The Wine Collective [October 2022]

As you know, we are always away [somewhere cooler] for the summer, so my work daughter, Hayley Hodges Little Lepore [Hahaha!! IYKYK], and I usually miss getting together around my birthday to celebrate. So, we usually plan a get-together in some type of fashion for when we get back into town so we can play some catch-up. Hayley is a fabulous gift giver; she always has something unique that I don’t know how I ever lived without it… I invariably love it and her!! This year, we found a place to meet up that neither of us had been to before: The Wine Collective in Scottsdale.

When I got there I took a seat up at the bar [pictured below] to kind of scope things out. P.S. That is not my hat on the bar, my fellow bar sitter didn't want to be in my photo!! Haha!! I was immediately welcomed by the wine specialist [what they call themselves] working on this day and was presented with the menu. I was also given a "tour" of the menu. I pictured it as the second photo down because I thought it was pretty interesting with a lot going on. [at first glance anyways] They consider their tasting room to be wine-centric. [behaviors or ideas that noticeably deviate from the normal… unconventional originality]

The Wine Collective was founded by Zoya Vora-Shah earlier in the year of 2022. Zoya has worked as a wine representative for years and has owned several other wine tasting establishments, including My Wine Cellar in Ahwatukee and Gilbert, AZ. Running a wine tasting room is not new to Zoya; she has over 10 years of experience at being what she calls a CSW, or Certified Wino!! [I can relate... haha!!] She was more than ready to create a new kind of experience, one that included Arizona-grown and produced wines, while supporting local small businesses and wineries.

She wants to entice curious first-time wine tasters and appeal to those with a more refined palate. For both to feel the welcoming and fun atmosphere while taking home some new knowledge when they leave. They have a pet-friendly outdoor patio and offer over 40 local wines to taste. As I stated above, they offer local Arizona wines, they support wineries such as 1764 Vineyards, Omphalos Winery, Soaring Wines, and Vino Stache Winery. They also serve a few natural wines, orange wines, and even beer for those who tag along that are not wine lovers. [this I cannot comprehend.. LOL]

To be honest, another reason I added the menu is because, for some reason, I only took two photos when we were here. I mean, what could I have possibly been thinking!? LOL The name Wine Collective is pretty easy to break down: obviously wine… then collective, which means “something done, shared, or owned by every member of a group of people. It represents individuals acting together as one whole rather than separately.” Since this tasting room operates as the only tasting room in Old Town Scottsdale hosting multiple independent Arizona wineries, the name just makes sense.

Zoya has created and offers an immersive Sensory Wine Tasting that includes sight, smell, and taste. There are 150 components on the table along with 5-6 wines. Taking you to the next level of wine tasting, the class teaches the history of wine and how to pair wines with different foods, such as cheese, cured meats, and chocolate.  Zoya is also very passionate about teaching wine lovers how to do a blind wine tasting. She feels that this is the best way to really connect with your palate and determine wine likes and dislikes. I love the sound of this and I hope to set up one of these experiences sometime when we get back!!

Awww... there she is, my work daughter Hayley and I making a wine toast!! Next week, Wine with Wixy will be experiencing some divine intervention on several levels. To find out more about these levels you're gonna have to tune in!! HAHAHA!!

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