Late March is an amazing time to visit this area of Arizona. We are anticipating great weather, the trees will be leafing and spring in the air, the birds will still be migrating through, there will be opportunities to hike and mountain bike, and there are 2 lakes close by for water sports, fishing, and relaxation. We plan to go kayaking. The Paton House is famous for its hummingbirds and the Nature Conservancy is situated along the year-round Sonoita Creek.

Please keep Tuesday March 19 at 6pm free. This will be our Pre-Trip Mixer to go over details, itinerary, roommates, carpooling, activities, and meeting new friends.

This trip will focus on wine tasting and exploration! You have the option to arrive on Thursday or Friday. On Thursday and Friday, the arrival schedule is open. You can carpool and caravan over (I will organize this) in the early to late afternoon for hotel check in at 230 or later and then join us for our 7pm dinner. If you have to work all day, the drive is only a little over an hour so you should be able to arrive in time for our group dinner. If you arrive early enough, the patio is a great place for a mid-afternoon happy hour, which is where you will find us. I will organize a little something for us.

We will go to 2 wineries on Saturday (DD’s receive a $20 bottle of wine). We’ll talk about them at the mixer.
Since there are about 10 other tasting rooms and vineyards in the area, you can choose to visit other wineries in your free time. I will have a map and list of wineries for you at the pre-trip mixer. We will spend 2-3 nights in our hotel in Patagonia:

http://www.stagestophotelpatagonia.com/

We’ll have 3 group dinners, rendezvous for breakfast each morning at the hotel restaurant and head out together for the day, spend time exploring and enjoying the area in small groups, and taste some of the best wine this region has to offer. You can even choose to enjoy some peace and quiet (out in nature) on your own.

There will be evening opportunities in a local saloon just down the street for live music and karaoke to go along with beverage consumption and our hotel now has it’s own saloon open and ready for us too. There are also several common areas at the hotel for group gatherings. Our hotel’s onsite restaurant and saloon will not only be convenient but will also offer quality food and drink to keep us smiling. The townfolk are very friendly and it’s common to walk down the sidewalks and through the park meeting some of these wonderful people.

On Sunday, you will have more time to visit other wineries, explore the cooler outdoors, or head back to Tucson.

Included:

2-3 nights hotel and tax in Patagonia (double occupancy): each room offers a refrigerator and coffee/maker
Wine tastings in Elgin and Sonoita and a souvenir wine glass is included at each winery. Expect 5-6 tastings at each location.

hiking at the Nature Conservancy (entrance fee additional) or other trails
3 Group dinners at different restaurants (separate checks)
Time to visit Lake Patagonia or Parker Canyon Lake
Peace and quiet opportunities

Not Included:

Cost of drinks (except those included at wine tasting) and meals

Roundtrip transportation to/from Tucson

Rental of mountain bikes, boats, or other sports equipment

Entrance fees

COST: 3 Nights

$299/person (double occupancy)

SINGLE OCCUPANCY (private room): $225 additional

KING BED: $60 additional/room ($30/person)

COST: 2 Nights

$225/person (double occupancy)

SINGLE OCCUPANCY (private room): $150 additional

KING BED: $40 additional/room ($20/person)

DEPOSIT:

50% of total and rooming preference due within 1 week of rsvp.

FINAL PAYMENT: Due February 15

ROOMMATES:

If you want a roommate and don’t have one, I can help to pair you up with someone (but I can’t guarantee success). A signed waiver is due from each participant. All monies are non-refundable.