Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Sonoita proper is little more than a crossroads with a few shops and restaurants, but
surrounding the community are miles of rolling grasslands that are a mix of luxury-home
“ranchettes” and actual cattle ranches, all of which have spectacular big-sky views. Out
on those high plains, more than just deer and antelope play. Oenophiles roam, as well.
With eight wineries between Sonoita and Elgin, this is Arizona's biggest little wine coun-
try (there are also concentrations of wineries to the east of here near Willcox and in the
Sedona area of central Ariz.). Most of the wineries are located in or near the village of
Elgin, which is 10 miles east of Sonoita. The following are my favorite area wineries.
Remember that most area wineries will give you a discount on your tasting if you bring
a glass from another area winery.
Right in Sonoita, you'll find
Dos Cabezas WineWorks,
3248 Ariz. 82 (
&
520/455-
5141;
www.doscabezaswinery.com), which is located in the middle of town. The winery's
tasting room is open Thursday through Sunday from 10:30am to 4:30pm ($7 tasting
fee). Just west of Elgin, you'll find
Callaghan Vineyards
, 336 Elgin Rd. (
&
520/455-
5322;
www.callaghanvineyards.com), which is open for tastings Friday through Sunday
from 11am to 3pm ($7 tasting fee). This winery produces by far the best wines in the
region and, arguably, the best wines in the state. Next door to Callaghan is
Canelo Hills
Vineyard & Winery,
342 Elgin Rd. (
&
520/455-5499;
www.canelohillswinery.com), a
small winery with a casual tasting room in the winery itself. Owners Joan and Tim Muel-
ler produce some excellent wines in the $20 to $30 range. The tasting room is open
Friday through Sunday from 11am to 4pm. ($5 tasting fee). Next door to this winery is
Kief-Joshua Vineyards,
370 Elgin Rd. (
&
520/455-5582;
www.kj-vineyards.com),
which boasts the most ostentatious tasting room in the area. It's open Friday through
Sunday from 11am to 5pm ($5 tasting fee). As of 2009, all the wines here were being
made with California grapes.
WHERE TO STAY
In Patagonia
Duquesne House B&B
This old adobe building 1 block off Patagonia's main
street was built in 1898 as miners' apartments. The unusual little building, with its shady
front porch, is your best choice for overnight accommodations in Patagonia. Each unit
has its own entrance, sitting room, and bedroom, and is decorated in quintessentially
Southwestern style. My favorite room has an ornate woodstove and claw-foot tub. At the
back of the house, an enclosed porch overlooks the garden.
357 Duquesne Ave. (P.O. Box 162), Patagonia, AZ 85624.
&
520/394-2732.
www.theduquesnehouse.
com. 4 units. $125 double. Rate includes full breakfast. No credit cards.
In room:
A/C, Wi-Fi, no phone.
In Sonoita
Xanadu Ranch GetAway
To “B” or not to “B,” that is the question at Xanadu
Ranch, which calls itself a hybrid B&B. What this means is that you can opt for a break-
fast basket or not, your choice. You can also opt to bring your own horse with you, if you
wish, as this place is also a “horse motel.” The ranch owners, Bernie and Karen Kauk,
don't offer horseback riding, but they can put you in touch with people who do. Rooms
are spacious and comfortable and the setting, on a hill south of town, provides great
views and awesome sunsets. Despite the name, the Bunkhouse is both the nicest (and
newest) room on the ranch.
92 S. Los Encinos Rd. (P.O. Box 345), Sonoita, AZ 85637.
&
520/455-0050.
www.xanaduranchgetaway.
com. 4 units. $89-$124 double. AE, DISC, MC, V. Pets accepted ($5 per night).
In room:
AC, TV/DVD, fridge,
Wi-Fi.
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