Good news, fellow oenophiles. You don’t have to travel to the South of France or Italy to find great wine. Instead, leave your passport at home and discover Arizona’s up-and-coming wine scene. While Arizona may conjure up visions of saguaro cactus and an arid desert landscape, the state is home to three fruitful wine-growing regions – the Verde Valley, Wilcox and Sonoita. And many of the state’s best vineyards have tasting rooms right in Old Town! Here’s where you can fill your glass with great wine in Scottsdale.
LDV WINERY
LDV’s Old Town Scottsdale bottle shop and tasting room lets you sample the award-winning wine produced at their Southeastern Arizona estate vineyard via wine flights or by the glass or bottle. The tasting room has a roomy indoor dining room and a shaded patio that’s suitable for nosing your glass and savoring small bites from the menu. Check LDV’s website for a schedule of wine-centric events and live music.
Merkin Vineyards
An assembly of wines make their way from Merkin’s Wilcox and Verde Valley vineyards to Old Town Scottsdale. The Scottsdale tasting room offers a welcoming, friendly approach to wine tasting and the knowledgeable staff are eager to answer your questions or fill your glass. Here, Arizona ingredients take center plate in noshables like the artisanal charcuteries and crave-worthy house gelato and sorbetto, all of which pair effortlessly with the ample wine selection.
Carlson Creek Vineyards
Carlson Creek Vineyards’ Scottsdale wine tasting bar is outfitted with wine barrels and barstool seating along the distressed copper bar, which effortlessly complements the bespoke art deco tin ceiling. The Old Town Scottsdale tasting room – one of three Carlson Creek tasting rooms in the state – offers more than 13 rotating varietals as well as a custom assortment of snacky things like artisan cheese and marinated olives.
Postino
With an unbeatable happy hour and an eclectic vibe, Postino’s inviting living room-esque atmosphere (if your living room had its own bar) and a wine list that goes on for days have landed this spot high on the list of the best wine bars in Scottsdale. The bruschetta boards are practically a Postino trademark and are not to be missed. And bites like the crispy cauliflower, petite filet skewers, and tuna tartare are solid starters, too.
Scapegoat Beer & Wine Bar
Scapegoat is a popular destination for craft beer and wine in Scottsdale that brings in crowds of locals and visitors alike. The laidback bar and eatery offers a robust selection of wines from around the world and locally-crafted beer brewed right here in Arizona. Scapegoat’s menu is brimming with shareable dishes that range from savory bruschetta to hummus served alongside pita and veggies.
Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn
Tucked away inside the historic Hermosa Inn, Lon’s provides an unparalleled wine-and-dining experience. Shaded by a canopy of lush trees and outfitted with adobe fireplaces, Lon's welcoming, rustic patio sets the scene for an unforgettable dining experience, replete with an award-winning wine selection. Venture into the subterranean wine cellar for a one-of-kind culinary adventure that’s only available by reservation.
FnB
With a reputation as the best wine bar in Scottsdale, Old Town’s FnB Restaurant ticks all the boxes when it comes to great wine and incomparable seasonally inspired, veggie-forward cuisine by James Beard Award-winning Chef Charleen Badman. This modest indie restaurant has indoor seating and an outdoor patio space that’s peppered with palm trees – a serene setting to enjoy local wine if there ever was one.
Wine Girl
Decorated with lush green plants, wicker furniture, and glowing neon signs, Wine Girl is practically Pinterest brought to life – with the addition of wine, of course. Wine Girl offers a selection of rotating wines on tap as well as a reserve bottle list, wine flights and a short list of bar bites and flatbreads to snack on between sips. And it’s all served up in an airy Instagram-worthy setting in the heart of Old Town.
Aridus Wine Company
Taking up residence in a former gallery space, this Scottsdale wine tasting bar offers the same warm and comfortable atmosphere as it’s Wilcox counterpart. Wine bottles are neatly positioned in contemporary shelving units and handsome overstuffed chairs are set throughout the space, providing ample room to relax with your favorite varietal.
Salvatore Vineyards
Salvatore Vineyards shows no shortage of attention to detail when crafting their small-batch wines. The intimate tasting room and winery in Old Town Scottsdale gives wine lovers the opportunity to taste through crisp whites and artistically blended, complex reds in a warm setting just steps away from the Arts District.
