Arizona wine tasting – Episode #536

September 10, 2008

Gary Vaynerchuk tries 4 wines from Arizona and gives us an update on what is going on over in the “The Grand Canyon State”

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“QOTD: My old man lives in Tucson so I think of the Sonoran Desert (Sag…” by Don
“Happy late birthday to your father. A great man ( far greater than yo…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Viognier
2005 La Montana
2006 Keeling Schaefer Grenache
2005 Callaghan Padres

Links mentioned in todays episode.

205 Responses

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September 11, 2008

Ryan
Glad to see it posted after missing it yesterday! Arizona, nice! Not sure I can get Arizona wine around here, but drinking a good Cali Merlot right now, pretty astonished by the complexity here. Wouldn’t mind going on a free cruise!
September 11, 2008

Hido53
Great show Gary!
QOTD: Never had any wines from Arizona. Have a bottle of Gruet Rose Bubbly, from New Mexico, in the fridge ready to go. What comes to mind when I think Arizona? . . . well, first of all, I think of the fact that the Cardinals beat our ass this past weekend! (Niner fan). Then I think of the fact that we finished off a sweep of the Diamondbacks today (Giants fan). Then I think . . . hot, hot, hot weather, scorpions, snakes, spiders, and other venom-loaded creatures, cactii, and golf courses!
September 11, 2008

OB1
QOTD: Yes. In fact, I started a thread on Sonoita in the Wine Travel forum.

I have been told by a couple of the winemakers that they’re going to start experimenting with malbec in Sonoita. Apparently the conditions are very similar to some of those in Argentina.

At any rate, there are some good wines coming out of that region, and Callaghan is definitely the best. Unfortunately, you do have to pay a bit extra for the cachet of having wine from Arizona.
September 11, 2008

MattyO
gary V

never been to arizona, or had wine from there. but when i think of arizona i think of the navajo indians. love indians culture!

totally got one of my moms friends into WLTV today. she watched an episode in her office! thanks for a great show! keep rockin on!
September 11, 2008

jsrassat
Hot, dry, and creepy crawly things that could kill you.
September 11, 2008

Paul V
QOTD: Never had Arizona wine though next time I visit my family in Arizona, i’ll have to try to find one or two of these places. I’d love to try it.

Arizona makes me think of the brutal heat in the summer. So hot it’s scary.
September 11, 2008

Jaybird
no
September 11, 2008

Chris in Tulsa
Happy Bday to your Dad!
QOTD: Never had a wine from Arizona. Love Tool! Wanna try a wine from there!
September 11, 2008

Luke
QOTD: I’ve never had and Arizona wine, but when I think of Arizona I tend to think of Matt Leinart and his epic fail so far in his career.

But I can’t really talk smack when my Chiefs are trying to build up Brodie Croyle as the QB of the future.
September 11, 2008

RANDI
Happy Birthday Sasha!!

QOTD: I lived in AZ, and am planning a possible return… I have emailed in the past about AZ Wines…Ive had several and have been pleasantly surprised.
(Ive also tried La Montana and completely agree…way too oaky)
September 11, 2008

Jlair
When I hear Arizona I think of the Airplane graveyard and this steakhouse we used to visit every time I would fly in for the night in the Military, i think it was called Pinnacle Pete’s in Tuscan.

Great show Gary. Just to let you know…I was spreading the thunder yesterday to a client of mine. Todays show was probably his first.
September 11, 2008

neutron212
QOTD: No and what i think about AZ is the next president of the United States and Tombstone
September 10, 2008

BruceErik
Lived in AZ for 7 years and tried a number of wines there. Some of my favorites came from Kokopelli Winery. Their Ratafia, a muscat, is very tasty, and you have to love the “designer” bottle it comes in with the hand-painted scenics and icons.

When I think of Arizona I think of bright sun and blue sky … so common you almost forget there is anything else.
September 10, 2008

Divya Mistry
QOTD: Never had Arizona wine, and never even been to Arizona. Arizona will be on my radar now. May be after seeing this episode, I’ll be on the look out for some arizona wine love.
September 10, 2008

Michael Nelson
Gary! When I think of Arizona I think of the sunrise as I drove West on I-8 to San Diego. The red of the desert was amazing until a semi-truck practically sideswiped me. My U-Haul ate it. I have never had an Arizona wine, but I will keep an eye out for it here in SoCal.

Question: How does a region get an “AVA” status that protects it’s name and the growers in that region?
September 10, 2008

Scrivers
I have been to AZ many times, but I have not tried any wines from there. I can see grapes withering on the vines in the extreme heat of that area, so until this show I had never thought of having wines from that part of the US. Thanks for the show.
September 10, 2008

Lawrence Leichtman
Been to Arizona many times and didn’t even know they had wine. Always get Margaritas there. Thanks for bringing every state to the front. So where is next, Colorado or Wyoming?
September 10, 2008

Tennessee Jed
Great Show! Keep on showing us up and wine coming areas GV!
September 10, 2008

Jimmy G
Happy Birthday Sasha!!

I’ve never had an AZ wine, but I plan on going out there next year and I hope to try one in person. I’m a huge fan of Tool and Maynard James Keenan, however I’ve never had a chance to try his wines. I guess I’m going to have to go check it out.
September 10, 2008

*/^_^\*
qotd: no.
qqotd: previously it would’ve been the ‘desert swarm’ defense of the UA teams from the late 90’s. now it will likely be TOOL.
September 10, 2008

Jason Baer
Also, QOTD: My favorite AZ wine is the 2003 Callaghan Buena Suerte (50% PV, 50% Cab). Been holding a case since release. Decanted and drank one a few months ago for a family celebration. Fantastic.

GV, Callaghan is also making a single varietal PV you should check out. It tastes like black licorice covered with Crest toothpaste. Crazy.
September 10, 2008

Benjamin
QOTD: Never had AZ Vino

When i think about AZ i think about UAT University, a school i am looking at transfering to….
September 10, 2008

Melissa (mbensonterp)
QOTD never had az wine..I think of snow birds….Gramma lives there.
No fair I want a secret pack!!! big whine..have we found a way around this yet??? I live in WA Gary you ROCK
September 10, 2008

Jason Baer
THANK YOU for doing an AZ show.

I’ve been collecting them for a long time. The Callaghans are good friends. We own a bunch of property right near them, and they are awesome people and are killing it with their wines. They have something like 10 different wines. Padres is good, and also look for Caitlin’s, Claire’s, Buena Suerte and Lisa’s (a Viognier blend).

GV, how bout a road trip down there for a live show when you’re in AZ next month for the Marketing Profs conference? Live from Callaghan vineyards? It’s about a 2.5 hour trip from Phoenix. I’ll drive you myself, or I can get us a helicopter.
September 10, 2008

Robin C
QOTD: I’ve never had an Arizona wine. When I think about Arizona I think about my cousins who live there, the Grand Canyon, and Sedona – great shopping.

We had the Rosenblum Petite Syrah Heritage Clones 2006 tonight. It was exceptional.

Happy birthday to Sasha. I think he named you Gavrel.