As an Arizona local and a self-proclaimed wine enthusiast… believe me when I say this post about the best wineries in Sedona has been in the making for years!
Quick backstory… over the past several years, I’ve had the pleasure of traveling to some of the most well-known wine regions across the United States, including Temecula Valley in Southern California, the Finger Lakes in Upstate New York, and the Willamette Valley in Oregon. But I have to say — as fabulous as those wine regions are, there is truly no place like home, and I definitely have a special place in my heart for the wineries in the Verde Valley, located right next to Sedona, Arizona!
I’ve visited many of the wineries in Sedona more than once (and I’ve been to my favorite winery more than a dozen times — my dogs have even been featured on their Instagram. Is that embarrassing?). All jokes aside, I think I’ve got a pretty good idea of what it takes to plan a fantastic trip to Sedona’s wineries. Below, I’ll share some details about Sedona’s wine country, including the top wineries to visit and the best wine tours to book from Sedona. Let’s do it!
Disclosure: Some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links, meaning that I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. This helps me keep the content on my website free for you to enjoy!
Where Is the Verde Valley Wine Trail… & How Far Is It from Sedona?
Okay, first things first. I have some shocking news to deliver. You’ll probably find “wine tasting” on almost every list of the best things to do in Sedona (including my own!)… so you’d assume there are tons of wineries and tasting rooms in Sedona, right? Nope — wrong.
There is literally one tasting room in all of Sedona (it’s called Winery 1912, if you’re wondering!). All the other wineries that are “in” Sedona are technically a 20–30 minute drive from Sedona on the Verde Valley Wine Trail, which winds through Cornville, Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Camp Verde, and Jerome. The Verde Valley is one of Arizona’s three wine regions, and the only one located north of Phoenix. The other two wine regions (Sonoita and Wilcox) are further south.
The fact that there technically aren’t wineries in Sedona is a common misconception (understandably so!), so I thought I’d put it front and center before getting too deep into the region’s top wineries. That said, you will need a vehicle to explore the best wineries in Sedona, or you’ll need to book a wine-tasting tour with round-trip transportation to and from Sedona.
Top Wine Tours to Experience the Best Wineries in Sedona
If you aren’t planning to have a car in Sedona (or even if you will have a car and don’t want to worry about designating a driver while wine tasting!), wine tours are one of the best and most convenient ways to visit the popular wineries in the Verde Valley without a vehicle.
Most wine tours include round-trip transportation from your hotel or vacation rental, or from a central meeting point in Sedona, and stops at three or four wineries in the Verde Valley (some tours include tastings, and others do not, which is reflected in the overall tour price). These top-rated tours are all spectacular choices for wine-tasting tours from Sedona:
- Verde Valley Vineyards Wine Tasting Tour — This wine tasting tour by Sedona Vineyard Tours has a 4.6/5 star rating and includes stops at four of the most popular wineries in Sedona (including some of my favorites!), such as Alcantara Vineyards and DA Ranch, as well as a picnic lunch. You’ll also receive discounts at each winery!
- All-Inclusive Sedona Winery Tour w/ Lunch & Tastings — Unlike most winery tours in Sedona, this tour by Arizona Winery Tours includes transportation to and from three popular wineries in Sedona and 5–6 tastings at each winery, as well as lunch. The stops include Page Springs Cellars, Oak Creek Vineyards, and Cove Mesa Vineyard.
- Sedona’s Most Luxurious Wine Tour w/ Lunch — This top-rated wine tour by Bliss Wine Tours has a 4.6/5 star rating and more than 500 reviews, making it an easy choice for a day of wine tasting in Sedona! This tour includes lunch and stops at Alcantara Vineyards, Cove Mesa Vineyard, DA Ranch, and Javelina Leap, where you’ll receive discounts on tasting and glasses of wine at each winery.
When Is the Best Time of Year to Visit the Wineries in Sedona?
I’ve visited the wineries in Sedona during every season, and I can honestly say there isn’t a bad time to visit the Verde Valley — the best season to visit truly depends on your preferences!
My personal favorite seasons to visit the wineries in Sedona are summer and fall, from June to November. The wineries aren’t too crowded during these times (unlike spring), but the weather is also comfortable enough to be outside (unlike winter). However, each season does have its perks, so you might prefer one over the other. Here’s my breakdown:
Spring
Spring (March – May) is undoubtedly the best season to visit Sedona, with the beautiful blooming flowers on the trails (especially later in spring) and temperate weather for hiking and sightseeing. While spring is a great time to visit Sedona, it’s also an extremely popular time to visit, so expect the wineries to be busy — especially on the weekends.
Summer
Summer (June – September) is my favorite time to visit the wineries in Sedona as a Phoenix local. We’ll often take a day trip to Sedona to escape the heat in the Valley during the summer months and cool off with a glass of wine (or sangria!) at one of our favorite wineries.
While the temperatures are still hot, the wineries are usually super green from the monsoon storms, and many have misters, shaded areas, and places to sit indoors to keep cool. Summer is also not a very popular time to visit Sedona because of the heat, making it a great time for wine tasting. You won’t have to deal with crowds and can snag great hotel prices!
Fall
Fall (October – November) is another beautiful time to visit Sedona, especially if you travel north to see the falling leaves in Oak Creek Canyon on one of my favorite hikes, like West Fork Trail.
The temperatures will start to become a little chillier, but it’s still not too cold for hiking or wine tasting if you bundle up — and if you time it right, the changing leaves at the wineries are gorgeous! Fall is another busy season in Sedona, so plan for moderate crowds at the wineries.
Winter
Winter (December – February) is a great time to visit Sedona if you want to snag a hotel deal. Winter is the slowest season in Sedona, as the weather gets too cold for hiking, and snow is likely at some point (a beautiful sight on the red rocks!).
However, if you’re not a fan of crowds, winter is a great time to visit the Sedona wineries. Even though the cold weather keeps most crowds away, the sunshine usually warms up the wineries by the afternoon. Just keep in mind — during winter, the trees and vineyards will be bare, so the winery experience might not be as “picturesque” as the other seasons, if that’s important to you.
Where Should I Stay During a Wine Trip to the Verde Valley?
There are a couple of great options for where to stay during a wine-tasting trip in the Verde Valley. Let me help you decide which is best for you:
- Dreaming of scenic hikes, phenomenal fine-dining experiences, and picturesque red rock views? Stay in Sedona at Arabella Hotel Sedona or L’Auberge de Sedona — this is the best place to stay if you want to spend some time exploring Sedona and want to book one of the round-trip wine tours listed above!
- Looking for a walkable town with small-town charm, local restaurants, boutiques, and tasting rooms? Stay in Old Town Cottonwood at The Tavern Hotel (pictured below — I loved my stay here!) for the most direct access to the most wineries. Many wineries, like Alcantara Vineyard, also operate shuttles to and from Old Town Cottonwood.
- Want to learn more about the mining (and haunted!) history in America’s largest ghost town? Stay in Jerome at The Clinkscale, where you’ll find a handful of tasting rooms and other things to do in Jerome, and you’ll be less than a 30-minute drive from the popular vineyards and tasting rooms in the Verde Valley.
Best Wineries in Sedona
Okay, now that we’ve got all those details out of the way, it’s time to get to the information you came here for — the best wineries in Sedona! If I were planning a wine-tasting trip to Sedona, here are the wineries I would choose, and why I would visit each one, to help you decide which wineries are right for you!
DA Ranch
- Address: 1900 Dancing Apache Rd, Cornville, AZ 86325
- Hours: Wednesday to Sunday (11 AM – 6 PM)
- Tasting Fee: $50 for a vineyard tour and tasting with four wines
- Top Features: Beautiful property, laid-back atmosphere, fantastic wine, and good vibes. If you only have time to visit one winery in Sedona… make it this one!
DA Ranch is by far my favorite winery in Sedona, and, if we’re being honest, it’s my favorite winery period. I have so many great memories of spending time at DA Ranch with my husband, family members, friends, and our golden retrievers (DA Ranch is super dog-friendly!), so this winery has a special place in my heart for sure.
The reason DA Ranch is at the core of so many fond memories is that I keep coming back, time and time again! First of all, the property is truly stunning — the winery sits inside a renovated barn with a rustic-chic design and a wrap-around porch, and the sprawling property features lush lawns, a pond with a water feature, bubbling streams, and more. It’s truly stunning!
And, of course, the wine is spectacular. Red Barn Red, one of their signature red wines, is one of my favorite red wines, and I’ll often purchase a bottle to bring home. I also love ordering a glass of sangria on the weekends, especially in the summer — it’s so refreshing!
I’ve been visiting DA Ranch for years now, and I can honestly say I’ve had a good experience every single time I’ve gone. I highly recommend visiting this winery during a trip to Sedona!
Tip by Brit: DA Ranch is sometimes closed for private events, so be sure to check the website calendar before planning your visit. Believe me… it would be a shame to miss out on visiting this incredible winery during your trip to Sedona!
Page Springs Cellars
- Address: 1500 N. Page Springs Road, Cornville, AZ 86325
- Hours: Sunday to Wednesday (11 AM – 6 PM), Thursday to Saturday (11 AM – 8 PM)
- Tasting Fee: $15 for five wines
- Top Features: Extensive tasting menu, great food, affordable (and generous!) tastings, and stunning views of the Verde River.
Page Springs Cellars is another beautiful winery that is a great spot to visit on a trip to Sedona. I have been here a couple of times now, and I’ve loved the experience each time!
I’ve always thought Page Spring Cellars would be an excellent spot for a girls’ trip or a bachelorette party — the exterior is a whitewashed barn that is super cute, trendy, and modern, and the property is super pretty too… there’s a small deck that overlooks the Verde River and a patio that overlooks the vineyards. It’s really a gorgeous spot to sip on a glass of wine!
Speaking of wine… the wines here are great, and they have a very extensive and diverse range to choose from, from sparkling whites to heavy reds. Page Springs Cellars offers a more “sit-down” tasting experience and a bistro serving a full menu for lunch and dinner (the food is good!), so I recommend stopping here midway through your day of wine tasting to fuel up.
Tip by Brit: Unfortunately, there aren’t many parking spaces at Page Springs Cellars, so if you’re visiting on a weekend, I recommend stopping by around midday (between 12–2 PM) to snag a vacant spot as the early morning wine tasting crew heads out to the next winery.
Alcantara Vineyards
- Address: 445 S Grapevine Way, Camp Verde, AZ 86322
- Hours: Daily (11 AM – 5 PM)
- Tasting Fee: $20 for four wines
- Top Features: Sweeping mountain and vineyard views, laid-back atmosphere, great sangria, and unique tours.
After my husband went on a wine-tasting tour during a guys’ trip to Cottonwood, he came home raving about Alcantara Vineyards… specifically the “mango sangria,” which was “seriously amazing.” Of course, after this kind of enthusiasm… I had to check it out for myself!
After visiting Alcantara Vineyards, I can definitely see what the hype was all about. I’ll be back for sure! My husband didn’t steer me wrong… the sangria was amazing (although I had to forgo the frozen mango chunk in mine since I’m allergic…bummer). However, there was so much more to love about this property as well, particularly the lush, rolling vineyard and beautiful mountain views that gave this property a different feel from the other wineries in Cornville. I loved it!
After learning more about Alcantara Vineyards, I found out they also do all kinds of one-of-a-kind wine tours! You can kayak or stand-up paddleboard on the Verde River (followed by a wine tasting), go horseback riding through the vineyard (also followed by a wine tasting), or get a massage in the vineyard (you guessed it… followed by a glass of wine!). Check out the tours on the website to get the scoop on all these cool experiences.
Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery
- Address: 1555 Page Springs Rd. Cornville, Arizona 86325
- Hours: Monday to Friday (11 AM – 6 PM), Saturday to Sunday (10 AM – 6 PM)
- Tasting Fee: $15 for five wines
Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery is one winery I haven’t been to in Sedona that I’ve been itching to visit for years now! My mom visited on a wine tour and had great things to say, so I feel good recommending it, since she’s my wine-tasting buddy (we go on a wine-tasting trip to Temecula every year, so I know she has good taste!).
Oak Creek Vineyards, like many wineries in Sedona, is a family-friendly and dog-friendly establishment with a laid-back tasting room and a patio. You’ll find both pre-selected and build-your-own flights with a great selection of wines, and the kitchen offers a couple of “snacky” options, like charcuterie and cheese plates. If you visit this winery in Sedona, let me know what you think… I’m hoping to check it out on my next visit!
Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria
- Address: 770 N Verde Heights Dr, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
- Hours: Monday to Thursday (11 AM – 9 PM), Friday to Saturday (11 AM – 10 PM), Sunday (11 AM – 8 PM)
- Tasting Fee: $7–10 for three wines
- Top Features: Sweeping views of Old Town Cottonwood, farm-to-table Italian cuisine, a sit-down restaurant, and gelato!
Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria is one of the most unique winery experiences in the Verde Valley. Located in Cottonwood, this hilltop restaurant is surrounded by a beautiful vineyard and can be reached by a tram that rides directly up from Old Town Cottonwood —how cool is that?
Seriously, this restaurant is stunning, and I think it’s a great way to end your day of wine tasting in the Verde Valley! Not only are the flights affordable and delicious ($10 or less, depending on your wine selection), but the food is fantastic too. The menu features pasta and wood-fired pizza, and there is also an on-site gelateria for dessert after dinner! You can also take a short tour of the Barrel Room, Greenhouse, and Vineyard for $30 per person.
We loved our experience at Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria. We brought our two goldens, and they had a great time as well. The views from the patio were spectacular — I can’t wait to visit again soon!
Tip by Brit: Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria is one of the few wineries in the Verde Valley that takes reservations, so snag your table ahead of time here.
Where Can I Find More Wineries in Sedona?
In addition to the beautiful vineyards in Cornville (plus Merkin Vineyards in Cottonwood, which I just had to sneak onto the list!), here is a list of the other wineries near Sedona you can find in each location along the Verde Valley Wine Trail (click here for a map!)
- Jerome — Jerome has five tasting rooms: Four Eight Wineworks, Caduceus Cellars, The Original Jerome Winery, Passion Cellars, and Cabal Cellars.
- Cottonwood — In addition to Merkin, which I listed earlier, Cottonwood has seven additional tasting rooms: Pillsbury Wine Company, Arizona Stronghold, Tantrum Wine, Cellar 433, Four Eight Wineworks, and DA Vines Vineyards Tasting Room & Bistro.
- Clarkdale — Clarkdale has three tasting rooms: Chateau Tumbleweed, Bodega Pierce, and Southwest Wine Center.
- Cornville and Camp Verde — In addition to the wineries listed above, you’ll also find Salt Mine Wine, Clear Creek Winery, Javelina Leap Vineyard & Winery, and Cove Mesa Vineyard in Cornville and Camp Verde.
Bonus FAQs – Wine Tasting in Sedona
How far are wineries from Sedona?
Most of the wineries on the Verde Valley Wine Trail are about a 20–30 minute drive from Uptown Sedona.
Do you need reservations for wineries in Sedona?
You do not need reservations to visit most wineries in Sedona, unless you’re traveling with a very large group. Some wineries in the Verde Valley that are sit-down restaurants, like Merkin Vineyard Hilltop Winery, do take online reservations. Check each winery’s website for details on reservations before visiting for a smooth, seamless experience.
What wine is Sedona known for?
The Verde Valley outside Sedona is known for its distinctive reds, including Syrah, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as vibrant white wines, such as Viognier and Chardonnay.
Plan a Spectacular Day of Wine Tasting in the Verde Valley During Your Trip to Sedona
Whew. That was a lot of reading… I think you deserve a glass of wine! Haha. Well, it’s a good thing you’ll have no shortage of wine to drink after spending time in the Verde Valley during your trip to Sedona — delicious wine, beautiful views, and unforgettable memories are waiting for you!
Save These Best Sedona Wineries for Your Day of Wine Tasting in the Verde Valley
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Did you find this list of the best wineries in Sedona helpful? Check out my other blog posts about Sedona and Cottonwood to plan a perfect trip to the Verde Valley Wine Country!