Greetings everyone, I am excited because today’s feature is the Chateau Tumbleweed Tasting Room. This is a great tasting room, with some really great wines.

We only recently became club members, but that is really only because we had never visited them until last year.  Chateau Tumbleweed is a little off the beaten path, and is actually located in Clarkdale. Much like Bodega Pierce, Tumbleweed got it’s start as part of the Four Eight Wineworks cooperative. Tumbleweed does not own their own vineyard, but they do source all of their grapes from Arizona vineyards.

The owners worked for other Arizona wineries until 2012 when they decided to partner and branch out on their own.  After only 3 vintages with the wineworks they purchased a building on highway 89A to open the first commercial winery and tasting room in Clarkdale.  It’s a neat building and the all white brick facade looks great and makes it easy to spot from the highway.

Personally, I love this cozy little tasting room.  It’s not large; the bar has about six seats, and there are few high tables and small couch area  There is a nice sitting area outside in the front, although we haven’t actually sat outside yet.

My only real regret with regards to Chateau Tumbleweed is that we didn’t find them sooner.  We joined the wine club on the first visit, which is a testament to how good the wines are. Everyone that works behind the counter has been great.  Eva is an absolute joy to talk with.

Side note, Chateau Tumbleweed is where we got the best wine key I have ever used, hands down.  If you have been following our Instagram for awhile, you have probably heard this already. Using this excellent tool I can open a bottle of wine in seven seconds, if I can pull off the foil by hand instead of cutting it.

Frequent readers will know we don’t really drink whites, so I can only attest to their red wines.  There has really been nothing on their menu that I haven’t liked. You really can’t go wrong with anything, but some of our favorites are the Dr Ron Bot and the Cousin Idd.  We usually always take one or both home with us each visit. The Earth Cuckoo is pretty good as well. On this visit in addition to the Ron Bot and Idd, we also took home a Cimarron Vineyard Montepulciano and a Cimarron Vineyard Tempranillo.

All of their wine labels feature a tumbleweed incorporated into the art in some fashion.  I think it’s a cool little thing they do. I have asked why did the owners pick a tumbleweed as their logo, and why “chateau”. So far no one I’ve asked really seems to know for sure. The consensus seems to be that the tumbleweed is an obvious reference to Arizona and the desert, and “chateau” was chosen to make a stark contract.  Hopefully I’ll find out the true answer, because I am really curious. It’s a unique name, and it really works for the winery and let’s be honest, it sounds cool.

One last thing, people in the Verde Valley wine community seem to hang out at Chateau Tumbleweed during their time off, which I think is a good indicator. You should definitely make a stop here if you get a chance.

If you have not already, check out yesterday's feature on Bodega Pierce, or check out all of our Sippin' September features here.

Living, loving, drinking, and traveling through life.

— Derek

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