I know what you're thinking. "Vineyards in the desert?"

I'd be right there with you, if I didn't know better. That's the wonderful thing about Southern Arizona. It always surprises.

Turns out the Sonoita/Elgin winery region isn't really desert at all, but rolling grasslands, dotted with yucca, cottonwood trees, white oak and the occasional lazy bovine. From Tucson, it's a beautiful one-hour drive down scenic Highway 83, winding through ocotillo and mesquite trees, with hawks soaring above. It's a bit like driving back in time, and that is a good thing. As you near Sonoita, life seems suddenly simpler, unhurried, and you forget to look at your watch. Turning left and heading toward Elgin, the rolling green hills spread out before you, and if you're lucky, you'll catch a pronghorn antelope eyeing you suspiciously, as you stare back in wonder.

Now back to those vineyards. Though still relatively young, this grape growing locale has garnered enough respect to have its own official appellation: Sonoita. An appellation is a legally defined and protected geographical indication used to identify where the grapes for a wine were grown, and Sonoita is the only federally recognized appellation in Arizona.

It all started in 1973, when pioneering soil scientist, Dr. Gordon Dutt, planted an experimental vineyard on the Ignacio de Babocomari Ranch in Southern Arizona. His enological experiment took root (quite literally), and he planted Arizona's first commercial vineyard in 1979. Dutt opened the picturesque Sonoita Vineyards winery in 1983, and a winemaking region was born.

The newest winery on the scene is Lightning Ridge Cellars, a small family winery that specializes in wines celebrating their Italian heritage. They may be the new kids on the block, but they're already gaining recognition. Winemaker and Vineyard Manager Ann Roncone picked up a silver medal for her 2007 Zinfandel at the 2010 National Women's Wine Competition in Santa Rosa, California.

One of the older, and more recognized names laying claim to the Sonoita appellation is Callaghan Vineyards. Their vintages have been served at several White House dinners, and Robert Parker, noted writer for The Wine Advocate, calls Callaghan "one of the best kept wine secrets in America."

If you can't find time to visit the Sonoita/Elgin wineries, many of the wines produced there can be found in Tucson shops and Tucson Originals restaurants, but nothing beats sampling wine right where the grapes are grown.

Last week I attended the 2010 Tucson Area Music Awards, or "The TAMMIES", as they're more commonly known. The free event was held in the historic Rialto Theatre, one of the most happening places downtown. I arrived just after the show had started, and Key Ingredients of African Soul already had people dancing in the aisles. There were several other great performances between awards presentations, such as Andrew Collberg, Tucson Music Hall of Fame inductee Howe Gelb, and Band/Musician of the Year, Sergio Mendoza y la Orkesta. This is definitely a band to keep an eye on. They are increasingly taking their talents beyond Arizona's borders, so catch them here when you can.

It was a great night to be out celebrating Tucson's amazing music scene in a great venue. The Rialto Theatre, built in 1920, averages 130 concerts per year and for five years running has been voted Best Indoor Venue in the Tucson Weekly's annual Best of Tucson issue. A show at the Rialto is a great reason to come downtown. Dinner and drinks at one of the terrific restaurants in the area is also recommended! To see what's coming up next at The Rialto, go to www.rialtotheatre.com. For a full list of Tucson Area Music Awards winners, visit TAMMIES.com.

Do you know the difference between peated and unpeated scotch? Lowland and highland malts? What does "double wood" mean? Maybe you thought all scotch was the same fire water that granddad drank, and they couldn't have the subtle differences that wine connoisseurs like to carry on about. Well, having recently attended the whisky tasting at Tucson Originals restaurant, Pastiche Modern Eatery, I can assure you they do, and I now speak more knowledgably as I savor the flavors from the land of my ancestors.

Pastiche owner (and whisky/whiskey lover) Pat Connors started a club that meets on the last Wednesday of every month to explore and celebrate the variety of spirits that make up the whisky/whiskey family. A certified whisky expert was on hand to guide about 40 of us through the wonderful world of single malt scotch and its regional flavor tendencies. We learned (and tasted!) that Highland malts are typically smooth, smokey and fruity, while those from the lowland tend to be a little lighter and sweeter. Scotch from Islay, a small island off the west coast, is known for heavily peated (read: not for beginners) malts that tend to have a more "medicinal" flavor to them. Believe it or not, iodine is one of the flavors often associated with the single malts from Islay.

Having worked up a hunger sampling those delicious drams, we went downstairs for dinner, which was another treat. I had the bourbon salmon and then bread pudding for dessert - a perfect ending to a whisky-soaked evening.

I have yet to attend a wine tasting, which happen every Friday, but it's certainly now on my list of things to do this summer. I suggest you put it on yours as well.

For information on future whisky/whiskey and wine tastings at Pastiche, call 520-325-3333.

Last Friday, some colleagues and I went to Tohono Chul Park for a breakfast and tour of the park. I had the eggs benedict, which was delicious, but everybody's orders looked equally enticing. Watching hummingbirds and butterflies flit around the butterfly garden while enjoying breakfast was a perfect way to start the day. After breakfast the group then headed off into the park, which was beautiful. The variety of flowers, trees, cacti, etc. was simply astounding. Tohono Chul is truly a desert oasis in the middle of the city (49 acres of oasis that most people don't even realize is there!)

 
This visit made a regular out of me. I'll be returning every time the seasons change so I can see what is happening out there. We took a break from walking through the park and sat down to learn about reptiles from "Snake Boy." (On Fridays there is a reptile presentation.) His presentation was enjoyable for an audience of all ages. "Snake Boy" and his crew pulled out a slew of snakes, a Gila monster, and a turtle for us to observe as they taught us about how they survive in the Sonoran desert. With our knowledge of our reptilian neighbors expanded, we then took a quick trip through the plant propagation area and saw everything they had to offer and a variety of different garden styles. I highly recommend that anyone thinking about a landscaping project spend some time at the park gathering inspiration. 

Whether looking for a fantastic breakfast, ideas for your desert garden, or just a quiet oasis to stroll and hang out in lush flora of the Sonoran Desert, Tohono Chul is a great choice.

 

The American Bicycle Association BMX Southwest Nationals competition took place at the Tucson Convention Center this past weekend. Tucson hosted an amazing number of talented racers and I was lucky enough to get the chance to ride with them during Friday's practice rounds. The dirt track was impressive - tight turns, big jumps, step-ups, and the bone jarring "rhythm section" (a series of back to back jumps). They decked me out in a Tucson BMX jersey and a very snug helmet. It was a thrill to ride out just behind a group of racers during their practice session and the adrenaline was pumping as I hit the first jump. I definitely felt my youth coming back to me. As I approached the final turn I could hear my co-workers cheering me on and for a second I thought about waving but ultimately decided that keeping the bike upright would be preferable. Managing to avoid any untimely "dismounts," I really enjoyed my time on the track. Unfortunately the ride was over before I knew it and I was left thinking about what could have been had I gotten into BMX racing a long time ago. This event is definitely worth checking out when it returns next summer, and rumor has it that there are a couple of local tracks to practice on in the meantime!