Beat the heat with a casita stay at Los Milics Vineyards

[Disclosure: Tucson Foodie received a complimentary overnight stay at Los Milics Vineyards as part of a promotional partnership. The opinions and experiences shared in this article are based on our first-hand visit. Los Milics is also offering Tucson Foodie readers $50 off Sunday through Thursday casita stays through August 31 with the code “foodiesummer“. Offer excludes holidays.]

Summer in Tucson eventually calls for an escape. But “escape” doesn’t have to mean a long drive or a packed itinerary. Los Milics Vineyards, about an hour south of Tucson in Elgin, offers something quieter: nine casitas tucked into the vines, sweeping mountain views, and a restaurant worth planning around.

The casitas

Each casita sits in the middle of the vineyard, surrounded by grapevines and framed by the Mustang Mountains and Mt. Bruce, the peak locals call “the Biscuit.” Floor-to-ceiling windows pull the landscape inside. A private, roofed patio comes with every room, positioned perfectly for the sunset.

The design is efficient and considered. A king bed converts into a living area with a sofa, and a Murphy bed folds out from a separate workspace, making the space workable for up to four guests. Amenities include a wine refrigerator, a Nespresso machine, robes, slippers, and complimentary wine and snacks on arrival. A light breakfast (yogurt, oatmeal, granola, cereal, whole and oat milk) is also included with the stay.

ADA-compliant and pet-friendly casitas are available. Guests should note any needs when booking.

Dinner at The Biscuit

In the evening, the Los Milics tasting room transforms into The Biscuit, a restaurant named for the mountain visible from nearly every corner of the property. Chef Chris Wescott leads the kitchen with a menu rooted in Spanish and Mediterranean traditions.

Start with the bread service, which arrives with salted butter and olive oil for $9. Fresh and fluffy, we ordered it three times.

The seasonal salad, with greens, wheatberry, tomato, artichoke, ricotta salata, and crispy chickpeas, stands out as one of the strongest plates on the menu. The burrata, served with arugula, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic reduction, is another worth ordering.

Other highlights include the polenta tots with pear chutney and goat cheese, and the boquerones with castelvetrano olives, pickled vegetables, and aioli.

The chicken features roasted fingerlings, fennel, artichoke, garlicky pistachio aillade, and salsa verde.

The steak is a Vera Earl 21-day dry-aged cut, served with green beans, oyster mushrooms, and pearl onions.

Winemaker Pavle Milic curates wine pairings for the menu. A tasting room experience also runs at 6 p.m., before dinner service begins at 5:30 p.m., with last seating at 7:30 p.m.

A suggested itinerary for water-seekers

For anyone wanting a full escape from the heat, this two-day loop pairs well with the casita stay:

• Start at Patagonia Lake State Park. The beach makes it one of the more accessible swimming spots in Southern Arizona. Plan to spend most of the day.
• Check into your casita by 5 p.m. Settle in, take in the views, and open the complimentary wine.
• Catch a wine tasting around 6 p.m., then move into dinner at The Biscuit.
• The next morning, consider driving to Parker Canyon Lake, a quieter option with better fishing and a more serene atmosphere than Patagonia.
• Stop at Pronghorn Pizza on the way back to Tucson for a late lunch.

Sign up for the Tucson Foodie Sonoita-Elgin Wine Passport to discover the exceptional world of the Sonoita Wine Region.

Reservations are available at losmilicsvineyards.com. Use code “foodiesummer” at checkout for $50 off a Sun.-Thu. stay through Aug. 31, holidays excluded.

For more information and booking, visit losmilicsvineyards.com. The Casitas are located at 423 Upper Elgin Road, Elgin, AZ 85611. The Tucson restaurant and tasting room is located at 98 E. Congress St.