Sand-Reckoner Vineyards’ co-owners Rob Hammelman and Sarah Fox have been in the wine business for a while now, and much like the seasons experienced on their farms, business plans tend to change as well.
In 2017, they opened their first Tucson tasting room at 510 N. Seventh Ave. #170. Earlier this year, Hammelman and Fox closed the doors to the location with plans to move into the cellar at The Citizen Hotel. However, they’re thrilled to announce Sand-Reckoner’s “new direction” moving forward.
“Although we are not moving into the Citizen building, the support of our community and organizations like Rio Nuevo has only deepened our commitment to downtown Tucson,” said Hammelman and Fox. “For now, we are happy to announce the imminent re-opening of our beautiful tasting room in the Warehouse Arts District.”
Tasting room’s Grand reopening
With the news of the reopening on Seventh Avenue, Sand-Reckoner has one thing in mind: to be the Tucson urban winery destination. The grand reopening is coming up on Thursday, October 27 with the regular hours being 2 – 7 p.m. every Thursday – Saturday.
“For those who have visited us in our Tasting Room, we welcome your return in the cooling days ahead,” they said. “For those new to the beauty of the Tucson desert community, we extend a hearty welcome. We are planning pop-ups, new label releases, and new wine releases during the upcoming months. Each of our new wines speak to the unique terroir of Cochise County.”
Winemaking at its finest
Sand-Reckoner is using grapes from the Wilcox American Viticultural Area (AVA) as well as their single vineyard sites in the Chiricahua mountains. The vineyards are organically and biodynamically farmed and there’s even been a recent shift in focus toward low-intervention winemaking.
Out at the vineyard, everything is foot-stomped and spontaneously fermented, and by the time it arrives at the Tucson tasting room, it’s all about relaxing, enjoying a great glass of wine, gaining some knowledge about how it’s made, and then taking a bottle (or two) home with you.
‘Tis the season
Looking ahead to the holiday season, Sand-Reckoner wines will continue selling wine online for local delivery in Tucson and then with the GoPuff app for Phoenix residents. Shipping will start up again in November, just in time for Thanksgiving and the holiday happenings.
“In every change there is opportunity,” said Hammelman and Fox. “While we were not able to complete plans to open a cellar location at the Citizen, our commitment to downtown Tucson remains rock solid. We can’t wait to see you in the Tasting Room. And we can’t wait to tell you more about our upcoming plans.”
The Sand-Reckoner Vineyards tasting room is at 510 N. Seventh Ave. #170. For more information, visit sand-reckoner.com.
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Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
