1. Charron Vineyards
Contact: Mr. Leo J. Cox
Telephone: (520) 762-8585
Email: charronvineyards@theriver.com
Mailing Address: 18585 South Sonoita Highway, Vail, AZ 85641
Best Bit: Visit Bob & Lisa at Cave Creek Winery in Phoenix and they will allow you taste and purchase from their private stock (602-482-8600).
Website: www.charronvineyards.com

The Story: Leo Cox is an extraordinary man with an extraordinary story. He joined the Navy after that attack on Pearl Harbor. During WWII he served on the Battleship USS New Jersey. After the war, Leo married Rhea, his wife of 57 year and together they raised four children. At the age of 69, alone and by hand, Mr. Cox planted 10 acres of Merlot grapes and turned a once rocky dry bed of dirt into picturesque Charron Vineyards complete with rolling hills and mountain views. This one of a kind man makes a one of a kind wine, a true White Merlot. The grape skins are removed at the time of crush and what remains is the rich, sweet golden nectar of one man's passion. Served chilled, Charron's Blanc de Merlot pairs wonderfully with spicy foods as well as chocolate and almost any desert. It's perfect for sipping by the pool on warm summer nights. All the grapes are hand picked each August and fermented in stainless steel until just the right balance is achieved. Over 90% of the wine is sold to members of "Leo's Wine Cult", a group of VIP Customers that preorder the wine by the case each year. A small number of cases are distributed to select retailers in Sedona and Phoenix.

2. Road Cycling in Sonoita, Patagonia, Elgin:
The Story:
One of the greatest experiences of road cycling is discovering new rides. The Sonoita, Patagonia, Elgin region is a road cyclists fantasy, it has all the ingredients of an epic ride, rolling hills, fast flats, short and long climbs, followed by blazing descents. These lonely roads are perched at over 5000 feet where the air is cool and thin. They are as ideal for race training or weekend recreational rides. In the early spring these secret routes attract professional cyclists from around the world. In this season streams of colorful group riders twist up cactus studded Rt. 83 to the rolling grassy hills of Arizona's Wine Country. The fact that there is not a bike shop for 60 miles confirms that these are virgin roads awaiting discovery.

The Mexico Madman Road Bike Ride
Total Distance: 57 (One way)
Vail to Sonoita: 25 miles
Sonoita to Nogales, Mexico: 32 miles
Start: Vail, AZ
Finish: Nogales, Mexico
Best Time to Ride: Spring, Summer & Fall
Difficulty: Extreme Difficulty
Best Bit: Telling the story about the day you road your bike all the way to Mexico!
The Route: Start at exit 281 off I10 just outside of Tucson and ride south on Rt. 83 for 25 miles to where the road climbs 5200 feet to Sonoita. At the intersection in Sonoita turn right and ride 32 miles on Rt. 82. When you see the "Entering Mexico" sign, you will know that you made it. There is food and drink in Sonoita (25 miles), Patagonia (32 miles) and Mexico (57 miles).

Arizona Vineyard Road Bike Loop Ride
Distance: 21.6 miles (Loop)
Best Time to Ride: Spring, Summer & Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Bits: A perfect ride with unforgettable views.
The Route: Start at the Sonoita Inn Parking lot at the intersection of Rts. 82 & 83. Follow Rt. 83 past the Grassland Café, 4 miles to Elgin road. Take a left onto Elgin Rd (looks for the Winery/Vineyards signs and a School). Watch for Pronghorn Antelope on the right and Texas Longhorns to the left. Look for an emerald green vineyard on the right and at 7 miles you will see Callaghan Vineyards on the left. Follow Upper Elgin Rd., as it turns left past the Village of Elgin Winery and the road to Sonoita Vineyards. Continue on Upper Elgin Rd to Rt. 82. Turn left on Rt. 82 and continue to the Sonoita Inn parking lot. Great loop and several places for stop for wine and food.

Other Rides:
Sonoita to Patagonia:
Distance: 8 miles
Route: Follow Rt. 82
Best Time to Ride: Spring, Summer & Fall
Difficulty: Easy
Best Bit: It's all downhill!

Patagonia to Mexico:
Distance: 25 miles
Route: Follow Rt. 82
Best Time to Ride: Spring, Summer & Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Bit: You can still say you rode your bike from the US to Mexico!

3.Callaghan Vineyards:
Contact: Mr. Kent Callaghan
Tasting Facility: 336 Elgin Rd, Elgin, AZ 85611
Mailing Address: PO BOX 530, Sonoita, AZ 85637
Hours: Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 11am-3pm
$3/person includes 18oz crystal glass
Telephone/Fax: (520) 455-5322
Email: callaghan@dakotacom.net
Website: www.callaghanvineyards.com
Best Time to Visit: Spring, Summer & Fall
Best Bit: $3 allows you drink what Robert Parker says, "Some of the best wines being produced in the US today." You can do this with Mr. Kent Callaghan himself and you get to keep the glass!

Driving directions: About 1 hour south of Tucson. Follow I-10 to Exit 281; follow Rt. 83 through Sonoita, 4 miles to Elgin Rd., turn a left at the "ELGIN WINE COUNTRY" sign, 3 miles to the winery and vineyard.

The Story:
A decade or so ago, Kent Callaghan planted rows of grapes in the red soils just off Elgin Road in Sonoita. Mr. Callaghan and his crew toiled to plant 1000's of seedlings into the earth. Not knowing the variety of the newly planted crop, the labors inquired of Mr. Callaghan what future crop was his field to yield. Mr. Callaghan responded, "A wine vineyard". Amused, the workers drove off as one man shouted "Buena Suerte!" Appropriately, Mr. Callaghan named this vineyard Buena Suerte or Good Luck. In fact, it has been good luck as these grapes have made up the wines served by The White House in 1996 and again in 1998.
Today, both the Wine Spectator and the Wine Enthusiast magazines regard Callaghan Vineyards wines as some of the best in the United States. The Paris Daily newspaper, Le Monde, has referred to Callaghan wines as "Astonishing". The Wall Street Journal has selected a Callaghan wine as "One of 12 Best". Mr. Callaghan is well on his way to becoming a wine legend. However, none of the accolades can replace drinking the wine and meeting the man. Unlike most wine celebrities, Kent is fixture at the vineyard meeting with guests and hosting tasting. It's a good idea to pick up some of Callaghan wines to drink later that night with dinner. Callaghan wines also make wonderful Birthday, House Warming and Holiday gifts, make sure to have Kent autograph your bottles.

4. The Village of Elgin Winery
Contact Person: Mr. Gary Reeves
Address: The Elgin Complex, HC1 Box 47, Elgin, AZ 85611
Hours of Operation: Daily from 10-5
Telephone/Fax: (520) 455-9309
E-mail: info@elginwines.com
Website: www.elginwines.com
Best Time to Visit: Spring, Summer & Fall
Best Bit: The village makes wine tasting fun, where else can you taste wines like Tombstone Red?
Driving directions: About 1 hour south of Tucson. Follow I-10 to Exit 281, follow Rt. 83 through Sonoita, 4 miles to Elgin Rd., and turn a left at the "ELGIN WINE COUNTRY" sign, 4 miles to the winery on right.

The Story:
Built in 1895 the building was first used as a Bordello then a Hotel, and later a Feed Store. It is now home to the Village of Elgin Winery. The winery makes a variety of unique wines for all tastes and palettes, from hand crafted reds that pair famously with steak, to nicely balanced white table wines. One of the more interesting wines is Tombstone Red, named after the nearby town Wyatt Earp made famous at the O.K. Corral. This best selling wine is an old western secret blend of red and white grapes said to pair well with scorpion, tarantula, and rattlesnake. Although unconfirmed, legend has it that Doc Holliday, Virgil, Wyatt, and Morgan Earp drank several bottles of a Tombstone Red-like blend the night before the shootout with the Clanton's and McLaury's at the O.K. Corral. The Village of Elgin is host to a number of wine events including: The Blessing of the Vines and the Fall Harvest Festival where guests crush grapes by foot. Gary Reeves, the village Wine-Master can be found manning the tasting room, which is open daily for tasting and tours.

5. Sonoita Vineyards
Contact: Dr. Gordon Dutt
Mailing Address: H.C.1 Box 33 Elgin, AZ 85611
Telephone/Fax: (520) 455-5893
Email:sonoitavineyard@cs.com
Website:www.sonoitavineyards.com
Best Time to Visit: Spring, Summer & Fall
Best Bit: Sipping wine at sunset on the balcony overlooking vineyards and mountains.
Driving directions: About 1 hour south of Tucson. Follow I-10 to Exit 281, follow Rt. 83 through Sonoita, 4 miles to Elgin Rd., take a left at the "ELGIN WINE COUNTRY" sign, 4 miles just past the Village of Elgin turn right at the Sonoita Vineyard sign. Follow 2.5 miles to the vineyard and winery, easy to find.

The Story:
Dr. Gordon Dutt is the Dean of the Arizona wine industry. Dr. Dutt, a former Professor of Agriculture at the University of Arizona, was one of the brave pioneers that planted the first wine grape vineyard in the state back in the early 1970's.
Sonoita Vineyards is located off Elgin Road, between Callaghan Vineyards and the Village of Elgin. The road to Sonoita Vineyards is like a Safari adventure; it's paved for about two miles where it turns to gravel then winds and climbs to the winery. This gravel road is "Open Range", meaning that there will be cattle on it. Pronghorn Antelope, Deer, Coyotes, Javalinas also travel this road. The vineyard is home to Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Mission grapes. The Mission grapes are the newest additions to the vineyard with deep historical roots dating back to the 16th century.
The winery is perched at the top of a wonderfully scenic hill. The balcony overlooks 20 acres of emerald vines, rolling golden hills all framed by the Santa Rita, Huachuca, Mustang, Empire and Whetstone Mountains. Ask to sit out on the winery's balcony, as this is a perfect place to enjoy an afternoon picnic with a bottle of Sonoita Vineyard's Sauvignon Blanc or Cabernet Sauvignon.

6. Rancho Milagro B & B
Innkeeper: Michael Johnson
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 981
Sonoita, Arizona 85637
Telephone/Fax: 520-455-0381
Email: info@ranchomilagrobb.com
Website: www.ranchomilagrobb.com
Best Time to Stay: Spring, Summer & Fall
Best Bit: Private rooms separated from the main house with Jacuzzis and great vineyards views. For the adventure of a lifetime, head to Rancho and hook up with your Horseman guide, Noberto, for a ride into Mexico www.ridemexico.com/index.html

Driving directions: About 1 hour south of Tucson. Follow I-10 to Exit 281, follow Rt. 83 through Sonoita, 4 miles to Elgin Rd., turn a left at the "ELGIN WINE COUNTRY" sign, follow 3.3 miles just past Callaghan Vineyards Winery bear right onto the dirt road Ranch entrance and turn right into Ranch Milagro at the iron overhead sign.

The Story:
Just off Elgin Road, Rancho Milagro Bed and Breakfast offers scenic views of Callaghan, Sonoita Vineyards as well as the Village of Elgin Winery. This is a perfect place to relax, watch the sunset and sample your newly acquired Arizona wines. Nestled in the high grasslands of Southeastern Arizona, Rancho is a perfect for romantic weekend or couples get away. The rooms all have separate entrances, private porches and patios. Wood burning stoves and feather comforters keep you warm and cozy on cool evenings. Rooms are equipped with a spa tub and shower, king or queen size bed, color TV and VCR. Rancho is also equipped with horse stalls for those who want to bring their mounts to explore the amazing 42,000-acre Empire Ranch. Summer, Spring and Fall are the best times to stay at Rancho. Pack you horses, bikes and best mystery novels and call Innkeeper Michael Johnson to reserve your room.

7. Crown C Guest Ranch
Ranch Manager: Sidney Franklyn
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 984, Sonoita, AZ 85637
Telephone: (520) 455-5739
Email: crownc@flash.net
Website: www.crowncranch.com
Best Time to Stay: Spring, Summer & Fall
Best Bit: You rent the ranch house and all that comes with it. This place makes for an unforgettable adventure. Beware; the cattle drive is the real thing!
Famous For: Spacious Living, Glorious Scenery, Privacy, Wildlife & Roaming Horses
Capacity: 16 People Open: Year Round Altitude: 4800 feet
Location: 3 Mile West of Sonoita (near Tucson and Nogales)

The Story:
Adventures are best undertaken with other like-minded explorers. Just outside of Sonoita off Rt. 82 lies the Crown C Guest Ranch. This is the perfect place for your inquisitive group, the Crown C spills out at the feet of the Santa Rita Mountains in an expanse of lush oak studded lands and broad canyons filled with spring fed sycamore and cottonwoods. This is a real working cattle ranch where "ranch horses" roam the property freely like large squirrels. Crown C is not a B&B or a City Slicker-Like Dude Ranch it's a Ranch Rental Home, at Crown C you are the boss. Your group can rent the entire facility or just a wing of the house as Adventure Headquarters. The home itself was built more than 60 years ago from thick adobe block that was handcrafted of native soil from the ranch. This is an rustic but elegant home with spacious living room equipped with comfortable leather clad rocking chairs, Persian rugs, library, board games and a wall size fireplace. The formal dining room can seat 10-12 people. A fully equipped kitchen and pantry allow guests to prepare their own banquets. The home also has a covered porch looking out onto a garden area. The attached guesthouse has a living room with fireplace, a dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms and one bathroom. This ranch home Adventure HQ's is also equipped with a very private 30-meter heated swimming pool. Adventures begin right outside the door where 100's of miles of single track and jeep roads sprawl in every direction. Hitch up your horses, bikes and other toys and come alive at Crown C. The ranch is a great space for family and friends to recharge. The facility can accommodate groups up of up to 16 for adventures, wine exploration, corporate retreats or just peace and quite. Call Sydney for reservations and ask if you can take part in the cattle drive!

8. Arizona Vineyards:
Contact: Tino or Hector
Address: 1830 E. Patagonia Hwy, Rt. 82 Nogales, AZ 85621
Telephone: (520) 287-7972
Best Time to Visit: Spring, Summer & Fall
Best Bit: Free wine samples and tours on the way to Mexico.

The Story:
Travelers to Mexico need to experience the Patagonia-Sonoita Scenic Road. The road passes through Patagonia and follows the tree-lined Sonoita Creek before reaching Arizona Vineyards and the Santa Cruz River, the gateway to old Mexico. This is a beautiful, peaceful drive that features the Santa Rita Mountains, Coronoda National Forest, Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Sanctuary, Patagonia Lake State Park, Museum of the Horse and Nogales.Arizona Vineyards is a roadside classic complete with a colorful building and antique winery décor, be sure to take along a camera. Inside there are wine artifacts from all over the world including huge wooded casks, sculptures and painting. Hours could be spent browsing and listening to the saga of each item. The wines are unique as well with classic southwestern names like Rattlesnake Red, Desert Dust, Apache Red and Coyote Red. Arizona Vineyards is just another reason to take the scenic route.

9. Parker Canyon Lake
Directions: 25 miles southeast of Sonoita in the scenic Canelo Hills. Travel east on Interstate 10 to State Route 83 (exit 281) and turn south 50 miles through Sonoita to Parker Canyon Lake.
Season: Open year round.
Website: www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/svrd/lakeview.htm
Attractions:
Boating and fishing (8 hp limit)
Trout, bass and catfish
Camping and picnicking
Cool oak and grassland setting
Great Lakeside wildlife trail loop
Facilities:
Boat rentals available.
Fishing Pier, paved boat ramp & courtesy dock
Restrooms
Country store
Campground
Handicap access to most facilities
Parking for vehicles, motor homes and boat trailers
Best Bit: Most days you will have the lake and campgrounds all to yourself.

The Story:
Located in rolling hill country surrounded by distant mountains, the lake is perfect for those who enjoy a good day of fishing. Parker Canyon Lake offers numerous species, including stocked Rainbow Trout and resident Bass, Sunfish and Catfish. To make landing that big one easier, there is a fishing pier and a paved boat ramp as well as a lakeside paved area and a graveled path along some of the best Catfish shoreline. There is also a country store at the lakeshore where you can pick up some last minute supplies, buy a fishing license or rent a boat.There is a wonderful five-mile trail around the shore never getting more than a few steps from the water. The Parker Lakeshore Trail offers excellent vantage points to spy ducks and other waterfowl. Bald Eagles and Osprey are regularly sighted in this area, as are spring warblers and hummingbirds in season. Land mammals frequently seen among the oaks and grasses are Whitetail deer, Coatimundi, Javalina and roadrunners.

10. Off Road Hikes, ATV, Mountain Bike and other Adventures

The Story:
The Patagonia region is outstanding for off road adventures be it hikes, mountain biking, ATV or 4 wheel drive vehicles. The ride start and end at the center of town and climb, twist and turn through mountains, hills, streams, past ranches, ghost towns and fire towers. Begin at the center of Patagonia and follow Harshaw Rd. 6 miles until the pavement ends then select your adventure as all routes are well marked with signs. There is terrain for every skill level from technical to recreational and for every toy. Remember to yield to hikers and horses on the trail.

Flux Canyon Mountain Bike Loop:
Total Distance: 19 miles (Loop)
Start: Post Office in Patagonia
Finish: Post Office in Patagonia
Best Time to Ride: Spring, Summer & Fall
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Best Bits: At 6000 feet there are great view of Santa Rita Mountains, Canelo Hills and Mt. Washington.
The Route:
Start from the Post Office in Patagonia and ride out Harshaw Road 6 miles to the end of the pavement then turn right. Go two miles to the Flux Canyon Rd. sign and turn right up the dirt hill. Climb this short but steep hill for about .75 of a mile until the trail slopes 4.5 miles to a gradual descent. Just after the old mine on the right there will be gradual 2.1 mile climb. At the top of the hill there is a view across the Patagonia valley to the Santa Rita Mountains. Prepare for a fast descent all the way to Rt. 82. Turn right on Rt. 82 and ride 2.7 miles back to Patagonia.

Best of The Rest:

11. Local Adventure Expert: Ann Caston
Contact Ms. Caston for more ideas, maps and information
Location: Mariposa Books, Downtown Patagonia
Phone & Email: 520-394-9186 or maripo@theriver.com

12. Velvet Elvis Pizza Company:
Outstanding Pizza, Organic Salads and Daily Specials
Location: Patagonia, AZ
Website: www.velvetelvispizza.com

13. Birding & Wildlife Adventures:
Location: Arizona Trail, Explore 790 miles of trail extending from Utah to Mexico.
Websites: www.aztrail.org/at_segments.html

14. Location: Lake Patagonia & Patagonia-Sonoita Creek: A relaxing spot to drift and visit with wildlife.
Websites: www.pr.state.az.us/parkhtml/patagonia.html

15. Tours:
Horseback ride to Mexico: Discover waterfalls along secret routes in Northern Mexico; sleep in centuries old villages traveling it all via horseback.
Location: Sonoita, AZ to Copper Canyon Mexico
Website: www.ridemexico.com/index.html

16. Tubac Artist Colony: A confluence of faiths and peoples with great art and history.
Location: Tubac, AZ
Website: www.tubacaz.com

17. Nogales: Mexico! You have to visit at least once while you are in Arizona.
Location: Nogales, Mexico
Website: www.nogaleschamber.com

18. Ft. Huachuca Museum: A fascinating and true story of how black solders, know as Buffalo Soldier, shaped the nation today. Civilian visitors are welcome form 9:AM. to 4:PM., Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday 1: PM to 4: PM.
Location: Ft. Huachuca, AZ
Website: http://huachuca-www.army.mil/HISTORY/museum.htm
Phone:(520) 533-5736.


Printable Versions: Norhtern Trail Southern Trail South East Trail