Vineyards and Winemakers

Tool Juice: A novice wine drinker tries the wines of novice wine maker Maynard James Keenan

Cowboy Ciao and Digestif host wine, beer, and absinthe dinners

SECOND HELPINGS

Second Helpings

Second Helpings

Sour Grapes

Wine, Oh

Irreverent vintner bottles laughter

Fine’s Cellar pairs well with the Scottsdale dining scene

Irreverent vintner bottles laughter

In a Bitchy Mood?

Try being a grump in the aisles of AJ's when you come across a display for Bitch wine, an Australian grenache from the Barossa Valley. I spotted this last night, and got a laugh like I always do when I see some kind of cheeky wine label. (Seems like a lot of winemakers are hams!) Apparently ... More >>

Binkley's Restaurant Hosts Winemaker Dinner

Here's something you don't see very often, if ever -- a special event at the highly acclaimed Binkley's. On Monday, March 23, the Cave Creek fine dining destination will be hosting a six-course winemaker dinner to showcase Frank Family Vineyards, a boutique winery in Napa Valley. AZ ... More >>

Can Maynard James Keenan Put Arizona Wine on the Map?

Here's something you don't see very often, if ever -- a special event at the highly acclaimed Binkley's. On Monday, March 23, the Cave Creek fine dining destination will be hosting a six-course winemaker dinner to showcase Frank Family Vineyards, a boutique winery in Napa Valley. AZ ... More >>

Grape Expectations

Celebrate the wines of Rioja, Spain

SECOND HELPINGS

Celebrate the wines of Rioja, Spain

SECOND HELPINGS

Celebrate the wines of Rioja, Spain

SECOND HELPINGS

Celebrate the wines of Rioja, Spain

Local Wine Wins at Whole Foods

Lauren GilgerVoters tasting the local wines on Saturday at the Arizona Wine Consumer Choice Awards at Whole Foods Market in Chandler.Move over, Napa. Arizona's young wine industry is currently undergoing a growth-spurt akin to a 12 year-old basketball player. For proof, see Michele Laudig's cover st ... More >>

Maynard James Keenan Opens Wine Tasting Room in Jerome

It's 110 degrees here today. It's 83 up in Jerome. Sounds like a good time for a road trip, no? Oh, if only there weren't that four-letter word called WORK to deal with. Well, if you can play hooky -- or hold out 'til the weekend -- I already have something to add to your itinerary. It's ... More >>

This Week: Crave Arizona Culinary Festival

​The folks behind Crave Arizona set the bar really high with the event's debut last year (it was originally dubbed Eats3), but round two, set for October 22 to 24, promises to be an even bigger culinary blowout, featuring 50 high-profile Arizona chefs and a handful of celebrity guests who'll ... More >>

First Press Weekend of Wine Starts Friday

​Wine? Did somebody say wine? If your ears perk up at the sound of a cork popping out of a bottle, then this weekend's First Press events are for you. Friday night kicks off with the First Press Grand Tasting at the Hotel Valley Ho, presented by National Bank of Arizona. As you'd expect, t ... More >>

Sunday: Arizona Wine Growers Festival at the Farm

​This Sunday, November 22, is the day to get out and drink some delicious homegrown wines at the Arizona Wine Growers Festival at the Farm. First of all, do you really need any excuse to go to the Farm at South Mountain? It's one of the prettiest places in the Valley, and feels a milli ... More >>

Camelback Inn Launches Meet the Winemaker Series

Joy Sterling​If you've ever loved a wine so much that you wanted to meet the crafter of the spirit, now's your chance to get a little closer to the people who make tasty vino. Rita's Kitchen at the Camelback Inn is hosting a montly series of "Meet the Winemaker" events, where patrons may sa ... More >>

Free Wine Tastings Tonight at Phoenix Public Market

A delectable red from Pillsbury Wine Company.​We're headed into Wednesday night, and that means the Downtown Phoenix Public Market on Central Ave. will be opening in less than an hour. From 4-8 p.m. this evening, the market is hosting two free wine tastings. Sam and Dana Pillsbury of P ... More >>

Make Your Own Wine, Quick & Easy!

​ ​Famed director Francis Ford Coppola did it. So did Sam Neill and Olivia Newton-John and Tool's Maynard James Keenan. If they can get into the wine business, so can you! All you need is a large grape arbor, some vats, processing equipment, oak barrels, bottles, massive amounts of tim ... More >>

Maynard's Own: Tasty Locally-made Wine You Can Afford

arizonastrongholdvineyards.comThe Arizona Stronghold collection.​If you pay even the slightest attention to local booze news, you probably know by now that Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan has taken up winemaking right here in AZ (check out Michele Laudig's 2008 feature story if you're out o ... More >>

This Weekend: Devoured Phoenix Culinary Classic

Jason Silva A year ago, I sipped some wine at West of Western culinary festival with entrepreneur and small business advocate Kimber Lanning of Local First Arizona, chatting about boosting the profile of local restaurants. If only I'd brought a crystal ball with me. ... More >>

Feast of Love

Food freaks unite in central Phoenix

Winemaking 101: A Crash Course at Studio Vino

There's something magical about making food or drink with your own two hands. Not that I haven't passed a few store-bought cakes off as my own at dinner parties, but it just doesn't feel the same when your contribution to the meal comes out of a bottle, box or KFC bucket. But what abo ... More >>

FnB Hosts Meet the Winemaker Series, Plans Preliminary Blind Tasting

​Chef Charleen Badman's creative, farm-fresh American cuisine, Pavle Milic's expert selections of top Arizona wines, and a relaxed, convivial atmosphere have already turned Scottdale's FnB into a favorite haunt of food enthusiasts, wine geeks, and other bons vivants, but now there's ... More >>

Pre-Solstice Party, Wine Maker Meet and Greet, Nut-Free B-Ball Game and Hamburger Cupcakes in Today's Eater's Digest

​ Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives? Roosevelt Row Pre-Solstice PartyTonight, May 21st, from 5 p.m. until midnight head to the roof of the PTE Offices at 1017 N. Central Ave for a Pre- Solstice Party. Tickets are $50 per person and al ... More >>

Eddie's Wine Dinner, Girl's Night at Mortons's and Cake Pops the Book in Today's Eater's Digest

http://www.flickr.com/photos/imcountingufoz/3567221101/​ Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Meet Winemaker Gary HogueTonight May 26th Eddie's House in Scottsdale hosts "Meet the Winemaker" with Gary Hogue of Hogue Cellars at 6:30 p.m. Enjo ... More >>

Wine Tasting

http://www.flickr.com/photos/imcountingufoz/3567221101/​ Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Meet Winemaker Gary HogueTonight May 26th Eddie's House in Scottsdale hosts "Meet the Winemaker" with Gary Hogue of Hogue Cellars at 6:30 p.m. Enjo ... More >>

Book Week: The Battle for Wine and Love

​Wine writer Alice Feiring's The Battle for Wine and Love: Or How I Save the World From Parkerization, my food-centric book club's latest pick, was a fitting summer read, serving up a lot of insider wine world info in the form of a personal narrative that sees the author visiting winemak ... More >>

Wine Talk: David Johnson of Oakville Grocery Co.

David Johnson, the wine director at Oakville Grocery Co., dispenses unpretentious wine advice as a bonus to this week's Chef Talk with his business partner, Chef Walter Sterling.

This Weekend: Pillsbury Wine Tasting Room Grand Opening

Meet winemaker Sam Pillsbury (above, center) and taste his new releases at this weekend's tasting room shindig.​Looking for a weekend road trip idea? I suggest a jaunt up to Cottonwood, where winemaker Sam Pillsbury is hosting a grand opening party for his new wine tasting room and gallery ... More >>

Winemakers Dinner, Udder Delights, and Mummy Meatloaf in Today's Eater's Digest

www.theknead4speed.com​Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Wine Dinner at The BouldersLatilla at The Boulders Resort is hosting a Winemakers Dinner this Thursday, October 14. The recently overhauled restaurant's Executive Chef, Michael Pieton will ... More >>

Arizona Wine Festival and Buffalo Chicken Soup in Today's Eater's Digest

www.whatmegansmaking.com​ Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Arizona Wine FestivalHope you didn't spend all your Holiday shopping money this past weekend because this upcoming weekend is the 2010 Fall Tempe Festival of the Arts.  This year t ... More >>

FnB Wine Dinner and BBQ Chicken Tacos in Today's Eater's Digest

cakebatterandbowl.com​ Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?FnB Wine DinnerNeed a post holiday pick me up? Treat yourself to FnB's Javelina Leap Winemakers Dinner Tuesday, January 4th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.. Enjoy a four-course dinner specially pre ... More >>

Is it Bad to Shop for Wine By the Label?

UNCORK THE ISSUE: Is it bad to shop for wine by label? SPILL THE JUICE: "No!" says Stephanie Caraway, the southwestern regional manager at Terlato Wines International. "We all do it. The way I see it is if the aesthetic on the front of the bottle matches my aesthetic, I'll probably also like the aes ... More >>

Wine, Winemakers and Winos: What You Missed at the Paso Robles Winemaker Dinner

Where there is wine and winemakers, you can be damn sure there will be winos, which is why we hit the trifecta at the Paso Robles winemaker dinner at Petite Maison this Monday. The winemakers of Paso Robles showcased their signature Rhône varietal blends with a five-course meal Chef James Porter s ... More >>

Pavle Milic Pours His Heart Out at Ignite Phoenix 9

Photo courtesy of virtualwayfarer via FlickrIgnite Phoenix 9 happened a week ago, and we at Chow Bella are still aflame about the food-related topics discussed.  As food writers and lovers of fermented liquids, we were most excited about the presentations of Maureen Basenberg, founder of the A ... More >>

Winemaker Dinner at Crudo Cafe and "The Most Dangerous Appetizer" in Today's Eater's Digest

Allen Salkin​Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Winemaker DinnerTonight Old Town Scottsdale's Crudo Cafe welcomes you to join them for a special Winemakers Dinner with John McLoughlin of Dribble Creek Wines. The local wine-man will be talking abo ... More >>

Caffe Boa Winemaker Dinner and Blondies in Today's Eater's Digest

Bakergirl​Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Winemaker DinnerGet naked with Caffe Boa and winemakers Tony Coturri from Coturri wines and Olivier Cousin from France for a special evening of naked food and wine Saturday March 12. The Naked Winemake ... More >>

This Bites

Bakergirl​Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Winemaker DinnerGet naked with Caffe Boa and winemakers Tony Coturri from Coturri wines and Olivier Cousin from France for a special evening of naked food and wine Saturday March 12. The Naked Winemake ... More >>

Why Arizona Wine Isn't a Non Sequitur

Growing grapes and making wine in Arizona? Is that even possible? Better question: Is that even drinkable? If you've been around the block to Sonoita, Willcox and the Verde Valley, you know that the answer to both of those questions is an overwhelming affirmative... but if you're like us, we're stil ... More >>

Are Women Better Winemakers?

UNCORK THE ISSUE: "Are women better winemakers than men?" was our question of the night during AZ Wine Co. Winemaking Ladies tasting last Thursday. On the tasting menu at the South store were wines crafted by famed female winemakers Heidi Peterson Barrett, Celia Welch and Kathryn Hall. SPILL THE JU ... More >>

Follow Friday: Twitterers of the AZ Wine World

It's that time again. We've compiled a small but meaningful list of great Twitter-ers for any Phoenix foodie to follow. This week we're giving Arizona grapes the glory. http://www.arizonawine.org/growingRegions.html Arizona Wine Map​Arizona Wine Growers Association (@AZWineries) This non-pr ... More >>

Bottling Wine with Sam Pillsbury and Co.

Nicole Whittington and James Waldron​When I went up to the Verde Valley to bottle wine with winemakers Eric Glomski, Tim White and Sam Pillsubry, I kept hearing that "wine making isn't as romantic as everyone thinks." Maybe the guys were afraid that I would find the monotonous assembly of bottl ... More >>

Blueberry Pinot Noir, Green Apple Riesling, White Chocolate Ale and Other Sips of the Kokopelli Wine Festival

"Going once....going twice...sold!" Kokopelli winemaker Dennis Minchella auctions off one of the 1,000,000th bottles.​We spent more time (okay, all of our time) sipping at grapes rather than crushing them over the weekend at the 10th Annual Kokopelli Krush, a wine festival put on by Kok ... More >>

Purple Drank

"Going once....going twice...sold!" Kokopelli winemaker Dennis Minchella auctions off one of the 1,000,000th bottles.​We spent more time (okay, all of our time) sipping at grapes rather than crushing them over the weekend at the 10th Annual Kokopelli Krush, a wine festival put on by Kok ... More >>

Drink Wine with NPR's Peter Sagal and Support KJZZ's Youth Media Center

​First Press Arizona is throwing its 10th live fine wine auction and dinner on February 11 at Kierland Resort and Spa to benefit KJZZ's Youth Media Center. The smart and witty Peter Sagal, of NPR's game show Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, will be the evening's host. Guests will live it up with liv ... More >>