Elgin, AZ: Arizona’s First Winemaker
Classic film enthusiasts will greatly remember, Elgin, Arizona in the 1955 film Oklahoma! Starring Gene Nelson. Elgin was also used to film scenes for the films 3:10 to Yuma (1957) and the Red River (1948). Today, Elgin is well-known for its wine production, whereas of 2009 the rural city is known to produce as much as 50,000 gallons a year, Though there are no airports within the vicinity, you can still visit by flying in from Bisbee Municipal Airport (BSQ) or Bisbee-Douglas International Airport (DUG) airports and taking a 58-minute drive from Bisbee.
Best Time to Visit
There are several festivals in Elgin, AZ that would certainly entice both local and international travelers with wine festivals, majority of these during autumn, throughout the year. The Sonoita Vineyards, the oldest commercial vineyards in Arizona, is known to hold a Harvest Fest every summer starting March. The most notable festivals, however, are the city’s Fall Festival and St. Martin’s Day, otherwise known as Old Hallowmas Eve, held every November 11.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Aside from the festivals all throughout the year, the best thing to do in Elgin is to visit their best attraction: the vineyards. There are several outstanding wineries scattered throughout the rural city. A popular place is the Arizona Hops and Vines. Though it may be a small winery, but it is one of the best places to visit as it also offers kid-friendly options such as homemade sodas aside from its wide selection of wine. Another winery to visit is Dos Cabezas WineWorks with its red wine selection from tempranillo to sangiovese.