Los Milics Vineyards

The setting is quintessential Southern Arizona: rolling hills and grasslands, big sky — if life imitates art, these are Ed Mell paintings — and stunning views of the rugged Mustang and Whetstone mountains. The star of this extravagant nature show is the Mustangs’ northernmost peak, Mount Bruce, locally referred to as “The Biscuit” for its softly rounded summit. There isn’t a telephone pole in sight, the air smells fresh, and the immense quiet is broken only by birdsong or the soft whisper of wind through the vines.

A visitor’s first look at Los Milics invariably impresses. Monolithic metal-plated panels, bronze-colored and vaguely brooding, rise from the prairie like a modern-day Stonehenge, marking the entrance to the tasting room. The Milics describe them as an “art installation” intended to complement the landscape.

With their corrugated metal exteriors, designed to rust and create a patina that blends with the terrain, the casitas exude a similarly elemental yet modern vibe. They’re essentially small, sleek houses, each unit containing a living room, galley kitchenette (sans stove, but with wine fridge), bath with walk-in shower, dining area and workspace whose cupboard holds a Murphy bed. In the living room, a comfy king bed descends from the ceiling at the touch of a button. Given the spectacular view of Mount Bruce from this vantage point, there’s really no reason to ever leave that bed — although drinking coffee on the deck and watching the sun come up over the mountains is pretty fabulous, too. Fruit, cereal, granola, milk, yogurt and freshly baked muffins are provided for a DIY breakfast.

Fittingly, the winery’s tasting room — which is, in fact, a full-blown dinner restaurant — is named The Biscuit. Its floor-to-ceiling windows offer yet another close-up of its namesake, and there’s a shaded patio to catch the breezes. Los Milics wines (and there are already award winners among them) are offered by the glass, bottle or five-wine flight. Meanwhile, executive chef Trevor Routman plies customers with beautifully presented modern American cuisine, including a spectacularly good bread course.

When a serene, wine-wonky getaway is the goal, Los Milics is the place. Eat, drink, sleep, repeat.