9th Annual Grand Wine Festival to feature 30+ Arizona wineries pouring over 200 wines in downtown Phoenix, including winners of the azcentral Arizona Wine Competition
(PHOENIX, Ariz.) – On Saturday, January 27 – Sunday, January 28, 2018, the Arizona Wine Growers Association (AWGA) will be partnering with azcentral to host the 9th Annual Grand Wine Festival at Heritage Square Park in downtown Phoenix – now the largest celebration of Arizona wine in the country. The two-day festival, preceded by the sold out Grand Wine Gala on Friday, January 26 where winners of the azcentral Arizona Wine Competition will be announced, will feature more than 30 Arizona wineries pouring over 200 wines, along with live music, food trucks and other local vendors.
“This is the AWGA’s largest event of the year and, this one in particular, marks a record number of both wineries in attendance and wines being poured,” said Brian Predmore, president of the Arizona Wine Growers Association. “To be able to share the story and evolution of the state’s wine industry on a such a large scale truly shows how far our industry, and our wines, have come.”
What started as just a few wineries in the early 1980’s to establish the modern Arizona wine industry (viticulture originally began in Arizona in the 16th century when missionary Spanish Jesuit priests began to plant grapevines and make wine for sacramental use) has since grown into over 100 licensed and bonded wineries, many of which receive national and international attention for their wine.
Among those accolades, are the awards that will be given out at the Grand Wine Gala on Friday, January 26. This SOLD OUT event preceding the two-day festival will honor all winners from the azcentral Arizona Wine Competition, along with featuring a four-course wine-paired dinner and silent auction.
“We had a great competition this year, with more wineries entering a more diverse lineup than we have seen in years’ past,” said Richard Ruelas, reporter for azcentral and The Arizona Republic who organizes the annual competition. “The judging panels had vigorous and lively discussions about the wines. Many talked afterward about how impressed they were with the overall quality of the state’s wines.”
Following the announcement of all winners at the Grand Wine Gala is the two-day Grand Wine Festival at Heritage Square Park on Saturday, January 27 (from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Sunday, January 28 (from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.). 30 Arizona wineries and vineyards will be pouring over 200 AZ-made wines, alongside local food trucks, live music and other local purveyors who will also be featured at the event.
Wineries participating at the two-day Grand Wine Festival include:
- Alcantara Vineyards & Winery
- Arizona Stronghold Vineyards
- Bodega Pierce Wines
- Burning Tree Cellars
- Caduceus Cellars
- Carlson Creek Vineyard
- Chateau Tumbleweed
- Chiricahua Cellars
- Coronado Vineyards Inc.
- Deep Sky
- Dos Cabezas Winery
- Fort Bowie Winery
- Four Tails Vineyard
- Gallifant Cellars
- Golden Rule Vineyards
- Hannah’s Hill Vineyard
- Javelina Leap Estate Vineyards
- Keeling Schaefer Vineyards
- Kief Joshua Vineyards
- LDV Winery
- Lightning Ridge Cellars
- Page Springs Vineyards & Cellars
- Pillsbury Wine Company
- Saeculum Cellars
- Sierra Bonita Vineyard
- Sonoita Vineyards
- Southwest Wine Center
- Su Vino Winery
- Wilhelm Family Vineyards
- Winery 101
- Zarpara Vineyard
To purchase tickets to the Grand Wine Festival ($15 for 6 tasting tickets or $20 for 10 tasting tickets), visit grandwinetastingfestival.azcentral.com or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-grand-wine-festival-awards-gala-january-2018-tickets-37988406346.
For more details on the event or the Arizona Wine Growers Association, visit www.arizonawine.org or connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.
ABOUT THE ARIZONA WINE GROWERS ASSOCIATION:
The Arizona Wine Growers Association (AWGA) serves grape growers and winemakers in Arizona, allying its members for representation, promotion and education. The association strives to advance with integrity, the sustainable growth and production of authentic Arizona-grown wines and increase awareness of the Arizona industry, which includes 104 licensed and bonded wineries throughout the state
