The best wine bars in Scottsdale, AZ

Arizona may not be the first place that comes to mind when talking about great wines, but it should be. Because Arizona has a deep-seated history when it comes to vineyards and wineries. All that a guest needs to do is visit any wine bar in Scottsdale to realize that The Grand Canyon State has some of the best wines anywhere. Period.

But can a Scottsdale, AZ wine bar really compete with other more renowned places? The short answer is, yes. Resoundingly so, thanks to Arizona’s unique climate.

Sure, Arizona is one of the driest places in the US, but this is what makes it perfect for growing grapes. The intense heat and aridity of the climate cause a high concentration of sugars in the grapes, resulting in incredibly sweet wines. Coupled with the sunny days and cool nights that create a long, even ripening phase, vineyards are able to produce complex and unique wines that are perfect for enjoying on any occasion.

And enjoy guests shall, with all the best wine bars in Scottsdale!

THE BEST WINE BARS IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ

Arizona wines come in a wide range of varieties. From high desert vineyards at 5,000+ feet to traditional vineyards thriving in warm, Mediterranean-style climate, Arizona delivers plenty of grape varieties. Whether it’s classic varietals like cabernet sauvignon or syrah, or something a little more unusual like viognier or petite syrah, all point to a good selection to satisfy every wine lover.

It’s time more people know about Arizona wines and experience what they’re really all about! Get started by visiting a wine bar in Scottsdale, or even two or three. Visitors can rest assured that good quality wines will be overflowing.

Check out some of the best wine bars in Scottsdale below:

The Toasted Cork

4301 N Civic Center Plz
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480.386.4588

The Toasted Cork is one of the most popular wine bars in Scottsdale, thanks mostly to its wine list that caters to casual enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. Guests can enjoy small plates of appetizers and cheeses that pair well with their wines and spirits, while enjoying the cool night breeze out on the open patio. Those who prefer to stay inside can enjoy the classy and cozy interiors. Guests can also catch happy hour every day, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and enjoy all glasses of wine for $3 less. Live music happens every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Kazimierz World Wine Bar

7137 E Stetson Dr
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480.946.3004

Kazimierz World Wine Bar takes on the appearance of a mysterious subterranean bar, despite being definitely on ground level in Scottsdale. The interior has brick walls, exposed wooden beams, dim lights, and jazz softly playing in the background. Wine casks lining the wall complete the vibe. But what really matters is the astounding varieties of wine, all 1,500 of them, which is one of the most comprehensive in a wine bar. It’s going to be impossible to make a selection with that many options, so to avoid suffering from option paralysis, Kazimierz has thoughtfully pared down the list to its top 50. From there, their staff can provide further guidance. Live music plays every night, starting at 9 p.m.

Sorso Wine Room

15323 N. Scottsdale Rd
Ste 150 Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480.951.4344

Sorso Wine Room , a wine bar in Scottsdale Quarter, takes its name from the Italian word for “sip.” And that’s the central theme of this establishment . Not only do they have as many as 32 wines available, they also have beers, cocktails, bubblies, and an extensive cellar list with wines from around the world. They’re open as early as lunch on weekdays, and brunch on weekends. Happy Hour is Monday to Friday, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., except on Wednesdays, when All Day Happy Hour takes place. Sorso Wine Room was established in 2015 by Mark and Lauren Teahan after Mark left his 12-season career in Major League Baseball. Initially, he was thinking of moving to Europe to play in another league, but a trip to Italy would somehow lead them back to the States and, ultimately, to Arizona, where they then put down their roots.

The Wine Collective of Scottsdale

4020 N Scottsdale Rd
Ste 104 Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480.912.1746

The Wine Collective of Scottsdale offers over 40 of Arizona’s premier wines, carefully handpicked by the store. It also has a variety of selections for their wine flights and charcuterie, and hosts events and private parties. Visitors must be quick to catch them, though. The shop is only open Mondays to Fridays, from 12 noon to 6 p.m.

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

7361 E Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
623.473.9463

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant features award-winning wines on their menus, alongside delectable dishes and cocktails. Reservations are encouraged so you can secure a spot at the wine tasting room. Wine-tasting aside, the restaurant is child-friendly, with a choice of nine different entrees for the little ones. You can also look into joining their Wine Club. Members are given monthly access to new wines, enjoyed right in the restaurant or at home. Members with two- and three-bottle memberships are also given a monthly wine tasting experience for two, on top of dining rewards, discounts, and more.

La Cucina Bistro & Wine Bar

14692 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd
Ste 147 Scottsdale, AZ 85260
480.451.0001

La Cucina Bistro & Wine Bar serves authentic, traditional Italian dishes. Considered a hidden gem as it’s located inside a shopping center, La Cucina delivers generous portions of excellent food and quality service. Guests can look forward to a well-stocked wine bar, filled with a wide variety of options for reds and whites that will pair perfectly with the meal.

Su Vino Winery

16099 N 82nd St Ste B9
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
480.994.8466

Su Vino Winery has been in business since 2007. It’s a family-owned and operated business that holds over 40 medals under their belt for their wines. Their passion is wine and their mission is to provide their customers with a top-quality experience, from wine to food to service. Right now, the tasting room is open by appointment only, so it’s best to call ahead of time so you can book a spot. If you want to check out their process – from bottling to corking, and even personalizing their wine labels – contact them as well for details.

Other notable bars that are a short drive away from Scottsdale include:

Turquoise Wine Cellar & Tasting Room

8160 W Union Hills Dr
Ste B200 Glendale, AZ 85308
623.248.0399

Turquoise Wine Cellar & Tasting Room is a women-owned and operated boutique wine bar. Wine tasting classes are also offered. They are very new in the business, having just opened in 2022, but their impressive wine list and scrumptious charcuterie boards have already made them a local favorite .The place has outdoor seating and can accommodate private events. Drop in anytime or check out their calendar for events lined up for your enjoyment.

Rott n’ Grapes Uptown

4750 N Central Ave Ste 140
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602.888.1667

Rott n’ Grapes Uptown offers wine and craft beer, along with bistro food, charcuterie plates, salads, cheese boards, and more. They also have paninis, pizzas, and desserts. It’s a cozy neighborhood wine bar that welcomes all, even dogs! Established in 2016. Rott n’ Grapes was envisioned it to be a place where the community could gather to relax and enjoy together. The open-window wine bar hosts special and weekly events, and guests can enjoy an all-day happy hour every Tuesday.

THE BEST WINERIES IN ARIZONA

With a wide array of wineries and tasting rooms, and varietals that will please the oenophile, Arizona has successfully nurtured not just a scene but an industry that can be best described as booming. The range of wines that are being produced has garnered critical acclaim. With production concentrated in south-central and northern Arizona, the variety of wines that have thrived in Arizona’s micro climates include cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, viognier, riesling, mourvèdre, tempranillo, syrah, grenache, zinfandel, and more.

Thanks to Arizona’s unique terroir – a combination of climates, soils, geography, and topography – its vineyards have fulfilled the promise of what scientist, Dr. Gordon Dutt, discovered in the 1970s: that Arizona has the same unique terra rossa soil as France’s Burgundy region.

Today, the Arizona wine scene comes with plenty of other perks: spectacular views of the vineyards, culinary classes, and tour packages for tourists and locals.

Here are some of the wineries worth checking out in Arizona:

• Aridus Wine Company. Located in Willcox with a wine-on tasting room in Old Town Scottsdale. Open seven days a week.
• Arizona Stronghold Vineyards. This vineyard’s tasting room opened in Scottsdale in 2022, which makes it the newest in the area. However, the business first started in the late 2000s, which means they may be new to Scottsdale, but not in the winery business. Open seven days a week.
• Carlson Creek Vineyard. Sits at an elevation of 4200 feet just outside of Willcox. The winery also features a tasting room, wine library, private meeting room, an exposition kitchen, and an indoor event area. Tasting rooms are also located in Old Town Scottsdale and Old Town Cottonwood.
• LDV Winery. The winery and vineyard is located in Cochise County, with a tasting room in Old Town Scottsdale. Located in the busy Scottsdale entertainment district, the tasting room features outdoor seating.
• Merkin Vineyards. On a mission to deliver as close to a 100% Arizona experience through its wines, Merkin Vineyards’ produces wines with ingredients from their vineyards in Verde Valley and Wilcoxx, two of Arizona’s wine-producing regions. This wine bar in Scottsdale is only right across LDV Winery, making for a quick and easy visit while on a wine bar Scottsdale tour.
• Salvatore Vineyards. Also located in Willcox with tasting rooms in Old Town Scottsdale, Bisbee, Elgin, Jerome, and Tombstone, Salvatore Vineyards has specialized, in their words,” fruit-forward, crisp white wines and artistically blended and complex red wines.”

ABOUT ARIZONA’S WINEMAKING INDUSTRY

The first vineyards in Arizona. Wine was first brought to Arizona by Spanish missionaries from the Jesuit order. One particular name that stands out in history records is Eusebio Francisco Kino. He is the missionary credited for planting the first vineyards in Arizona in the 17th century.

The industry grew throughout the years, with many wineries producing a range of different wines for consumers in the region. There were as many as 200 wineries in Arizona during that period of abundance producing sherries, ports, and table wines.

The effect of the Prohibition. Unfortunately, with the onset of the National Prohibition in 1920, the Arizona wine industry saw a decline almost immediately. This lasted for 14 years and was finally repealed in 1934.

However, that gap in production was enough to keep the industry knocked off its feet. The droughts that plagued the region also proved too much for the wineries. In the end, the establishments could no longer compete with the new business climate.

The regrowth of the industry. The resumption of alcohol manufacturing in Arizona began slowly picking up steam once more in the 1980s. The creation of the New York Farm Winery Act of 1976 can be said to have helped in this resumption as this law essentially allowed wineries to sell their products directly to their customers for the first time.

But the one thing that Arizona primarily gives credit to for the growth of its wine industry is Dr. Gordon Dutt, who is considered to be the father of Arizona winemaking. The research he conducted in the 1970s became the ultimate handbook for aspiring vineyard growers and winemakers in Arizona.

Another pivotal factor that contributed to the resurgence of the Arizona wine industry was the formation of the Arizona Wine Growers Association in 1988. It increased awareness about wine and helped the state’s wineries to compete on a global scale.

Continued expansion. Today, the wine industry in Arizona continues to expand, with over a dozen vineyards and as many as 120 wineries and tasting rooms throughout the state.

Arizona’s wine-growing regions are Sonoita, Verde Valley, and Willcox. Sonoita is the first area in Arizona to earn the American Viticultural Area designation. Valle Verde and Willcox earned the designation as well, with Willcox producing 74% of all the grapes grown in the state.

Those staying in the south, like Scottsdale or the surrounding areas, can easily go to six tasting rooms or any top-rated wine bar in Scottsdale. At the same time, the guests can explore the stunning vineyards overlooking the fiery Arizona landscape.

ARIZONA IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO CALL HOME

The wine scene in Arizona is robust, diverse, and offers an abundance of delicious and unique wines. The smaller wineries often have the opportunity to focus on quality over volume, while still offering amazing value for money. This quality-first approach ensures that there will continue to be amazing examples of great wines at affordable prices.

From its official introduction in the 1600s to today’s vibrant market, it’s clear that Arizona has a solid foundation for winemaking. It is this history, along with modern upgrades in the production process, that sees Arizona growing from strength to strength in its bid to become one of the most significant wine producing areas in the US.

And with picture-perfect views, organic vineyards, and artisanal wineries, Arizona could easily be the perfect place for any wine enthusiast to call home.

If you’re interested in learning more about Scottsdale, AZ and the amazing homes for sale in the community, start browsing now.

Then, contact Carol Royse Luxury Division at Keller Williams Realty East Valley to help you claim your place in Scottsdale, Arizona. Get in touch by calling 480.797.2724 or sending an email here to achieve your real estate goals.