Arizona wineries celebrating good harvest
Oct 25, 2012, 6:21 AM | Updated: 6:21 am
It’s been a good year for Arizona’s vineyards.
An early frost hurt wine growers in the state the past two seasons, but this year has been different.
“It’s been a fabulous year,” said Peggy Fiandacka, owner of the Lawrence Dunham Vineyards in Cochise County. “We’ve had great weather throughout the growing season, and we had a terrific harvest.”
Fiandacka said her wines are offered in several of the Valley’s top restaurants.
“Pizzeria Bianco and Bar Bianco love our grenaches,” said Fiandacka. “We are also in Quiessence at South Mountain, and Posh in Scottsdale.”
Arizona Wine Growers Association executive director Patti King said Arizona is known for several wines.
“Syrah is a great grape grown in Arizona. We have sauvignon blanc,” she said.
King said that the wine industry is on the rise in Arizona, with wineries in the Verde Valley, Sonoita and Willcox.
“The climate is perfect for growing grapes,” said King. “Our industry has grown from 10 wineries to 63.”
King expects wine growing to be a $2 billion industry in the state within the next five years.
