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WineDown with Wildlife Returns to Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

WineDown For Wildlife (Photo courtesy of Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum)

WineDown with Wildlife Returns to Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Mar 15, 20241 min read

The sun is setting, the wildlife is winding down, and it’s about time you wine down, too.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is hosting another WineDown with Wildlife wine festival from 6 – 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 23.

A lot is going on at the museum during this year’s festival.

Sip on the best local and regional wines in the Southwest, enjoy local munchies, catch the desert’s magical sunset, stargaze, jam to live music, and visit with the museum’s animal residents.

Tickets range from $35 to $115 depending on the type of experience you’d like. For those 21 years old and over, your ticket grants you samples from the following wines, beer, cider, and mead. Also, Ray Ray’s Sonoran Spirit Tea will be there so make sure to give ’em a try.

(Photo courtesy of Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum)

Participating Wineries

  • Sonoita Vineyards
  • Lightning Ridge Cellars
  • Flying Leap Vineyards
  • Page Springs Cellars
  • Flying Leap Vineyards
  • Twisted Union Wine Company
  • Sand-Reckoner Vineyards

Other Beverage Providers

  • The Meading Room
  • Corbett Brewing
  • Cider Corps
  • Barrio Brewing
  • Ray Ray’s Sonoran Spirit Tea
  • Drink Parch (Non-Alcoholic)

WineDown For Wildlife Schedule

  • 5 p.m. | Early Entry for VIP ticket holders
  • 5 – 9 p.m. | Flam Chen
  • 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Live Music by Back that Jazz Up
  • 6:30 p.m. | Bobcat enrichment at Cat Canyon
  • 7:30 p.m. | Ocelot enrichment at Cat Canyon
  • 7 and 8 p.m. | Live Animal Program in the Warden Oasis Theater
  • 7 and 8 p.m. | DIY Journal Class at the Art Institute ($ add-on)

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is located at 2021 N. Kinney Rd. For more information regarding the “WineDown with Wildlife” event, visit desertmuseum.org

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At 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.

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@Sonoranrestaurantweek runs through September 13, 2026, offering a variety of prix fixe menus across Tucson.🍝🍕

Where to get pizza & Italian durning Sonoran Restaurant Week:

@anello_pizzeria 
@dominicksrealitalian 
@doscabezas
@fentonellispizzeria 
@fiammepizza 
@reillypizza 
@frescotucson 
@zio_peppe_az 

For more details, visit tucsonfoodie.com/srw

#tucsonfoodie #sonoranrestaurantweek@Sonoranrestaurantweek runs through September 13, 2026, offering a variety of prix fixe menus across Tucson.🍝🍕 Where to get pizza & Italian durning Sonoran Restaurant Week: @anello_pizzeria @dominicksrealitalian @doscabezas @fentonellispizzeria @fiammepizza @reillypizza @frescotucson @zio_peppe_az For more details, visit tucsonfoodie.com/srw #tucsonfoodie #sonoranrestaurantweek
@Asaditoszulmyta started with a tent and a grill on Tucson’s south side. Now, a year later, the Salvadoran food stand has grown into a food truck, a Central American market, and a gathering place for Tucson’s Latin American community.

Stop by Asaditos Zulmyta for their grand opening and Central American Independence Day celebration on Sept 12th from 7-10pm! Enjoy free aguas frescas, specials, a DJ, and more. 

Don’t forget to walk over and grab a coffee at @Redcaptaincoffee! 

4004 N Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 

Thanks for having us, @Asaditoszulmyta!@Asaditoszulmyta started with a tent and a grill on Tucson’s south side. Now, a year later, the Salvadoran food stand has grown into a food truck, a Central American market, and a gathering place for Tucson’s Latin American community. Stop by Asaditos Zulmyta for their grand opening and Central American Independence Day celebration on Sept 12th from 7-10pm! Enjoy free aguas frescas, specials, a DJ, and more. Don’t forget to walk over and grab a coffee at @Redcaptaincoffee! 4004 N Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ Thanks for having us, @Asaditoszulmyta!
This year, 18 Mexican restaurants are participating in @sonoranrestaurantweek from September 4-13. Also, National Hispanic Heritage Month begins immediately afterwards on Sunday, September 15.❤️

Here’s the full list, in alphabetical order. 

@agavehousetucson 
@ameliastucson 
@bktacos 
@bocatucson 
@buendia.breakfast.lunch 
@asadataqueria 
@casadelrioaz 
@elcharro.cafe 
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@humo.tucson
@lachingadacocina 
@lafridamexicangrill 
@laollamexicancafe 
@nanas_kitchen_2008 
@reformatucson 
@seiskitchen 
@sonoramoonshine 

Don’t forget to upload your receipts to enter our giveaway🎉

More on Tucsonfoodie.com/srw
Presented by @Visittucson 

#tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieThis year, 18 Mexican restaurants are participating in @sonoranrestaurantweek from September 4-13. Also, National Hispanic Heritage Month begins immediately afterwards on Sunday, September 15.❤️ Here’s the full list, in alphabetical order. @agavehousetucson @ameliastucson @bktacos @bocatucson @buendia.breakfast.lunch @asadataqueria @casadelrioaz @elcharro.cafe @crudamariscos @elmezquitetucson @humo.tucson @lachingadacocina @lafridamexicangrill @laollamexicancafe @nanas_kitchen_2008 @reformatucson @seiskitchen @sonoramoonshine Don’t forget to upload your receipts to enter our giveaway🎉 More on Tucsonfoodie.com/srw Presented by @Visittucson #tucsonaz #tucsonfoodie
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Come support our amazing local makers, small businesses, and restaurants while eating an absolutely ridiculous amount of vegan food. 

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#tucsonsmallbusiness #tucsonlocalTONIGHT @vegantucsonnightmarket❤️🐖🐄 9/5 from 6–10pm Come support our amazing local makers, small businesses, and restaurants while eating an absolutely ridiculous amount of vegan food. 📸Glamour shots by @viguerrafoto 🪩Music by @visionaryhousecollective 🌙FREE ENTRY | FREE PARKING | DOG-FRIENDLY 📍RILLITO PARK • 4502 N 1ST AVE, TUCSON, AZ 🐶 @oldsoulsanimalrescue @paws_without_borders @rescuemetucson HOT/SAVORY @substancediner @hotsaucenpepper @huhushouseofdumplings Eatgypt Bereisheet 129 @bobbyskitchen__ @delcielotamal @lovinspoonfulstucson @ensenadastreetfood @mayascajunkitchen @therealnaughtyvegan @patricias_cuban_kitchen @scratchingtheplate @themakanbowl @theveganjointaz @youslydogtucson @yumyumpocha_ DESSERTS @atekei_treats @thirddaysourdough @treats_by_gabby @donutblitz @abstractaquariums @sweetrollsandmore @tucsonchocolatefactory @uniquelymadecookies @coolkidssnackcakes @dirty_t_tamarindo @duckys_pineapplebananabread @tiasourdough @eatbliss.az @flourpotvegan @maxa_oats @sahteinpatisserie Counter Crispies BEVERAGES @espressoul_cafe @transit.tea @yourcoffeestopaz @barlapachanga @scentedleaf @konaiceofmarana @littlebearlemonade Wrapido @bardownfitnessandnutrition @brewingcupofculture @lemonpoptucson SHOP LOCAL @barknberryaz @cosmicfoundry @desierto_designs @enjoycrochetandknit @greenexpressiontucson @harvestedcreations @purpleskyincense @ricos_threads @snackabeesaz @sparkle_sparrow_az @spunkykind @yellowbirdfarm @wisteriacreekcottage @wisdombodyandsoul @tacosysalsa_tucson @thedrecreations #tucsonevents #vegantucson #tucsonsmallbusiness #tucsonlocal