By Holly Morgan
A new wine tasting shuttle has officially launched for fall and it happens to be one of the most Instagrammable businesses in Arizona. The AZ Wine Wagon offers guests a unique day of exploring the Verde Valley’s wine country through a luxe, hop-on, hop-off bus ride.
“Lockdown allowed for a lot of time to dream about the things we wished we could do,” says AZ Wine Wagon Co-Founder Candie Guay. “Indulging in the amazing vineyards that are in our backyard without having to drive home was the vision we decided to bring to life.”
The AZ Wine Wagon allows people to enjoy the ultimate convenience of transportation from Scottsdale to Cornville and back because getting there is half the fun. Book a seat online, get picked up at a location in North Scottsdale in the morning, visit several wineries just outside of Sedona, and hop back on to head home.
“I’ve always enjoyed exploring Sedona and the neighboring areas, but when you have to spend money on overnight accommodations, the trip can get quite expensive,” says AZ Wine Wagon Co-Founder Stephen Roach. “Our concept bridges the gap between Scottsdale and Cornville without having to spend money on a hotel. Drinking and driving is also eliminated from the equation.”
The AZ Wine Wagon tour makes stops at three of the four most popular wineries in Cornville, depending on the occupancy of each location to maximize the experience. Oak Creek Vineyards and Winery is family-owned, features live music and even has themed days that include discounts when you participate. Javalina Leap Winery processes approximately 44 tons of Arizona grown grapes, equaling about 2,600 cases of wine and offers tours of the winemaking facility and barrel room. Page Springs Cellars is a scenic vineyard with creekside picnic tables, a tasting room, and bistro that serves amazing bites. And D.A. Ranch has been producing award-winning wines since 2008 and offers live entertainment perfect for an upbeat crowd.
“We’re really excited to bring hundreds of people through the vineyards to support local,” says Guay. “All of our stops have live music, great bites to eat, and of course, delicious wine tastings.”
The tour typically takes about nine hours. Specific pickup instructions are emailed directly once a ticket is booked. Single seats cost $125 or all 25 can be reserved for $2,500.
“This experience is great for everyone,” says Roach. “We’ve had bachelorette parties, family outings, themed groups, day dates, team building, mom getaways, you name it, they’ve ridden with us and made a ton of really fun memories. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Wine tastings at the vineyards are not included in the ticket price and snacks or lunch are recommended for the ride up. For more information, visit azwinewagon.com.
