Things To Do In Sonoita, Arizona: Wine Country & Antique Haven

1. Take a tour of the area wineries

Thirteen wineries are spread across Sonoita, beckoning you to come enjoy a glass of wine and take in the beautiful desert landscape. Choose one or tour them all—if tasting rooms are your choice destination, try Callaghan Vineyards, Flying Leap Vineyards & Distillery, Sonoita Vineyards, or the Village of Elgin Winery/Elgin Distillery. All four wineries offer tasting rooms and the opportunity to try wines you may never have even heard of.

Though wine tasting may be viewed as an expensive activity, at Callaghan Vineyards the tasting fee for five wines is only 5 USD if you bring your own glass. The winery also offers art for sale, so you’ll be able to browse the pieces after you’ve enjoyed some wine.

If you prefer whiskey to wine, tour the whiskey distillery at Flying Leap Vineyards and stay for a drink. At the Village of Elgin Winery & Distillery, stop by the gift shop to commemorate your visit with a souvenir, and don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for the peacock that roams the property.

Perhaps the most scenic destination in town is Sonoita Vineyards—located among rolling hills with a lavish tasting room, you’ll feel luxurious just visiting. If you’re interested, you’ll also be able to briefly tour the processing area and learn a little bit more about how the wines are made.

Sonoita Vineyards

Address: Sonoita Vineyards, 290 Elgin Canelo Rd, Elgin, AZ 85611

Price: from 10 USD

Opening Hours: 10am - 4pm. Closed on public holidays.

Duration: around 3 hours required.

Access: Accessible by driving.

Contact: +1 520 4555593

Near by Food: Callaghan Vineyards, Flying Leap Vineyards, & Village of Elgin Winery

Website: Sonoita Vineyards

2. Take a walk through history at Heart of Gold Antiques

If you love quaint antique shops, don’t miss the chance to browse everything Heart of Gold Antiques has to offer. Filled to the brim with beautiful, historic pieces, the owner, Patricia Rorex, will be happy to fill you in on the history of her collection.

If you’re a serious collector, make sure to talk to Patricia about your interests, as she has a variety of connections and might be able to track down a specific piece for you. Even if you’re not an avid antique collector, don’t leave the store without hearing Patricia’s story about how she has filled her store with interesting items. You’ll be sure to learn a thing or two!

Open from 10 AM - 6 PM every day of the week, make sure to schedule some time to shop your way through pieces of Arizona’s history. Bring back a souvenir with you or just browse—either way, Heart of Gold Antiques will offer you a different view of this beautiful area.

Heart of Gold Antiques

Address: Heart of Gold Antiques, 3266 AZ-82, Sonoita, AZ 85637

Price: from 10 USD

Opening Hours: 10am - 6pm. Closed on public holidays.

Duration: around 1 hour required.

Access: Located off of Arizona Highway 82.

Contact: +1 520 3940199

Near by Food: Sonoita Vineyards

Website: Heart of Gold Antiques

3. Explore Native American art at the Nizhoni Ranch Gallery

As a curator of Native American art, the Nizhoni Ranch Gallery is best known for its wide selection of Navajo rugs, blankets, and weavings. If you’ve never had the opportunity to peruse Native American art, the Nizhoni Ranch Gallery is a wonderful way to learn about it. The gallery actually boasts the largest collection of historic Navajo rugs in the country!

You’ll notice that the gallery is displayed in a charming, historic ranch house, which has been featured on “Homes Across America.” Blankets, baskets, pueblo pottery, and other pieces are displayed throughout the home.

Open by appointment only, be sure to call the gallery and set up a showing. You’ll be able to pick up a new rug for your home or just learn about Native American weaving techniques.

Nizhoni Ranch Gallery

Address: Nizhoni Ranch Gallery, Sonoita, AZ 85637

Price: from 30 USD

Opening Hours: Open by appointment only.

Duration: around 1 hour required.

Access: Accessible by driving.

Contact: +1 520 4555020

Near by Food: The Steakout Restaurant and Saloon

Website: Nizhoni Ranch Gallery

4. Create a home away from home at Xanadu Ranch Getaway

Part of the charm of staying in a town like Sonoita is getting to lodge in a charming getaway, rather than a chain hotel or motel, and Xanadu Ranch Getaway is certainly a charming lodge! Named Xanadu to represent “a place of great peace and contentment,” peace is what you’ll find here.

Xanadu Ranch Getaway offers a variety of charming rooms, some of which include full kitchens and even private decks, so you can really settle in and make the place your own. Xanadu ranch even offers a “bring your own horse” program—so if you’re an equestrian, your horse can board on the property, too!

Go birding on the property, relax in your room, or grab some of Xanadu’s wine glasses and take them with you on a tasting tour to receive discounts. Best of all, Xanadu offers affordable prices for a lovely stay.

Xanadu Ranch Getaway

Address: Xanadu Ranch Getaway, 92 South Los Encinos Rd PO Box 1291 Sonoita, AZ 85637

Price: from 129 USD

Opening Hours: Always open. Call between the hours of 9am - 5pm.

Duration: one night minimum stay.

Access: Accessible by driving. Located within Sonoita.

Contact: +1 520 4550050

Near by Food: Chuck Wagon Grill, Vineyard Cafe

Website: Xanadu Ranch Getaway

5. Take a ride at Arizona Horseback Experience

Maybe you didn’t bring your own horse to the Xanadu Ranch Getaway—that’s okay. At Arizona Horseback Experience, you can just “borrow” one and take a beautiful trail ride! If you’ve never been riding before or are a little bit nervous about interacting with a 2,000 pound (907 kg) animal, don’t worry. Arizona Horseback Experience employs skilled workers who are trained to match you with a horse who meets your skill level. Beginner, intermediate and advanced riders are all welcome here.

Arizona Horseback Experience offers a variety of experiences—go for a one hour ride, a three hour ride, a full day ride, or even take an overnight pack trip if you’re brave enough! Or, combine two passions with a wine tasting ride, where you’ll ride three hours across gorgeous grasslands to reach the tasting room at Sonoita Vineyards.

If you choose the most adventurous route, you’ll find yourself on a multiple-day camping trip. You’ll make camp in a set location and take different trails from the campsite each day, spending your days cooking over a fire and getting acquainted with your fellow campers and horses.

Though the prices for horseback rides are far from cheap, Arizona Horseback Experience comes highly recommended, so you can be confident in your investment. The company has been described as welcoming, informative and unique.

Arizona Horseback Experience

Address: Arizona Horseback Experience, 16 Coyote Ct, Sonoita, AZ 85637

Price: from 95 USD

Opening Hours: 9am - 4pm. Closed on public holidays.

Duration: around 3 hours required.

Access: 10 minute drive from Sonoita on highway AZ-83.

Contact: +1 520 4555696

Near by Food: El Charro Cafe

Website: Arizona Horseback Experience

Sip wine in the Sonoita sun

The character of Sonoita is all about relaxation. If you’re looking for a quiet, desert haven, you’ve found it here. Best known for its wineries, there are many ways to explore Sonoita, whether that’s by foot or by horseback. You’ll leave the city with a sense of peace, calm, and belonging.