Good wine takes time, and at D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards, the wait is finally over. Four small-batch reserve reds are making their debut, and the Cornville estate is celebrating with a holiday weekend of food, live music, Santa, and Christmas cheer.
Holiday Reserve Weekend, Nov. 27-29, brings wine pairings, festivities, and another reason to raise a glass: D.A.Ranch will remain open throughout winter, giving wine lovers more opportunities to escape to Arizona wine country.
Making their debut are four 2023 releases: Gertrude Syrah, Nestor’s Tale Cabernet Sauvignon, Twelve Dog Tempranillo, and Generations Petite Sirah. Each spent 18 months aging in oak barrels, followed by another 18 months in the bottle. That’s three years of patience. Now it’s time to pour.
“We’ve been waiting years for this moment, and we’re so excited to finally share these wines,” says Alexis Petznick, executive officer at D.A.Ranch. “There’s something really special about opening a bottle that’s been carefully aged and seeing people enjoy that first sip. We’re pulling out all the stops for the holidays, with the ranch dressed up for Christmas, music, great food, and plenty of reasons to linger. We can’t wait to welcome everyone out and celebrate.”
A Holiday Dinner Party (With Really Good Wine)
Saturday’s ticketed tasting feels more like a holiday dinner party than a traditional tasting.
Guests gather at two communal tables, with four reserves and their appetizers served tableside. Just 22 seats per session leave room to compare favorites, trade pairing ideas, and take home tasting cards.
And the menu? Definitely not your average cheese-and-crackers situation. Twelve Dog Tempranillo pairs with stuffed arancini and chimichurri. Generations Petite Sirah accompanies a cocoa lamb hand pie, while Nestor’s Tale Cabernet Sauvignon is served with aged cheddar polenta and braised beef in a smoky barbecue-French onion sauce. Gertrude Syrah rounds out the lineup with poached pear, whipped Gorgonzola, and candied pecans. Assorted chocolates provide a sweet finish.
Four Saturday seatings are available: 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m., 1:30-2:45 p.m., 3-4:30 p.m., and 4:45-6:15 p.m. Tickets cost $65 per person, plus tax and a 15% automatic gratuity. Reservations are available through Tock.
Santa, S’mores & More Reasons To Stay
Santa visits Saturday from 2-6 p.m., with live music throughout the day. Sunday features Sister & The Sun from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by Thunder and Lightnin’ from 2-5 p.m. Seoul Happy Korean BBQ will be on-site both days, along with s’mores for purchase.
The Christmas-decorated lodge stays open until 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with special pricing on reserve wines, limited past vintages, and ranch favorites Homestead Red and Red Barn Red. The Arizona Wine Club also offers member discounts and tasting perks.
And the good news doesn’t end with the holidays. D.A.Ranch will remain open throughout winter, offering a quieter escape to Arizona wine country.
“Winter is such a special time here, and we’re really excited to share it with more people,” Petznick says. “There’s something wonderful about spending an afternoon at the ranch when things are a little quieter. Bring your friends, discover a new wine, and just enjoy being here.”
Insider Takeaways
- Four Reds Worth the Wait: Four 2023 reserve wines debut after 18 months in oak and another 18 months in the bottle.
- A Delicious Pairing: Saturday’s $65 tasting features four wines, four appetizers, and just 22 seats per session.
- Santa Meets Syrah: Expect live music, Santa, Korean barbecue, s’mores, and holiday wine specials.
- Winter Wine Country: D.A.Ranch will stay open throughout winter, offering quieter vineyard visits.
Set along Oak Creek on more than 100 acres, D.A.Ranch is home to estate vineyards, towering cottonwoods, and a century-old red barn. Holiday Reserve Weekend runs Nov. 27-29 at 1900 Dancing Apache Road in Cornville. For reservations, wine club information, and winter hours, visit daranch.com.
