Pillsbury Wine Company is the evolution of a Dream-Come-True project by NZ Film Director Sam Pillsbury. Growing up in NZ, Sam witnessed the phenomenon of growing classical wine grapes in unusual places. On a camping trip in Arizona thought he could try the same thing here.
The location he picked was a high-altitude desert valley in Cochise County, 200 miles SE of Phoenix. This all came from a desire to get away from mass-produced ‘McDonalds’ wines and create a distinctive regional boutique wine that was 100% Arizona and 100% original. He gambled that the high-altitude, endless sunshine, sandy loam and dry desert would make for a perfect Terroir, and in 2000 he planted 20 acres of Rhone varieties at 4300 feet in Cochise County.
He now grows Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Viognier, Malvasia, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Symphony, Rousanne, Sangiovese, and Chenin Blanc.
Pillsbury was named ‘Best Local Winemaker’ by Phoenix Magazine, and ‘Best Arizona Winery’ by Arizona Foothills Magazine. The Wine Spectator called him one of the ‘Rising Stars of the Southwest’. Jancis Robinson in her new book American Wine wrote that he makes ‘some of Arizona’s finest wines.’ The accolades keep coming with Best Wine in Arizona (msn.com/foodanddrink) and 26 Medals in 2015 and 2016 from events including AZ Republic Competition, the Jefferson Cup, and the San Francisco Chronicle.
The Pillsbury Tasting Room on the rustic Vineyard/Winery property offers a unique experience in wine tasting. We encourage you to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy with a bottle or glass of Pillsbury wine. Tables and chairs scattered under the pines and pecan trees allow maximum satisfaction of the magical mountain and valley views.
Willcox
6450 S. Bennett Place
Willcox, Arizona 85643
Thursday-Sunday 11am-5pm, or by appointment
Cottonwood
1012 N Main St.
Cottonwood, AZ 86326 US