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

Daithin
Great to see an AZ show! Not only because I live here, but because I’m taking my first tour of southern arizona wineries this weekend, and Callaghan and Dos Cabazas are on the list. Happy birthday, Sasha!
September 11, 2008

Bill C
You called me at home about a month ago. I’m Erin V’s dad. I had just opened a 2004 Rancho Rossa Syrah (AZ wine) when you called. I wasn’t too impressed with it that night but decided that it might open up if it aired overnight. Next day it was completely different. Huge dark chocolate and it had cooled a lot. (16% alc.) Overall, it was a good effort. I’d go 89+.
I have a 2005 Keeling Shaefer Syrah in the cooler that my wine making buddy says is outstanding. He buys grapes from Keeling and has made some nice wines.
Thanks again for the call. Love the show.
September 11, 2008

DAve A
SECRETPACKSAREBACK! yes!

QOTD: never knew a winery was in Arizona. When I think – I think of Canyon De Celly and how neat a place that is to visit. I also think of 114 heat in Phoenix during the summers!
September 11, 2008

David Dadekian
QOTD: Never had one but of course I would like to try things. Gary, you really have to stop scheduling things when I have previous engagements (that I really wish I could break!). Lucky in family, unlucky in Wine Library events!
September 11, 2008

Alex Core
I haven’t ever had an Arizona wine. I am kind of curious to see what’s going on down there. I’m into the odd wine states, Like Michigan and Ohio.

Honestly… When I think of Arizona I get images of old retired “folk” playing shuffle board. Mainly because half of the Chicago area goes to Arizona to retire.
September 11, 2008

Yoni Rabkin
Loved the EP, sent Sasha an email.

It would be awesome if you could review Maynard’s wine!
September 11, 2008

MannyPants
Good show GV. Happy Birthday to your pops. I have been to AZ, and certainly the first thig that comes to mind is HOT. Never tried one of their wines, but I’d be interesred to give it a shot.
September 11, 2008

Andy
QOTD— Had one last year but the juice came from Cali… Arizona is a desert
can be a fun destination.
September 11, 2008

suika1
unfortunate that the secret packs aren’t available to all of us… living in GA (and despite the recent change in laws) I still can’t order from you and am just too far to drive up to say ‘Hi!”….

sad, is it not?
September 11, 2008

brorjace
Never had any AZ wine. I think mostly of all those beautiful pictures you see of the desert and the cliffs and all that. Oh, and its also home to the Cubs spring training, which is nice.
September 11, 2008

Glen... winecrazy.com
Never had AZ wines but I’ll be there next month so I’ll try some when I’m there. In fact I’m flying back that Monday for the super tasting to take you up on that private room tasting offer you made me.

Looking forward to it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SASHA!!!!!!!!!
September 11, 2008

Brad
QOTD: Never had an AZ wine, but when I think of AZ I think of my Edgar Allan Poe professor, G.R. Thompson.
September 11, 2008

Raffy
Never had an AZ wine! but sure would like to try one.
Am from the Philippines and I’m curious how i can participate with the secret pack tasting, maybe you can send a list to us who can’t buy the pack and try to see if we can source the bottles on our own.
Do enjoy the show!
September 11, 2008

Clintus
Arizona FTW!!!

So awesome that you did a show on our state. I’ve been meaning to hit up the vineyards on the way to Sedona too. I’ll have to look out for these wines.
September 11, 2008

Carolyn
Hey Gary –

QOTD – Never had an Arizona wine but will take advantage if I come across one!

When I think of AZ, I think red dirt, dry, and Grand Canyon. Would love to take a family trip sometime.
September 11, 2008

Snarf
QOTD: not had an AZ wine. When I think of AZ, I think of visiting my wife’s parents. Not a bad thing.
September 11, 2008

theemptyglass
QOTD: I don’t think I’ve had Arizona wine, but I’ve had New Mexican wine, that’s close right? Arizona makes me think of desert and road trips to Mexico (went on many of those as a child). And recently it makes me think of McCain.
September 11, 2008

KVolk
QOTD: nope never had…thought it was to tough of a climate for the grapes…

I think of the Grand Canyon and the painted desert mostly….fun state to visit but I really like the southwest……
September 11, 2008

Justin L. Ove
I’m stoked you did a show on Arizona wines because I’m moving there very soon. I’ll have to check out the Callahan winery, hopefully they’ll give me a job!

What are the chances of you bringing Mr. Keenan himself on the show for a tasting of his wines? That would certainly rock, and would probably be really funny. That guy is hilarious!
Great show, thanks Gary
September 11, 2008

Rob R
Great show, I’ll have to try to find the 4th wine.

QOTD: Coyotes, don’t know why, but that is what first came to mind.
September 11, 2008

Peter Seid
QOTD: Born, raised and still living in AZ! Lived 18 yrs in Phoenix, and now I go to school at University of Arizona in Tucson. When I think of AZ, I think of the desert, monsoons, hot summers, nice winters, and incredible sunsets. Never had wine from AZ prob because I don’t drink, but will suggest that my parents try the good ones.
September 11, 2008

Kent
I was surprise that he mentioned Maynard. I’m a GIGANTIC FAN of Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer. I would like to see how Gary rates some Caduceus wines that Maynard makes (if he hasn’t already?). I’ve ordered 3 bottles of every Caduceus wine that has been available so far. I’ve drank 2 of each so far but I’m simply too much of an amateur taster to analyze or rate it. To me it just tastes like wine some sweeter, or more dry than others etc… I still have a bottle left of each kind, I’d be more than willing to send them to Gary for him to rate them because I know that most of the Caduceus wine is basically gone.
September 11, 2008

Mr.Ambassador
Hey GV,

It’s always interesting to hear impressions and tasting notes on wines from states other than the big four. I haven’t sampled a wine made in Arizona yet; if it were being poured for a tasting I’d indulge but I’m not certain that I’d spring for a bottle at this point… When I hear Arizona I think of National Parks, scenery and the regional sport teams (pretty generic answer, I know).
September 11, 2008

Daniel Kloke
QOTD: Neither my wife nor I have experienced an Arizona wine. However, we have driven through Arizona on occasion and the people we met are as warm and friendly as the state (we highly recommend a visit if you haven’t been). Next time, wine tasting is obviously on the schedule.

When I asked Jennifer (my Texan wife) the QOTD, she said “think about the breadth, colors, and warmth of a Texas sunset and bottle it. That’s what I think of when I think of Arizona.” We are fans.
September 11, 2008

Nik Skoufis
Great show. QOTD Never been to Arizona or had any of their wines. Never even been to the US as a matter of fact. I’m an Aussie boy. But when I think of a Arizona I think of the Grand Canyon.