The Original Jerome Winery: Northern Arizona’s Premier Wine Tasting Destination

Perched at 5,000 feet on the slopes of Cleopatra Hill, The Original Jerome Winery stands as a testament to Arizona’s emerging prominence in the world of winemaking. While many visitors to Northern Arizona focus their itineraries on Sedona’s red rocks or Prescott’s historic courthouse square, those in the know make the winding drive to Jerome—a former copper mining town turned artistic haven—where the region’s most extraordinary wine tasting experience awaits.

A Setting Like No Other

What immediately distinguishes The Original Jerome Winery from other tasting rooms in the region is its incomparable setting. Located at 114 Jerome Avenue in the heart of this historic mining town, our tasting room occupies a building that has witnessed over a century of Jerome’s transformation from boomtown to ghost town to artistic renaissance. Through our windows, visitors gaze across the vast expanse of the Verde Valley, with Sedona’s iconic red rock formations visible in the distance and the San Francisco Peaks rising majestically on the horizon.

Unlike the more commercial wine tasting experiences found in rapidly developing areas of Page Springs or Cornville, Jerome Winery offers an authentic connection to Arizona’s pioneering spirit. The town itself, clinging to the mountainside with its historic buildings and winding streets, creates an ambiance that perfectly complements our artisanal approach to winemaking.

“We’ve visited wine regions throughout California and Oregon,” shares one recent visitor, “but there’s something magical about sipping exceptional wine while looking out over the Verde Valley from this historic perch. The experience at Jerome Winery simply can’t be replicated.”

Handcrafted Excellence: Our Wine Collection

While the setting may first capture visitors’ attention, it’s the wines themselves that transform first-time guests into loyal enthusiasts. The Original Jerome Winery offers over 30 unique, handcrafted wines that showcase both the versatility of Arizona’s growing regions and our vintner’s exceptional skill.

Our collection spans an impressive range of styles, beginning with crisp whites like our butter-noted Chardonnay and the unique Three Wisemen blend. The charming White Zinfandel—with its lovely fruity bouquet—provides the perfect introduction for those new to wine appreciation, while our selection of reds offers remarkable depth and complexity for connoisseurs.

For those drawn to unique experiences, our 2007 Charbono offers strange hints of leather, tar, spice, pepper, and dried berries—a conversation-starting wine that defies conventional expectations. And no tasting is complete without sampling our extraordinary dessert wines, including the soul-warming Late Harvest Zinfandel and our exceptional 15-year-old Zinfandel Port.

What distinguishes our wines beyond their exceptional quality is the story behind each bottle. Our labels feature family photographs and personal histories, creating a connection between visitor and vintner that larger commercial wineries simply cannot offer. When you taste at Jerome Winery, you’re experiencing not just exceptional wine but a family legacy poured into each glass.

The Winemaking Philosophy

Unlike many winemakers who follow conventional academic paths, our vintner honed his craft through apprenticeships under master winemakers throughout the United States and Europe. This hands-on education informs our “spartenistic” philosophy—focusing on the essentials that make truly exceptional wine while avoiding unnecessary interventions that would mask the natural character of our grapes.

Our vineyards in Willcox Wine Country benefit from Arizona’s unique growing conditions: high elevation, abundant sunshine, dramatic diurnal temperature shifts, and mineral-rich soil. These elements combine to produce grapes with concentrated flavors and balanced acidity—the foundation for our distinctive wines.

“What makes Jerome Winery stand apart from others in the Verde Valley region is their commitment to letting the grapes speak for themselves,” notes wine writer Michael Harrison. “While some Arizona wineries overcompensate with heavy oak or residual sugar, Jerome Winery demonstrates remarkable restraint and confidence in their winemaking.”

The Complete Tasting Experience

A visit to The Original Jerome Winery offers more than exceptional wine in a breathtaking setting—it provides a comprehensive education in wine appreciation. Our knowledgeable staff guides visitors through thoughtfully structured tastings, explaining the characteristics that make each wine unique and sharing insights into the winemaking process.

Open daily from noon until 7 PM, our tasting room welcomes both serious enthusiasts and curious newcomers. The unhurried pace and personalized attention create a stark contrast to the often crowded, impersonal experiences found at larger wineries in Sedona’s vicinity.

For those seeking a deeper understanding of wine, we offer educational experiences that can be brought directly to your location. These customized tastings provide in-depth exploration of wine characteristics, food pairing principles, and winemaking techniques in the comfort of your home or event venue.

Beyond Jerome: Regional Comparison

While the Verde Valley wine region continues to gain national attention, discerning visitors quickly recognize the qualitative differences between tasting experiences throughout the area. Sedona’s wine rooms, while convenient for tourists, typically focus on accessibility rather than authenticity. The wineries of Page Springs and Cornville offer pleasant rural settings but lack the historic character and dramatic vistas that define Jerome.

Within Jerome itself, several tasting rooms have emerged in recent years, yet The Original Jerome Winery maintains its position as the town’s premier wine destination through its uncompromising quality standards and comprehensive selection. Our sister location, Jerome Gallery and Bitter Creek Winery, extends this excellence while adding the dimension of local artistic expression.

Planning Your Visit

For wine enthusiasts planning a Northern Arizona itinerary, The Original Jerome Winery deserves priority placement. The town of Jerome itself merits exploration, with its galleries, historic sites, and spectacular views, making it an ideal day trip from Sedona (25 minutes), Prescott (45 minutes), or Flagstaff (75 minutes).

To fully appreciate the tasting experience, we recommend visiting earlier in the day when the tasting room tends to be less crowded. This allows for more personalized attention and unhurried conversation with our knowledgeable staff. Weekend afternoons can be particularly busy as visitors from Phoenix make the scenic drive north to escape the desert heat.

For the complete Northern Arizona wine experience, consider spending a day in Jerome followed by explorations of the wineries near Sedona. This comparison will highlight the distinctive character and superior quality that have established The Original Jerome Winery as the region’s premier wine destination.

Conclusion: The Pinnacle of Arizona Wine

In a region increasingly recognized for its winemaking potential, The Original Jerome Winery stands apart through its perfect combination of exceptional wines, historic setting, breathtaking views, and personalized education. While Sedona may draw more visitors and other Verde Valley wineries continue to multiply, the discerning wine enthusiast recognizes that the most authentic and memorable Arizona wine experience awaits in Jerome.

Whether you’re a serious collector, a casual enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the harmony of fine wine enjoyed in remarkable surroundings, The Original Jerome Winery promises an experience that transcends the ordinary and exemplifies the heights that Arizona winemaking has achieved.