Grape Expectations in Southeast Arizona

GRAPE EXPECTATIONS WINE TOUR OF SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA BY MICHAEL FAMIGLIETTI

SONOITA VINEYARDS, ELGIN Opened by Dr. Gordon Dutt more than 30 years ago, the Sonoita region's first commercial vineyard offers gourmet cheese, six to eight wines and a souvenir glass at its $3 tastings, as well as the winery's three annual festivals, including the Blessing of the Vines that takes place each April. Open daily 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. CONTACT: (520) 455-5893; www.sonoitavineyards.com. GETTING THERE: From Tucson, take Interstate 10 east to State Route 83. Drive south on State 83 to State Route 82 and turn left (east), driving for about 8 miles to Upper Elgin Road. Beyond the town of Elgin, continue on the same road, which changes to Elgin-Canelo Road, where the winery sits 3 miles south of Elgin.

CALLAGHAN VINEYARDS, ELGIN As Arizona's most well-known and respected vineyard, Callaghan leads the way with its wines aged in French oak casks. Keep the glass from this vineyard's $3 tastings, which happen each weekend, Friday through Sunday.

CONTACT: (520) 455-5322; www.callaghanvineyards.com. GETTING THERE: From Tucson, take 1-10 to 83 and turn right, driving 28 miles to Elgin Road. Turn left (east) and drive 3 miles to the vineyard.

CHARRON VINEYARDS, SONOITA This vineyard's startling white merlot seizes enthusiasts at its online store, at weekend tastings and during its three festivals, two on site and one in Tempe at the Tempe Festival of the Arts. The winery will custom-label limited quantities of the wine upon request. CONTACT: (520) 762-8585; www.charronvineyards.com. GETTING THERE: From Tucson, take 1-10 east to 83 and drive south for approximately 6 miles to an unmarked, unpaved road on the left-hand side where you will see a group of mailboxes. Turn onto that road and follow it for about a half-mile, then make a righthand turn to the winery entrance.

THE VILLAGE OF ELGIN WINERY, ELGIN For just a buck, customers can sample up to four of the 15 wines offered at this tasting room, where wine accessories, T-shirts and postcards are sold in the winery's gift shop. CONTACT: (520) 455-9309; www.elginwines.com. GETTING THERE: From Sonoita, take Upper Elgin Road to the Village Complex in downtown Elgin.

KEELING-SCHAEFER VINEYARDS, PEARCE Leaving their boxy offices for the romantic life on a vineyard, partners Rod Keeling and Jan Schaefer ventured into the business of wine growing in 2000. The vineyard's location at the foot of the Chiricahua Mountains, combined with hot days, cool nights and the sandy, red soil help create a special Arizona character to their Rhone-style wines. Their Three Sisters Syrah 2005 will be released in May. Tastings and tours by appointment only. CONTACT: (520) 824-2500; www.keelingschaefervineyards.com. GETTING THERE: From Tucson, take 1-10 east for 67 miles to U.S Route 191 south. Drive 28 miles to State Route 181 and turn left onto State 181, Follow 181 as it turns north to Rock Creek Road and turn right. The vineyard sits a mile down the road.PERSONAL TOUCH Individually filled and corked during one labor-intensive 6 A.M. to 4 P.M. day by 81-year-old owner Leo Cox and his friends, every bottle of Charron Vineyards' white merlot receives a hand-applied label.