Craving wide-open skies, wine country charm, and cowboy spirit? Head to Sonoita, Arizona! Set in the rolling grasslands of southern Arizona, Sonoita is a hidden gem known for scenic drives, horseback riding, and award-winning vineyards. It’s perfect for peaceful escapes and tasting your way through desert wine country.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Sonoita is in the spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) when mild temperatures and sunny skies create ideal conditions for wine touring, hiking, and outdoor events. Summers are warm but comfortable thanks to the area's higher elevation.
How to Get There
- By Car: Sonoita is located at the junction of Highways 82 and 83, about 45 minutes south of Tucson and 2.5 hours from Phoenix.
- By Plane: The nearest major airport is Tucson International Airport (TUS), with rental cars available for the scenic drive to Sonoita.
- By Bike or Motorcycle: Scenic roads and rolling hills make Sonoita a favorite for cyclists and motorcyclists.
Where to Stay
- Sonoita Inn – Rustic-chic hotel with Western flair, comfortable rooms, and a great location near local wineries.
- Rancho Milagro Bed & Breakfast – Cozy countryside retreat with stunning views, warm hospitality, and gourmet breakfasts.
- Cabins and Vacation Rentals – Private, scenic stays throughout the Sonoita-Elgin area, ideal for couples or groups.
Top Attractions
- Arizona Wine Country – Taste your way through vineyards like Dos Cabezas, Callaghan, and Rune Wines in one of Arizona’s top wine regions.
- Empire Ranch – Historic ranch offering self-guided tours, exhibits, and scenic open-range vistas on public BLM land.
- Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve – Nearby nature preserve perfect for birdwatching and peaceful hikes through riparian habitat.
- Elgin-Sonoita Wine Trail – Follow this scenic loop of tasting rooms, farms, and local art studios across the valley.
Unique Wineries
1. Wander Wide-Open Spaces at Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area in Arizona is a joint venture of the United States Bureau of Land Management and the Empire Ranch Foundation. The foundation’s mission is “to protect, restore and sustain the Empire Ranch historical buildings and landscape as an outstanding western heritage education center.”
Located in the heart of the conservation area is the Empire Ranch Headquarters, which is open to the public from sunrise until sunset.
The Visitor Center is open to visitors during special events, volunteer work days, and docent tours. The United States Bureau of Land Management acquired the land for the conservation area in 1988. Map
2. Sip, Savor, and Laugh at Arizona Hops and Vines
Arizona Hops and Vines is a smaller winery in the Sonoita region of Arizona, featuring a family farm that provides a warm and fun place for both wine enthusiasts and families alike.
Visitors can come to the little, cheeky winery and spend some time sipping wine on the patio, share a story or two, and explore a winery that offers free Cheetos. Arizona Hops and Vines is run by two sisters with the help from their children and friends.
Arizona Hops and Vines , 3450 Highway 82, Sonoita, AZ 85637, Phone: 301-237-6556
3. Taste Bold Blends at Dos Cabezas WineWorks
Dos Cabezas WineWorks has had a significant role in the development of the wine scene in Arizona more more than twenty years. High-quality and distinctive fruit is supplied to the winery to produce its wines from two different estate vineyards: the Cimarron Vineyard and the Pronghorn Vineyard. Dos Cabezas WineWorks is located in the Sonoita area’s high desert grasslands. The winery also offers a place for guests to stay on site, offering the option for visitors to sip as much wine as they desire.
3248 Highway 82, Sonoita, AZ 85637, Phone: 520-455-5141
4. Enjoy Family Flavor at Wilhelm Family Vineyards
Wilhelm Family Vineyards is the premier vineyard for growing and producing Spanish wines in the state of Arizona. The Tasting Room at the winery is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from eleven in the morning to four in the afternoon. The Wilhelm Family Vineyards is situated right in the center of Arizona’s Empire Mountain plateau, approximately an hour away from Tucson. The tasting room embraces the beginnings of the vineyard, the heritage, and the wine culture of Arizona. It also features beautiful views of the surrounding mountain landscape, the vineyard, and the rolling grasslands.
Wilhelm Family Vineyards, 21 Mountain Ranch Dr, Elgin, AZ 85611, Phone: 520-455-9291
5. Relax with a View at Rune Wines’ Hilltop Tasting Room
Rune Wines prides itself on being an off-grid winery, as well as tasting room, situated in scenic, Sonoita in Arizona. The winery was founded in the year 2013 by winemaker James Callahan. Rune Wines is a culmination of Callahan’s knowledge he had acquired thus far combined with the knowledge he gained with each and every additional vintage. Rune is focused on doing things in a different way; focusing, honing, crafting, experimenting, and producing something truly special and unique, as well as enticing to wine lovers. Rune Wines aims to bring forth the best of the unique terroirs in its wines.
Rune Wines, 3969 AZ-82, Sonoita, AZ 85637, Phone: 520-338-8823
For Couples
6. Discover Southwestern Textiles at Nizhoni Ranch Gallery
The Nizhoni Ranch Gallery can be found only thirty miles to the southeast from Tucson in the small town of Sonoita. The town is located is tucked away in a stunning spot between the Huachuca, Mustang, and Santa Rita Mountains, offering many opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, winery visits, and more. In Navajo, the word “nizhoni” means “beautiful place.” The Nizhoni Ranch Gallery provides the local community, as well as visitors, with the finest historic and contemporary Navajo weaving, along with other select forms of Native American art. Items found at the gallery include baskets, blankets, jewelry, kachinas, and pottery.
51 E. Pinto Trail, Sonoita, AZ 85637, Phone: 520-455-5020, website
Where to Eat
7. If You Crave Farm-to-Table Comfort, Then Dine at The Cafe
The Cafe was founded in Sonoita, Arizona back in 2010 by Adam Puckle, a true local of the area. Adam brings his natural sense for food to the restaurant, providing customers with appetizing, comfortable, and approachable offerings designed to offer a price-valued and tasty dining experience, as well as something of interest for everyone. Daily specials are listed on the blackboards at The Cafe, as well as on the Twitter and Facebook accounts for the restaurant. The signature dish of Chef Adam is the A.P.E. Burger, and no two are quite exactly alike, offering guests something truly special.
The Cafe, 3280 Highway 82, Sonoita, AZ 85637, Phone: 520-455-5044
More Places to Eat
- The Steak Out Restaurant & Saloon – Legendary spot for mesquite-grilled steaks, live music, and Old West ambiance.
- Pronghorn Pizza – Wood-fired pizza truck with rotating locations and top-notch artisanal pies.
- Café Sonoita – Friendly roadside café serving breakfast burritos, burgers, and hearty daily specials.
Local Events
- Sonoita Vineyards HarvestFest (July) – Celebrate the grape harvest with wine tastings, food, music, and vineyard tours.
- Sonoita Horse Races (May) – Family-friendly weekend of traditional horse racing and rodeo-style fun.
- Sonoita-Elgin Wine Trail Festivals (Spring/Fall) – Seasonal wine festivals with local food, live music, and artisan vendors.
Day Trips Within 30 Minutes of Sonoita, Arizona
- Patagonia (20–25 min) – Charming artsy town with galleries, cafés, and scenic birdwatching trails.
- Sierra Vista (30 min) – Visit Fort Huachuca, shop local, or explore hiking and biking trails in the Huachuca Mountains.
- Tombstone (30 min) – Step into the Wild West with saloons, shootout reenactments, and Old West history.
- Kartchner Caverns State Park (30 min) – Tour spectacular limestone caves with guided programs and family activities.
- Coronado National Forest (25–30 min) – Hike and picnic in this mountain forest with sweeping views and wildlife.
FAQ
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Why is Sonoita a great destination for wine lovers?
- For anyone who thinks the idea of sipping local wines while taking in the breathtaking, wide-open scenery sounds like a perfect day, Sonoita is an ideal destination.
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What makes Sonoita special in Arizona’s wine industry?
- Sonoita is a part of the state’s original wine country, and tasting rooms and vineyards continue to thrive around the small village.
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Plan Your Trip