A Vine Adventure

A growing part of the “Sedona experience” for many visitors is an encounter with local viticulture. Winemaking throughout Northern Arizona has climbed on the fast track in recent years, with vineyards, winemakers and tasting rooms popping up everywhere. It would be easy to assume that this is “oh by the way” wine, meant to cash in on Sedona’s popularity as a tourist destination. In fact, local producers are creating enduring, award-winning wines of considerable distinction.

Newcomers to area winemaking may be surprised at the high quality, considering Arizona’s reputation for hot temperatures and desert landscape. Northern Arizona, it turns out, offers significant advantages in climate, soil and growing conditions. With plenty of sunshine and a long growing season, many grape types flourish here.
While the rising profile of Arizona wines is a recent development, winemaking in the Copper State is not. Spanish missionaries brought Old World growing methods and grapes to the American Southwest as early as the sixteenth century. Once their sporadic efforts at cultivation subsided, permanent vineyards were a long time in coming.
Commercial use of Arizona grapes got underway in the early 1980’s. Despite the late start compared to other, better known winemaking regions, such as California, Arizona has already proved a good home to several thriving varietals. A nice mix of both reds and whites have matured into worthy estate wines here.

So what to do to enjoy the best local wines? You can visit the scene of the crime, at four nearby vineyards, or stop in at any of a dozen tasting rooms within a half hour radius of Sedona Real.

Fifteen minutes south of the hotel, three wineries sit just a stone’s throw apart in Page Springs. Situated in the Oak Creek watershed, they benefit from a potent combination of abundant sunlight, efficient hillside drainage and hospitable, volcanic soil. The result is a lovely mix of reds and whites, including a sparkler or two.
While each of the three produces both reds and whites, it is fair to say that Page Springs Cellars has had great success with Rhone-style red varietals. Javelina Leap knocks out peppery, earthy reds, and Oak Creek Vineyards excels at crisp, well-rounded whites.

Another waterside vineyard is Alcantara, overlooking the Verde River, just a few hundred yards from the confluence with Oak Creek. Known for robust reds and nicely balanced whites, Alcantara produces estate wines as well as blends using grapes sourced in Arizona and elsewhere.

All four of these wineries offer tasting, occasional cellar and/or vineyard tours and of course, wine for purchase by the bottle or case. Three of the four accommodate visitors on a deck or patio overlooking the water. All four serve edible accompaniments such as Panini, cheese, deli items and more.
In Sedona proper, four tasting rooms showcase local wines. Four more can be found in Old Town Cottonwood, twenty minutes from the hotel. Jerome has three of its own, about thirty minutes away. Some tasting rooms represent a single area vineyard or producer; some sell wines produced from local as well as out-of-state grapes.

Even Yavapai College is in the wine business. The college just broke ground at the new Southwest Wine Center, where students in the viticulture and enology degree program will learn their craft by cultivating seventeen acres of grapes.

Sedona Real is the ideal jumping off point for all your area wine touring. Close to in-town venues, you will also be nearer here than at any other Sedona hotel to Page Springs, Cottonwood and Jerome.
Here is a list of options for your tasting pleasure.

Vineyards.
In Page Springs: Page Springs Cellars; Oak Creek Vineyards; Javelina Leap.
In Camp Verde: Alcantara Winery.
Tasting rooms and Wineries.
In Sedona: Sedona Wine and Beer Company; Made In Arizona; The Art Of Wine; Tasting Arizona.
In Cottonwood: Arizona Stronghold; Pillsbury Wine Company; Old Town Wine Cellar; Burning Tree Cellars.
In Jerome: Merkin & Caduceus Cellars; Jerome Winery; Grapes; Bitter Creek Winery.

Join us at Sedona Real Inn & Suites this summer! We are having a great special from May 28th-August 15th. Stay 2 nights and save 20%. Stay 3 nights or more and save 25%! Find out more here: sedonareal.com or us at 800-353-1239. Our concierge team can make all your arrangements for winery visits, dining and Sedona activities.

Blog contributed by: Tod Young, Concierge at Sedona Real Inn & Suites

Mother’s Day 2013 – Concierge Picks for Best Dining!

Mother’s Day. It’s coming. May 12th. Mark it down.

But you knew that already. And you’re pulling out all the stops to show Mom a good time. One way you can let her know she’s the best – and worth the best – is to take her out for a wonderful brunch or dinner at a sumptuous Sedona eatery.

Plenty of places with distinctive menus will be mom-ready. She can enjoy Belgian waffles, prime rib, champagne or a variety of unique menu items on her special day. With a little planning and a reservation, your celebration of mom-ness will be a big hit.

Most area restaurants will be pleased to offer your mother a flower when she makes her entrance. She might hear live music, see an amazing ice sculpture or have a tasty dessert she doesn’t normally allow herself. Whatever she wants. It’s her day.

The Barking Frog, just over a half mile from the hotel, will be serving Mother’s Day brunch, a three course affair with several choices for each course, including dessert, all for $19.95. A mile from the hotel, Dahl and Diluca, home of classic Italian fare served in an Old World atmosphere, is planning special menu items for dinner, and flowers of course.

At Golden Goose, dinner choices, beginning at 3:00 pm, will include specials on salmon with Cajun shrimp sauce, lamb shank, chicken cordon bleu, sea bass and a seafood trio of lobster tail, scallops and shrimp. The Goose is less than a mile from Sedona Real.

Che Ah Chi, situated in a box canyon at the Enchantment Resort, is preparing “Sunday brunch with a twist,” according to their kitchen staff. Think ice sculpture, champagne, and surprises; $69 for adults, $32.50 for children. Che Ah Chi is in the Dry Creek Basin, five miles from the hotel.

Shugrue’s Hillside Grill, boasting magnificent red rock views, will supplement their traditional surf and turf lunch and dinner menus with three specials at each meal, plus flowers. If you visit Mesa Grill, expect some “festive” additions to the regular lunch and dinner offerings. The views there take in almost every major rock formation in the surrounding landscape.

L’Auberge de Sedona will serve Mother’s Day brunch indoors, as well as outdoors on the patio, where some tables are within sight and sound of the creek. They will offer seasonal treats with your mother in mind, and champagne as usual. $85 for adults, $30 for children.

Reservations anywhere are a good idea. Once you’ve made Mother’s Day plans, reset the dial for Father’s Day on June 16th. From steak to swordfish, Sedona restaurants will do dad proud.

For both Mom and Dad, be sure to keep the party going after brunch or dinner. Several local tour companies will offer holiday discounts. Check with Red Rock Jeep for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day specials. Bon appetit.

For accommodations reservations, go to our specials page at Sedonareal.com and get a jump on our best rates! To do some trip planning with Tod and/or Debbie (our concierges) call us anytime at 800-353-1239! They can help you make reservations for all your holidays and special occasion visits here at Sedona Real Inn & Suites.

Blog Contributed by: Tod, Concierge at Sedona Real Inn & Suites

Summer fun in Sedona!

Sedona offers an abundance of fun activities for families. With over 100 hiking trails, recreation parks, and numerous touring options such as helicopter rides, jeep tours, scenic train excursion, and ATV tours; there are limitless choices to suit your vacation time and budget.

Beautiful Oak Creek meanders through Oak Creek Canyon and the heart of Sedona offering several refreshing swimming areas. The infamous Slide Rock State Park located in Oak Creek Canyon is a nature created water park featuring slippery slides over natural red rock sandstone. Grasshopper Point is another popular swimming hole in Oak Creek Canyon with inviting deep clear pools for an invigorating swim. The scenic Crescent Moon Ranch only minutes from the hotel offers picnic grounds, creek swimming and trails; all with the majestic Cathedral Rock as a backdrop. For a unique evening adventure, plan your visit around the full moon and enjoy a “Moonlight Walk” at Red Rock State Park, also just minutes from Sedona Real Inn.

Events are on-going throughout the summer in Sedona. The annual Sedona Bluegrass festival taking place June 3rd-9th will be showcasing emerging Bluegrass artists from around the USA. July 4th celebrations include a live concert in the park during the day followed by an evening laser light show. Tlaquepaque honors Independence Day on Saturday, July 6th, with their Sizzlin’s Summer Bash. This celebration is a great family event with a BBQ, live music and entertainment for the kids. For a little authentic cowboy action, make plans to participate in the National Day of the Cowboy Celebration on July 27th held in Uptown Sedona, complete with gunfights, roping, music, storytelling and much more. August is peak season for the hummingbird population, and August 2nd-4th, it is celebrated with The Sedona Hummingbird Festival. The festival includes many entertaining and educational presentations and tours of hummingbird hotspots. The summer season comes to a close with the Moonlight Madness Street Festival and Sidewalk Sale August 31st through September 2nd. You can spend the days enjoying great bargains plus entertainment and activities for the whole family.

Wind down your days relaxing in the hotel hot tub or with a refreshing dip in the pool. Our new family park complete with patio area and fire pit, picnic tables and barbeque grill, offers the perfect area for a family picnic and entertaining game of Frisbee.

Take advantage of our summer promotions and spend your summer vacation with us. Stay with us two nights, May 28 through August 15, and save 20%; stay three nights or more and save 25%. The longer you stay, the less you will pay! We look forward to helping you plan the perfect summer vacation!

To make reservations call us at 800-353-1239 or go to sedonareal.com

Blog contributed by: Debbie Dubois – Concierge at Sedona Real Inn & Suites

Photo Credits:
(Slide Rock Swimmer – Bill85704 on Flickr)

The Sedona Hotel for Mountain Bikers!

Look at what’s parked in our lot this morning?

We are proud to be hosting Sram (www.sram.com), here to launch their new product line!

What’s so great about Sedona for mountain biking?

Sedona is considered one of the best locations in the USA for single-track riders with the opening of more trails: approximately 150 miles more. Over the last few years, the increase in visitors heading our way for biking vacations has inspired the forest service to build and improve many off-road paths throughout the Verde Valley. We are being compared to long time established biking meccas like Moab and Fruita with mild winters, unparalleled beauty and challenging landscape. The town of Sedona itself offers approximately 300 miles of riding opportunities all with a magnificent red rock backdrop.

As we here at Sedona Real Inn started to get more guests with bikes, we heeded the call and began to expand our amenities to include specific benefits for our biking guests. Last year, we added a washing station and we also allow bikes in the rooms. On the social side, we just completed a fire pit inviting an opportunity spot to hang out after a ride.

Our General Manager, Rob Holeman is an avid mountain biker himself and loved to share his suggestions and tips for biking in the Sedona area. During the summer weekends, he also will ride with guests if asked. You can follow his rides on our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/sedonarealinn. Be sure to like our page also for all our updates!

Whether you are a new or experienced biker, we recommend Over The Edge Sports (otesports.com) in West Sedona which is a “one-stop biking shop offering the best in rentals, sales, service and fun”! They also offer guided tours in conjunction with Hermosa Tours – Mountain Bike Vacations (www.hermosatours.net).

For more information on mountain biking in Sedona, feel free to contact our concierge staff at 800-353-1239. We would love to help you plan your perfect biking trip! And this spring, you will save 17% on stays of two nights or more! See all our current specials here: http://www.sedonareal.com/specials/

Let us know if you are planning a biking trip to Sedona in 2013!

Contributed by Staff at Sedona Real Inn & Suites

New Laundry Facility at the Sedona Real Inn

You’re on an exciting trip in the high desert Southwest, enjoying great scenery, and after a few days it’s time for…laundry. Especially if you’ve been hiking around Sedona’s red rock landscape. It’s not just the rocks that are red, it’s the dirt too.

You want this distracting chore to be easy, something you can do easily at the hotel. And so it is.

Our new guest laundry facility offers two washers and two dryers for your use, as well as a folding table, in the building just across from the lobby. They are coin operated and ready for duty.

Our back-up washer-dryer combo machine is still available in the pool area for those who prefer to be outside while their clothes tumble, perhaps enjoying a dip or a soak. You can get as much change as you need at the front desk.

Contributed by Tod Young, Concierge at Sedona Real Inn & Suites