The Winery Rio Claro Wines of Arizona

Discovering the wine region of Arizona

Arizona is located in the extreme Southwestern corner of the United States of America, bordered by Mexico to the south and southern California to the west. It covers 300,000 km² (114,000 square miles) between latitudes 31°N and 36°N. The main varieties used to make Arizona wines are Syrah, Viognier, Muscat and, of course, the ubiquitous Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. They do best in cooler regions, especially in the southwest.

Grapes have been grown in Arizona for over 400 years, originally by Spanish missionaries who needed wine for religious purposes. This is a common story throughout the United States - especially in the south and west - and also in South American countries. Although Arizona was almost entirely devoid of viticulture after Prohibition, the industry has since undergone a renaissance of sorts. There are now two sub-regional AVAs and hopes for a third, and the wines are beginning to gain international recognition.