Terroir Wine Pub [February 2023]

Guess what!? I found a new place to taste wine!! I totally loved the name of the wine pub, and the first time we went, I thought we were going to a dog lover/friendly wine bar. The place, after all, is named Terrier [which is a dog of any one of many breeds, all of which are typically small, wiry, and fearless] how cute, right!? I was even hoping that maybe the Terrier would be in residence as the winery mascot!! [Haha!!] Well, it turns out that I missed and/or jumbled up some of the letters in my head, as a diagnosed dyslexic will occasionally do.

After asking about how the place got its name, maybe after a certain Terrier, I was slightly embarrassed to learn that the word was actually Terroir, [which I still cannot pronounce properly] not Terrier, like the dog breed I was thinking of!! HA!! Terroir is a French wine term describing how a region's specific environment—including climate, soil, and terrain—shapes the unique taste of a wine. It gives a wine a distinct "sense of place." They say you learn something new every day, right!? So, let’s talk a little bit more about three of the key components of the term Terroir.

Climate: temperature and rainfall control the sugar level of the grape and how ripe it gets. Soil: types of soil include limestone, clay, sand, or volcanic rock. Where it grows affects how the vines absorb water and nutrients. Terrain: elevation, slope angle, and closeness of the vines to bodies of water create specific weather conditions. In 2004, Brian Mahoney started to convert his small wine store into a 2,900-foot wine bar. He wanted to combine the sophistication of wine tasting, offering a sleek dining room, with the charm of an Irish Pub, known for small two top tables and couches for lounging.

This is actually how the winery got its name… combining the word Terroir to include its definition and the word Pub. The purpose of a pub is to present and highlight a relaxed, unpretentious, and friendly neighborhood vibe in an establishment. Voila, Terroir Wine Bar was opened. They do call themselves “Scottsdale’s friendliest wine pub” and I have to admit, the staff was very nice and accommodating. Then in 2019, Terroir did some remodeling and added a much larger menu. It turns out this was a great idea since Terroir is one of the longest-lasting wine bars in the state of Arizona!  

Terroir Wine Pub has lived up to its name and has become known for their large by-the-glass pours and live music. The atmosphere is comfortable, and they have a diverse menu. The walls are lined with wine bottles, and they offer more than three dozen different wines by the glass. [or bottle] They also offer private wine tastings in a room that can seat up to 20 people. The second time we went to Terroir, we met my work daughter Hayley and her beautiful family. [Hayley, Kyle, and Juliette are seen below.] We sat out on the patio and had a fun catch up and yummy lunch!!

Unfortunately, I just learned while writing this blog that Terroir Wine Pub has closed its doors permanently on February 19, 2026. They closed the location quietly without publishing a formal public reason or press release detailing the exact cause. However, even after operating very successfully, I might add, for a little over two decades, independent neighborhood businesses in the Valley frequently face standard pressures like lease expirations or rising operating costs. Of course, I am only speculating about this, but sadly, they are closed nonetheless.

Next week, Wine with Wixy will be putting on a few miles to participate in a wine festival down in Tempe at Singh Meadows. If this sounds kind of Zen... well, it was!! See y'all next week... I’ll bring the wine and the relaxation!!

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