Arizona Stronghold Vineyards has quietly poured its last glasses in Old Town Scottsdale, closing the tasting room on June 7 after just a few years on Marshall Way. The spot, opened in 2022, had become a casual hangout with patio seating, tapas-style bites and tasting flights for both tourists and neighborhood regulars.
According to Phoenix New Times, the shutdown was not the result of a rent spike or a lease dispute. Instead, the winery opted to refocus on its Valley wine club, which has about 500 members, and to rethink how club pickups and events are handled. The outlet also notes that Arizona Stronghold produces roughly 15,000 to 20,000 cases of wine each year.
Where to taste now
The Old Town Scottsdale exit does not mean the end of in-person sipping. The winery’s Old Town Cottonwood tasting room is still open, according to the company’s website, and remains a central spot to sample its lineup. Arizona Stronghold also lists vineyards and production facilities in the Verde Valley and near Willcox, which continue to serve as the brand’s main production hub.
What this means for the Old Town wine trail
In Scottsdale, Arizona Stronghold had been one of the Verde Valley flag-bearers on the Old Town Scottsdale Wine Trail, giving metro-area drinkers an easy way to try Verde Valley bottles without leaving town. With that storefront gone, other tasting rooms on the route will now shoulder more of the local tasting traffic. The Scottsdale Wine Trail lists participating tasting rooms along with events and experiences in the area.
Looking ahead, the winery plans to pivot its Valley presence to rotating pickup parties and partner events scattered across the region. That strategy is meant to, in the words of the General Manager, “benefit all of our club membership,” as reported by Phoenix New Times. Members and fans are encouraged to keep an eye on the winery’s website and club communications for details on when and where those pop-up gatherings will land.
