Sedona’s Secret 7 Unlocks New Destinations, Angles

Sedona’s Secret 7

Unlocks New Destinations, Angles

It’s easy to feel like you know everything there is to know about Sedona, especially after you’ve been there and realized all those resorts and shops and vortexes are set among the red rocks in a relatively small town.

But this burg of 10,000 residents has many less-explored sites and experiences, and its Chamber of Commerce wants everyone to know about them. The “Sedona Secret 7” isn’t a list of seven locations, its seven categories, each containing several “secret spots.” Q

The next time you visit this astonishingly beautiful area, do yourself a favor and use the guide and map available at www.visitsedona. com/sedona-secret-7 to help you find these places. Each page will give you directions starting from the Sedona Visitors Information Center, 331 Forest Road. Below is just a sampling of what you’ve probably been missing. ARTS AND CULTURE Sedona Arts Center — A nonprofit organization housed in the Uptown District’s Art Barn, this houses a fine art gallery with the largest collection of works by local artists. BIKING Aerie Trail — Intermediate 2.9-mile (one way) singletrack trail between the Aerie and Boynton Canyon trailheads with views of Boynton Canyon, Fay Canyon and Bear Mountain. For a 4.4mile loop around Doe Mountain and back to the Aerie trailhead, turn left at the Cockscomb Trail. HIKING Schuerman Mountain Trail — A short out-and-back hike to the basaltic lava left behind by an ancient, now-extinct volcano. You can travel a 2-mile loop by taking the Vista Trail and then hiking to the top of Schuerman Mountain. PICNICS Posse Grounds Park — The City of Sedona’s first park has 10 ramadas, several short, easy walking trails, a playground, bike skills and skate parks and impressive views of the surrounding red rocks. SPIRITUAL Thunder Mountain Trailhead — Take a short walk from the parking lot to the trailhead and you’ll find a secluded plateau that’s ideal for a moment of meditation or unrolling your yoga mat for some poses. The steep trail itself scales one of the highest peaks in Sedona for those in search of physical as well as spiritual experiences. STARGAZING Brins Mesa Trailhead — Just north of Uptown Sedona, this trailhead’s parking lot requires a Red Rock Pass and is far enough from ambient light to provide stunning, starry views often bright enough to illuminate red rock outlines. VISTAS Beaverhead Flat Scenic Trailhead — A few miles south of the Village of Oak Creek, this quieter site promises a different view of the Verde Valley, including a series of green mesas out to the east that are especially pretty under a light dusting of snow.

Verde Valley Clinches Wine Label Status

by Staff Reports

More than four years after the initial petition was submitted, Northern Arizona’s Verde Valley is now an American Viticultural Area (AVA).

This designation identifies the unique geography, topography, soils and climate of the Verde Valley AVA as a federally recognized grape growing region.

Alongside Arizona’s first two AVAs, Sonoita and Willcox, being designated an AVA gives Verde Valley AVA vintners the opportunity to describe the specific origin of the grapes used to make their wines.

The designation was awarded to the area by the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau in November.

“Publications are coming out of nowhere congratulating us and singing our praises about this accomplishment,” says Tom Schumacher, president of the Verde Valley Wine Consortium. “It’s a great feeling.” Attendance in the tasting rooms also appears to be on the increase, as are bottle sales, he adds.

Located in the geographic center of Arizona, the Verde Valley AVA covers an area of 219 square miles in northeastern Yavapai County centered on the junction of Oak Creek and the Verde River. Approximately 36% (79 square miles) of the AVA is privately owned land, while federal and state entities manage the remainder. According to the Verde Valley Wine Trail, the Verde Valley AVA includes 19 commercial vineyards farming more than 136 acres of wine grapes. Twenty-four additional vineyard acres are planned within the next three years.

The region boasts 25 tasting rooms. Also located within the Verde Valley AVA is Yavapai College, an accredited educational institution that offers classes, certificates and an associate degree in viticulture and enology.

Vineyards in the Verde Valley AVA grow more than 40 white and red wine grape varieties.

Paula Woolsey, vice president of the wine consortium, said there has been an “amazing amount of media inquiries, articles, podcasts and influential wine industry publications speaking our praise. Tourists to the area are asking about the AVA and enjoying more wines every day.”

The first bottles officially produced under the AVA designation will be on the market soon, she says, with the white wines being released as early as March or April and the reds released later in the year.

For more information about the Verde Valley AVA, visit www.verdevalleyava.org.