Sip, stomp and sup at Elgin wine festival
At Sonoita Vineyards’ annual Harvestfest, visitors can enjoy wine tastings, grape stomping and more.
“We have been doing this for about 20 years. We are a third-generation business,” said Lori Reynolds, a winemaker and the granddaughter of Gordon Dutt, the founder of Sonoita Vineyards. “We are also the oldest winery in Arizona.”
This weekend, the vineyard will host Harvestfest to introduce guests to its wines. Festivalgoers can venture about the ground and participate in various activities, Reynolds said.
“There will be vineyard tours throughout the day where people can see the vineyard on a horse-drawn wagon, or we have a tractor to carry people as well,” Reynolds said. “It is beautiful.”
There will be plenty of wines to sample as well, with three tasting tables where guests can sip the winery’s reds and whites. There will be four food stations as well, where wines will be paired with foods.
For a more substantial meal, visitors can purchase lunches from local restaurants.
“There will be two restaurants serving at the festival, the Steak Out from Sonoita and Daily Bread from San Tan Valley,” Reynolds said.
Entertainment will be provided by the Chillie Willie Groove Band, Reynolds said.
If you want to take part in the highlight of the festival, you’ll have to be prepared to take your shoes off.
“There will be grapestomping competitions,” Reynolds said. “There will be a women’s team, a men’s team, a children’s team and a couples team, and they all have to stomp the most grapes.”
Winners will be determined by the amount of applause they receive and will get $10 certificates, good in the gift shop or for a bottle of wine.
For an additional charge, Arizona Horseback Experience will take visitors on a twohour trail ride through wine country. Reservations are required; call 520-455-5696.
“It’s a blast and a pretty amazing ride,” Reynolds said.