Wine Tours Sedona & Verde Valley: Complete Arizona Wine Country Guide
Scottsdale Sprinters is a Scottsdale chauffeured transportation company serving metro Phoenix. A private Verde Valley wine tour from Phoenix or Scottsdale runs 8 to 12 hours. In our 14-seat Executive Sprinter an 8-hour day bills 7 hours at $145 per hour, or $1,015, about $73 per person for a full van. Nobody drives, everybody tastes, and the cases ride home in the back.
Wine Tours Sedona & Verde Valley: Your Arizona Wine Country Guide
A private Verde Valley wine tour from Phoenix or Scottsdale runs 8 to 12 hours. In our 14-seat Executive Sprinter an 8-hour day bills 7 hours at $145 per hour, or $1,015, about $73 per person for a full van. Nobody drives, everybody tastes, and the cases ride home in the back.
Yes, Arizona makes wine. Good wine. The Verde Valley, just south of Sedona, has become one of the country's most interesting wine regions: high desert elevation, big day-to-night temperature swings, and volcanic soils produce bold, complex wines. And it is an easy run north of Phoenix.
Arizona Wine Country Overview
Why the Verde Valley?
- Elevation: 3,300-4,500 feet, similar to famous Spanish regions
- Wineries: dozens in the corridor between Cottonwood, Cornville, Jerome, and Sedona
- Climate: hot days and cool nights balance sugar and acid in the grapes
- Soil: ancient volcanic ash and limestone
What to Expect
- Bolder reds: Rhône varietals such as Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre lead
- Interesting whites: Viognier, Malvasia, Picpoul Blanc
- Unique terroir: minerality, dried herbs, subtle smoke
- Small production: many wineries make only a few thousand cases a year
- Passionate winemakers: everyone has a story
Top Verde Valley Wineries
Page Springs Cellars — The Pioneer
Page Springs, off 89A. Traditional, minimal-intervention winemaking. Try the Petite Sirah and GSM blends. A rustic tasting room on Oak Creek with cheese and charcuterie. This is the winery that put Arizona on the map.
Javelina Leap Vineyard & Winery — The View
Cornville hilltop. Fruit-forward, approachable wines; try the Zinfandel and Syrah. Family-friendly patio with panoramic valley views and weekend food trucks. Great for groups.
Alcantara Vineyards — The Venue
Near Camp Verde. Italian varietals and Mediterranean blends; try the Sangiovese. Tuscan-estate grounds and a full restaurant. The region's most popular wedding venue.
Burning Tree Cellars — The Boutique
Cornville. Small-batch, terroir-focused; try the Viognier and Grenache. Intimate, educational, and you often meet the winemaker.
Pillsbury Wine Company — The Artist
Cottonwood Main Street. Creative and personality-driven; try the Roan Red and Picpoul Blanc. Sam Pillsbury is a filmmaker-turned-winemaker with stories to match.
Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery — The Classic
Cornville. Traditional varietals and crowd-pleasers; try the Chardonnay and Meritage blends. Relaxed, shaded patio. Ideal for wine newcomers.
Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room — The Rockstar
Cottonwood Main Street. Bold, complex, artistic wines; try Chupacabra and Shinola. Sleek and modern with a full menu next door. Owned by Maynard James Keenan of Tool.
Caduceus Cellars — The Statement
Jerome, on the hillside of the ghost town. Ambitious, premium wines; try Primer Paso and Nagual. Dramatic setting, gallery-style tasting.
Sample Wine Tour Itineraries
Half-Day Tasting Tour (7 hours)
12:00 PM - Depart Phoenix or Scottsdale
2:00 PM - Page Springs Cellars, 45-minute tasting on the creek
3:00 PM - Javelina Leap, 45-minute tasting and panoramic photos
4:15 PM - Burning Tree Cellars, 45-minute tasting
5:15 PM - Depart for home
7:15 PM - Arrive
Executive Sprinter, 7 hours: 6 billed hours, $870, about $62 per person for 14 or about $109 for 8. Best for couples and wine enthusiasts with only an afternoon.
Full-Day Wine Adventure (11 hours)
9:00 AM - Depart
11:00 AM - Page Springs Cellars, tasting and creek walk
12:30 PM - Lunch at Merkin Vineyards, wine pairings available
2:00 PM - Pillsbury Wine Company on Cottonwood Main Street
3:15 PM - Drive the switchbacks to Jerome
3:45 PM - Caduceus Cellars
5:00 PM - Explore Jerome: the Grand Hotel, antique shops, ghost-town lore
6:00 PM - Depart Jerome
8:00 PM - Arrive home
Executive Sprinter, 11 hours: 10 billed hours, $1,450, or $1,566 with tax, about $104 per person for 14 or about $145 for 10. Best for wine clubs and special occasions.
Wine + Sedona Combo (12 hours)
8:00 AM - Depart
10:00 AM - Chapel of the Holy Cross
11:00 AM - Tlaquepaque Village
12:30 PM - Lunch at Elote Cafe or Mariposa
2:00 PM - Drive to the Cornville wine region
2:30 PM - Page Springs Cellars
3:45 PM - Javelina Leap
5:00 PM - Oak Creek Vineyards
6:15 PM - Depart
8:00 PM - Arrive home
Executive Sprinter, 12 hours: 10 billed hours (2 free), $1,450, about $121 per person for 12. Best for first-time Arizona visitors and groups with mixed interests.
Why Book a Private Wine Tour?
The Obvious Reason
Arizona wine country means winding roads through Oak Creek Canyon, four to eight pours per stop, unfamiliar territory, and a long day. A designated driver is not a convenience; it is essential.
Beyond Safety
- More wineries: nobody holds back because they are driving
- Better experience: focus on the wine and the company, not navigation
- Flexibility: linger at favorites, skip the rest
- Local knowledge: which rooms are crowded and when to arrive
- Wine transport: buy what you like; we help load it
Wine Tour Pricing
| Vehicle | Seats | Rate | 7 hours (6 billed) | 8 hours (7 billed) | 11 hours (10 billed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury SUV (Suburban) | 6 | $125/hr | $750 | $875 | $1,250 |
| Executive Sprinter | 14 | $145/hr | $870 | $1,015 | $1,450 |
| Limo Party Sprinter (16 Pax) | 16 | $175/hr | $1,050 | $1,225 | $1,750 |
Rates are hourly. 7+ hours earns 1 free hour, 12+ hours earns 2, 15+ hours earns 3. 8% tax applies. Checkout shows exactly what is charged today and when any balance is due. Tip is optional — 10/15/20% presets at checkout, and we never add one for you.
For 4 to 6 people, the Luxury SUV at 7 hours is $750, about $125 per person for 6 or about $188 for 4. Luggage and gear fit confirmed separately, so tell us if you plan to bring home cases.
Wine Tour Packing List
Essentials
- ID for tastings (21 and over only)
- Comfortable shoes for vineyard walking
- Credit card
- Light jacket for air-conditioned tasting rooms
- Sunglasses
- Reusable tote for purchases
What to Wear
- Casual but tasteful
- Layers, from sunny patios to cool tasting rooms
- Nothing you would mind getting a purple splash on
Verde Valley Wine FAQs
How many wineries can we visit in a day?
Comfortably three or four with a meal. Five or six is ambitious, and after that you stop appreciating the wine.
What about food?
Some wineries have snacks, a few have full restaurants. Plan a real meal in Cottonwood, Jerome, or Cornville.
Can we buy wine and take it home?
Yes. Most wineries also ship. We help load cases into the vehicle.
Can we drink in the vehicle between wineries?
Yes, for passengers 21 and over. Arizona's open-container law exempts passengers in a vehicle for hire such as a party bus or limousine (A.R.S. § 4-251). BYOB, no underage drinking, and the driver never drinks; read the full explainer.
Do we need reservations?
Recommended on weekends, especially at Page Springs and Alcantara. Weekdays are usually walk-in friendly.
Is it actually good wine?
Yes. Arizona wines win national competitions. They are different from California, so embrace the exploration.
Book Your Verde Valley Wine Tour
Leave the driving to us and focus on discovering Arizona wine country with the people you love. Book the Verde Valley wine country tour, add Jerome with the Jerome and Prescott tour, or see the Executive Sprinter.
Ready to book the date? Call our reservations team at (623) 986-6339, text (623) 986-6339, email reservations@scottsdalesprinters.com, or get a quote. Checkout shows exactly what is charged today and when any balance is due. Cancellation terms depend on your date and booking; read the cancellation policy before you book.
Our chauffeurs know which wineries have the best patios, which winemakers love to chat, and how to time your day. More importantly, they get you and your wine club purchases home safely.