051: Learning from Vineyards and Wineries in the Emerging Arizona Wine Region

Vineyard Underground

In this episode, we dive into Arizona's unique wine scene with a panel of guests: Todd Bostock of Dos Cabezas WineWorks, Kent Callaghan of Callaghan Vineyards, and Pavle Milic of Los Milics Vineyards. Arizona's vineyards face a unique set of challenges, including extreme shifts in weather, from scorching heat to freezing temperatures, alongside hail, monsoons, and droughts. Despite these difficulties, our guests share how certain varieties not only survive but thrive, producing outstanding wines that truly capture the essence of Arizona's diversity.

In this episode, you will hear:

• The history of wine and grape growing in Arizona

• Where there was a momentum shift and Arizona wine began growing in popularity

• The difference in the Sonoita to Elgin and Wilcox to Elfrida areas

• The wine varieties our experts like to grow and those they decided not to replant

• The challenges of growing a vineyard in an Arizona climate

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click the ‘+ Follow’ button in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Resources:

If you’re starting a vineyard or thinking about starting a vineyard, visit VirtualViticulureAcademy.com/growsmart to get my online Prospective Winegrape Grower Course to help you get your vineyard planned and planted correctly from the start. Use the code PODCAST at check out to get the course for only $200.00 as a thank you for being a podcast listener.

Today’s Guest:

Kent Callaghan is the founder and owner of the award-winning Callaghan Vineyards in Elgin, AZ.

• Website: https://www.callaghanvineyards.com/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CallaghanVineyards

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callaghanvineyards/

Todd Bostock is the owner and winemaker of the beautiful Dos Cabezas WineWorks in Sonoita, AZ.

• Website: https://www.doscabezas.com/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dos.Cabezas

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doscabezas

Pavle Milic is the co-owner of the award-winning restaurant FnB in Scottsdale and the co-owner and winemaker of Los Milics Vineyards in Elgin, AZ.

• Website: https://losmilicsvineyards.com/

• FnB Restaurant: https://www.fnbrestaurant.com/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063532092842

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/losmilicsvineyards

Episode Sponsor:

Thank you to Vintner’s Vault for sponsoring today’s episode! Vintner’s Vault was started and is operated by winemakers, so they have the knowledge and experience to help you make an educated decision on the equipment purchases and winery setup and layouts that are best for you. They are the #1 winery equipment company that I recommend to my growers who are also winemakers. Visit TheVintnerVault.com and use the code UNDERGROUND5 (all caps) to save 5% off of your online order or mention that you heard about them on the Vineyard Underground podcast when contacting them for a larger piece of equipment, consulting services, or turn-key packages and they will provide a podcast listener discount for you.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.