Two New Local Wine Labels
Yesterday was Drink Wine Day, and we hope this list was a helpful guide to this burg s independent wine scene. And now, guess what: two more local, private-label wines have dropped. First, chef Joey Maggiore of The Maggiore Group (Tomaso’s, The Sicilian Butcher, Hash Kitchen) started his own wine line. Red, white, sparkling, and dessert wines will be released under the label Chef Joey, and the first wine (a cabernet sauvignon) is available only to dine-in customers at The Sicilian Butcher, for $50 a bottle. And Pita Jungle has also released two varietals a cabernet sauvignon and a chardonnay under the name Jungle Vino. Bottles are now available at all Arizona Pita Jungle locations for $18, or $5 a glass during happy hour.
In February, the 48th state celebrates its “birthday.” The last of the contiguous states, Arizona achieved statehood Feb. 14, 1912, and from industry to population, it has grown dramatically ever
A vineyard at the foot of desert mountains.
When you first think of the world’s great wine regions, you might not think of Arizona. Maybe you think of Napa, the Columbia Valley or even France and Italy come to mind. But over the last few years, winemakers in this state have done a lot to change that. The Arizona wine scene has become more respectable, but also more expansive.
When photographer Jenelle Bonifield was covering food and wine, she noticed there was a gap in local coverage.
Jenelle Bonifield
Jenelle Bonifield.
“I would cover some events, food and wine, and I was surprised that we had local food represented, but local wine wasn’t very well represented at most events, Bonifield said. So it was kind of my mission to inform people about the wine that we have here in Arizona.”