After taking a year off, the wine is once again ready to flow.
The Arizona Wine Growers Association is hosting the annual Off the Vine Arizona Wine Festival at Steam Pump Ranch from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday, February 19.
Oro Valley’s Steam Pump Ranch and its iconic 1800’s ranch house will be quite the backdrop for more than 20 vineyards and wineries, local fare from a variety of local food trucks, live music, and local artisans.
“Steam Pump Ranch and the surrounding mountains provide such a beautiful setting for wine lovers to experience wines from across the state and even meet the winemakers themselves, who are often in attendance,” said Kris Pothier, president of the AWGA and owner of Chateau Tumbleweed.
If you’re not too familiar with wine and aren’t even sure what kind of wine you like, this is a great opportunity to interact with the participating winemakers. So, go ahead and pick their brain about the history of their wine, learn how it’s made, and taste what sets it apart.
Tickets are $30 per person and will raise to $35 the day of. The ticket scores you eight tastings and a commemorative glass, too. For those who aren’t drinking, designated drivers, and the kids are welcome to come to the festival for free.
Participating Wineries
- 1764 Vineyards
- Birds and Barrels
- Carlson Creek
- Chateau Tumbleweed
- Deep Sky
- Golden Rule vineyards
- High Lonesome Vineyards
- Laramita Cellars
- Old Pueblo Cellars
- Page Springs Vineyards and Cellars
- Pierce Wines
- Strive Vineyards
- Su Vino Winery
- Lightning Ridge
- Twisted Union Wine Company
- Dos Cabezas WineWorks
- The Oddity Wine Club
- Cove Mesa Vineyard
- Winery 101
- VinoStache
- Merkin Vineyards
- Caduceus Cellars
- Callaghan Vineyards
Steam Pump Ranch is located in Oro Valley at 10901 N. Oracle Rd. More information is available at offthevineaz.com. To purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.com.
Article written by:
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.
