Aridus Wine Company [December 2021??]

Remember how I said this week was going to be a little “off” ?? well… maybe I am the one who is a little off!! Hahaha!! I mean, I have visited a lot of places and tasted a lot of wine, but I do not remember [which is the problem-LOL] ever totally forgetting a tasting. The date, the location, the building, the wine. It is almost even a little bit embarrassing that looking back at my photos still doesn’t jog even the slightest of memories!! Is wine amnesia a thing!?

I have even looked at street view photos on the website and nada!! This just means that I am going to do a repeat visit to see if that helps!! I believe my total lack of memory is going to make this a more difficult winery to write about. I do not have any fun stories or even opinions to share with you so the story will be totally based on my research. This also means that this post may not have as many words as my usual blog, not that I couldn't come up with a bunch of other things to talk about.. HA!!

All I can say is that I have a wine tasting "passport" photo which leads me to believe that Aridus Wine Company is on the Scottsdale Wine Trail; and if this is the case why have I only ever been here the one time!? Could it possibly be based on the above photo, maybe I thought they didn't give a big enough "pour" for the tasting. Or maybe my pallet wasn't developed enough yet to fully enjoy their wines.. things that make you go hmmmm…

So, back in 2009 Scott and Joan Dahmer shared a mutual passion for wine, and they began to think about how romantic it would be to start their own winery. After searching for the perfect place, they settled in Pearce, Arizona along Turkey Creek. Located in the Chiricahua foothills, Pearce sits at about 5,200 feet in elevation and here is where the Dahmer’s “built their vineyard from the ground up [pun intended]” How cute!? In Latin, Aridus [pronounced air-i-dus] means “dry or arid” just like the land here.

Scott and Joan started planting white and red varieties, white on the north side of the creek and the reds on the south. Then in 2017 they yielded their first harvest grown solely from their own estate!! Aridus vineyard is sustained using organic alternatives when possible and a drip irrigation. I love that they refer to their wine making team as the “A” team, giving credit to each team member and what they bring to into the fold; “creating a harmonious blend of creativity, precision, and dedication.”  

I’m sharing this direct quote not only because I just love it, but because I feel like it is the true essence that is in the heart of every wine lover… “As taste buds refine, interest grows, and passion ignites, we become students of grapes, studying regions, types, and the connection between soil, weather, and fruit. Our love blossoms and transformed us into dedicated creators, pouring our hearts and souls into each vine, grape, and barrel.” Today Aridus is still going strong with tastings rooms in Scottsdale [which I still do no remember visiting.. Hahah] and Willcox.

Whew... thank you for bearing with me this week, during this painful break in my memories... Next week, which just so happens to also be next year, [thank God 2021 is coming to an end!! IYKYK] Wine with Wixy will [still] be on the Scottsdale Wine Trail, but this next winery I actually remember well!! Haha!! See you in 2022!!  

Cheers to you my wine loving friends, and TTFN!!