Willcox-based Sand-Reckoner Vineyards recently opened their Tucson tasting room at 510 N. 7th Ave., Unit 170 on February 18.
“We love Tucson,” said Sarah Hammelman, who owns Sand-Reckoner with her husband and winemaker Rob Hammelman. “We’re so excited to be here.”
Although the duo still lives at the vineyard in Willcox, they’ve been eyeing the space since August 2015.
“There’s wonderful energy here,” Sarah said. “I love all the small businesses around us and all of the craft beverage happening.”
The south-facing wall is composed of windows, bringing in plenty of sunshine. Paired with a white wall and bar top, the space features a bright, open feel.
On the north end of the space, art from the Conrad Wilde Gallery adorns the walls.
Though there is plenty of standing room and some comfy seats, bar stools and benches are on their way.
In addition to wines, the tasting room offers a snack plates from Blu A Wine & Cheese Stop with a plant plate ($8), cheese plate ($12). The plant plate features vegan Double Cream Chive cheese from Miyoko’s Creamery with Marcona almonds, olives, dried figs and apricots, and crackers. The cheese plate replaces the vegan cheese with Fiore di Capra chevre, Point Reyes Toma, and Fiscalini Bandage Wrapped Cheddar.
Bottled water ($2.75), and San Pellegrino soda ($2.75) are also available.
While all of Sand-Reckoner’s wines are worth tasting, their 2012 Cochise County Malvasia Bianca earned the honor of being the only Arizona wine in the San Francisco Chronicle’s Top 100 Wines of 2013:
“2012 Sand-Reckoner Cochise County Malvasia Bianca ($28, 13.6%): For our second year with Arizona wine in the Top 100, we turn to Rob Hammelman, who made wine with St. Cosme’s Louis Barruol in the Rhone before settling with his wife, Sarah, in Willcox. This aromatic grape could be Arizona’s great hope, certainly based on Sand-Reckoner’s efforts. A day soaking on skins and fermentation in old barrels provides the seriousness found in great dry Alsatian Muscat: intense blossom aromas, plus a chaparral-like woodsy side, rose petal and dried pear. It’s densely flavored and bone-dry, full of rich orange and ripe tree fruit flavors.”
Sand-Reckoner Vineyards is located at 510 N. 7th Ave., Unit 170 and is open 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, visit sand-reckoner.com.
