lingers on, here are a few unique wineries up north to get your planning started: BURNING TREE CELLARS This winery specializes in small batch, boutique wines and offers a wide variety of both traditional and single varietals. Their unique tasting room, a former car dealership, is located in Cottonwood on the main strip of historic downtown. As part of the Grape Train Escape, these boutique wines will be highlighted during the Saturday Night Starlight Ride through the Verde Canyon under the moon and the stars. For more: burningtreecellars.com. WINERY 1912 Located in Sedona, Winery 1912 features 100 percent Arizona-grown Spanish wines and blends that are exclusively sourced from the family’s vineyard in Wilcox. Winery 1912 boasts a unique and historical experience, along with a beautiful view. There are a variety of places to stay in Sedona, including El Portal Sedona Hotel or A Sunset Chateau. For more: winery1912.com. SEDONA WINE ADVENTURES Looking to experience a variety of vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms in one go? Sedona Wine Adventures could be the perfect getaway. The company offers private and personalized tours of wineries throughout the Verde Valley. The Old Town Wine Trail Tour, which lasts seven hours, starts the day off with a tasting and a lunch at either Page Springs Cellars or Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room followed by continued tastings at three more stops, all personalized to the guest’s preference. Sedona Wine Adventures also offers the Vintage Tour. Similar to The Old Town Wine Trail, this tour progresses to historic Jerome. The Vintage Tour not only allows guests to enjoy multiple wineries, but they can also walk around Jerome and explore. Sedona Wine Adventures also offers custom tours or large group outings, in addition to the two previously mentioned tours. For more: sedonawineadventures.com. MERKIN VINEYARDS TASTING ROOM & OSTERIA This family-owned tasting room offers elevation wines and handmade Italian meals. All the wines are produced from the vineyards in both the Verde Valley and Wilcox and all of the pasta and breads are made from scratch. Merkin Vineyards prides itself on offering an authentic and unique experience. Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room & Osteria is located in Old Town Cottonwood. There’s the Iron Horse Inn or The Tavern Hotel to make it a weekend trip and experience Cottonwood. For more: merkinvineyardsosteria.com. Head up north and wine down Burning Tree Cellars in Cottonwood. Winery 1912 in Sedona. Sedona Wine Adventures. Merkin Vineyards in Cottonwood. NEWS BRIEFS FOOD TRUCK ROUNDUP Shemer Art Center has started its food truck roundup for the fall season. On September 18, three to five food trucks will park at the center and offer dinner options such as Chef Wade’s Mac-n-Cheese, The Chicken Coop AZ, Eur Haus and Satay Hut. Take a night off from the kitchen and head to Shemer for dinner. The next roundups will be on October 16 and November 20. For more: shemerartcenter.org. BILTMORE NAIL BAR The Biltmore area welcomed Biltmore Nail Bar at the end of June. Located on the northwest corner of 32nd St. and Camelback, this upscale nail salon offers standard manicure and pedicure services for men, women and children, plus waxing and facial services. Prices range from $30 to $150. Guests are also welcome to check out the VIP room for exclusive amenities and packages. For more: biltmorenailbar.com.

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