In Southern Arizona, springtime is wine time.
Several festivals celebrating the vine and vino are planned from now through May.
- Wine Country Jambalaya Feast, March 24, Flying Leap Vineyards, 342 Elgin Road in Elgin, 1-520-455-5499.
The winery will feel like New Orleans from 5 to 9 p.m. in the events center. Tickets are $99 at store.flyingleapvineyards.com, which includes food, wine tastings and live entertainment.
- Drag Races 2018, April 21, Arizona Hops and Vines, 3450 Highway 82 in Sonoita, 1-888-569-1642.
These folks like their wine with a shot of fun. This spring, they will host the 2018 installment of Drag Races, where the area’s drag queens strut in their red carpet finery. It’s from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. On May 12, they’ll put on their annual Hops and Vines Bacchanal Festival.
Admission is $20 for each event and the price includes six wine tastings and a complimentary glass.
- Chili Cook-off, April 21 and 22, Kief-Joshua Vineyards, 370 Elgin Road, 520-455-5582.
The winery will host the non-profit Chili Appreciation Society International Professional’s Southwest Regional Chili Cook-off featuring professional chefs creating their signature chilis. Events include a faux episode of Food Network’s “Chopped” challenge. Tickets are $15 in advance through kiefjoshua.eventbrite.com and include five wine tastings.
For more information, contact Kief-Joshua Vineyards at kjvineyards@gmail.com or call 1-520-455-5582.
- Willcox Wine Country Festival, May 19 and 20, at the historic Railroad Park in downtown Willcox, willcoxwines.com
The annual two-day event highlights Arizona wines, most produced and grown in Southern Arizona, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 19 and 20. Admission is free, tasting glasses and tickets are $20 to $25.
The spring event is one of two yearly wine festivals in Willcox.
- Sierra Vista Sips & Skies, May 26, Sierra Vista’s Veterans Memorial Park, 3105 E. Fry Blvd.
This annual festival celebrates Arizona wines, craft brews and distilled spirits, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance through eventbrite.com or $20 day of, and includes a wine glass and six sampling tickets.
