Arizona Stronghold Vineyards (ASV), founded in 2007, is the largest family-owned winery in Arizona, dedicated to producing world-class wines exclusively from Arizona-grown grapes. Their main vineyard, Bonita Springs Vineyard, is located near Willcox in southeastern Arizona’s high desert, an area known for its unique terroir with deep clay loam soils and cobbles, remnants of an ancient seabed. The vineyard lies within the Willcox AVA, one of Arizona’s three American Viticultural Areas, characterized by high elevations between 3,500 and 5,500 feet, warm days, and cool nights ideal for grape growing.
ASV cultivates a broad variety of grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Malvasia Bianca, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and several others, sourcing additional fruit from nearby vineyards across Arizona such as Elgin, Young, Kingman, and the Verde Valley. Their winemaking style is described as modern European, focusing on balance and terroir expression rather than heavy manipulation, aiming to showcase the originality and wild character of the Arizona landscape in every bottle.
The winery operates two tasting rooms in Old Town Cottonwood and Old Town Scottsdale, offering visitors a relaxed atmosphere with wine tastings, tapas, and live music, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Their wines include the Site Archive series, Provisioner wines, and signature regional blends, all meticulously crafted to highlight the fierce and wild Arizona terrain.
Arizona Stronghold is recognized for pioneering quality winemaking in a region once considered a hidden gem, now gaining respect in the wine industry for its unique high desert wines that rival those from more established regions. They also offer wine clubs with various membership levels, providing benefits like free tastings and exclusive access to events.
In summary, Arizona Stronghold Vineyards embodies the spirit and terroir of Arizona through diverse, high-quality wines grown in the state’s high desert, supported by a strong commitment to local farming, innovation, and community engagement.
