The 5th Arizona Wine Festival at the Tempe Festival of the Arts March 28-30, broke all records for attendance and sales. Over 1400 art and wine patrons purchased Arizona Wine commemorative glasses, tasted Arizona wine from 7 AWGA member wineries, and enjoyed hours of the best of the Phoenix jazz scene, right inside the festival wine garden.

AWGA Vice-President, Eric Glomski, Page Springs Cellars, added a special treat on Sunday with a barrel tasting, direct from the Page Springs Cellars.

This Spring, the event was featured in Phoenix Magazine, a Tempe Arts Festival sponsor. A big AWGA thank you to our friends at the Downtown Tempe Community, managers of the Mill Avenue District, for making our participation possible. 

 

Wednesday, April 9th, the Cochise County Planning and Zoning Board approved the special use permits for AWGA members Sam Pillsbury, Pillsbury Wine Company and John McLoughlin, Dragoon Winery (Jerome Winery). Both are located on the Dos Cabezas bench near Willcox.

Two weeks prior to the public hearing, your AWGA President, Rod Keeling and member Jan Schaefer met with County officials to discuss wine industry issues in Cochise County. The outcome of this meeting and subsequent phone conversations with planning staff helped "prepare the soil" for a better understanding of winery operations.

  

Governor's Choice Awards in Tucson

 On Saturday, March 22nd, at the Savoy Opera House in Tucson, about 75 Arizona wine fans came together for the 2007 AWGA wine awards presentation and reception.

 

AWGA members Joan and Tim Mueller hosted their 2nd annual Wine and Farm Festival at their vineyard and winery, Saturday, May 3, 11AM-4PM. About 300 people enjoyed wine tasting, farmers market, tours and lunch, all at the Muellers' Canelo Hills Vineyard and Winery.

 

New Industry Website

 AWGA member Rhonni Boss has launched a new industry website and magazine, Arizona Vines and Wines. These two media services are becoming the most comprehensive directory of information on the Arizona wine industry. www.arizonavinesandwines.com

 

Eric Glomski of Page Springs Cellars and Eric's partner, Maynard Keenan, are featured in the April 10th issue of the Arizona Republic. Click below to go to the article:Pair Hoping their Arizona Wine Rocks-Arizona Republic

  

2008 AWGA Memership Renewal

 AWGA SUPPORTER- People who enjoy Arizona wine and would like to be part of the AWGA. -$25

AWGA ASSOCIATE-Vendors, wine retailers and restaurants that want to keep in touch with Arizona Wine and our growers.-$50

AWGA GROWER- Growers with at least 2 acres of wine grapes planned or planted, winemakers/wineries in development.-$100

AWGA MASTER WINEGROWER-Growers/Licensed Winemakers that sell grapes or wine commercially. $100+$5 ton/$.30 gallon levy

 

The AWGA is the only association or agency, public or private, that advocates on behalf of the Arizona wine industry. In the past two years, the association has passed legislation favorable to our industry, defended our water and business rights in every winegrowing county in Arizona and promoted our wine and our growers through the media and to the national and international wine industry. The Arizona wine industry has grown substantially in the past 5 years to 35 growers and wineries and over 500 acres of winegrapes in production.

Arizona winegrowers are recognized for their innovation, independence, perseverance and their quality wines that express the Arizona terroir.

If you have not renewed your membership, download a 2008 application. Please mail your completed application and your check to:
AWGA P.O. Box 181 Vail, AZ 85641