Clarkdale Wine & Vineyard Education Experience

What your day looks like

Many people don’t know that the Verde Valley was recently (December 2021) rated as an AVA (American Viticulture Area) by the government body that oversees wine production throughout the United States. This designation is a proud accomplishment for the northern Arizona wine industry, for it allows the public to know that not only is the area producing an abundance of grapes, but they are making world-class wines with these grapes. Notably is the Southwest Wine Center, part of Yavapai College. Here, students take a two-year program learning everything about viticulture and winemaking. During this process, the students make their selection of wines, made from the grape vines right on the college campus! Not only are these wines delicious, but they are also winning awards from the Arizona Wine Growers Association. Just down the road is Bodega Pierce Winery & Tasting Room, owned by Michael Pierce, who also happens to be the dean of the wine program at the Southwest Wine Center. He has been making wine for over a decade, and we love his white wines, especially his Malvasia Blanca. Then there is Chateau Tumbleweed, whose wines are as unique as the labels that identify them. Each label has a picture of a tumbleweed in one fashion or another. Across the board, all their wines are top-notch and worthy of your attention. And for the wine geeks, their labels give you more information about the wine than you’ve ever seen on any other wine label.