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. Once you make it there, you'll be ready for a good glass of wine.

On Saturday and Sunday, from 3 to 6 p.m., there will be a gourmet food tasting and live music in celebration of the new Verde Valley wine country hangout, with Pillsbury's brand-new WildChild red and white blends.

I haven't tried these latest releases -- both of which are made from 100 percent Arizona-grown grapes -- but I'm excited about them after falling in love with some of Pillsbury's other delicious wines, like the luscious Diva (Mouvedre, Petit Sirah, and Syrah) and crisp One Night Stand Rose.