Uncorked Chronicles Edition 12: Three Fall Adventures at Alcantara Vineyards

Horseback rides, e-bike adventures, and private winery tours make fall a great time to explore Arizona wine country.
Fall is a great excuse to spend a little more time outside in the Verde Valley, and Alcantara Vineyards offers plenty of ways to enjoy the season beyond a traditional wine tasting.
Set in Camp Verde where the Verde River and Oak Creek meet, Alcantara combines vineyard views, Arizona wine, food, and outdoor experiences in one place. With more than 20,000 vines and 17 varietals across the property, there is plenty to explore before settling in with a glass of wine.
For anyone planning a fall visit, here are three activities worth adding to the day: horseback riding through the vineyard, an e-bike tour through wine country, and a private vineyard and winery tour with Alcantara’s winemaker.

A horseback ride is one of the most memorable ways to see Alcantara in the fall.
Horseback rides at Alcantara Vineyards travel through the 87-acre property, giving riders a closer look at the vineyard and the surrounding Verde Valley scenery. Depending on the route and conditions, the experience can include a Verde River crossing, time among the vines, and a ride up Marsanne Hill with views toward Mingus Mountain.
The rides are operated on-site by Horseback Wine Country/Wild Western Horseback Adventures, and no previous horseback riding experience is required.
The standard Alcantara Tour is about one hour, making it easy to pair a morning or afternoon ride with lunch and wine afterward.
Rides are available at:
 – 9:00 a.m.
 – 11:30 a.m.
 – 1:30 p.m.
 – 3:30 p.m.
The one-hour ride is currently $125 per person. Riders must be at least 10 years old, and a 260-pound weight limit applies.
Closed-toe shoes are required, and long pants or leggings are a good idea. Guests should plan to arrive about 30 minutes before the ride so there is plenty of time to check in and get settled.

Horseback rides can be reserved through Horseback Wine Country.
For same-day availability, call (928) 499-7652.
A morning ride works especially well for a fall visit. Once the ride is finished, it is an easy transition into lunch, a wine tasting, or a relaxed afternoon around the vineyard.

For anyone who would rather trade four hooves for two wheels, an e-bike is another fun way to explore the vineyard.
The Pedal to Vine E-Bike Tour, operated by Verde Adventures, takes guests through the Alcantara property on electric bikes. The extra pedal assistance makes the ride approachable while still giving guests plenty of time outdoors.
The tour lasts about 1.5 hours and includes stops along the way to learn more about Alcantara’s vines, irrigation, trellising, grape varietals, and the surrounding Verde Valley landscape.
Because the tour is offered year-round, fall is an especially comfortable time to fit it into a Verde Valley getaway.
Current pricing is:
– $119 Sunday through Thursday
– $124 Friday and Saturday
The experience also includes a $20 credit to use toward wine, food, or gifts at Alcantara after the ride.
Participants must be at least 13 years old. Guests must be 21 or older to take part in wine tasting.
The best part may be what happens when the bikes are parked: the tour ends back at Alcantara, so there is no need to drive somewhere else for the next part of the day. Guests can head straight toward the tasting room, order something to eat, and enjoy the vineyard at a slower pace.

Book the E-Bike Tour
Reservations are available through Verde Adventures.
Questions can also be directed to Verde Adventures at (610) 421-9878 or reservations@verdeadventure.com.
For couples, friends, and small groups, this is an easy way to add some activity to a wine-country day without turning the whole visit into a strenuous outing.

For guests who want to spend more time learning about what is actually happening in the vineyard and cellar, the private winery tour offers a completely different kind of fall experience.
Alcantara’s Private Vineyard & Winery Tour and Private Wine Tasting with Winemaker Ron Brumley is available by appointment and goes much deeper than a quick walk through the property.
The experience can include an in-depth vineyard discussion, walking tour, cellar presentation, private wine tasting, and barrel tasting.
It is a chance to ask questions, learn more about growing grapes in the Verde Valley, and see how the work in the vineyard connects with what eventually ends up in the glass.
That makes it a strong choice for wine enthusiasts, but guests do not need to know much about wine beforehand. The tour also works well for anniversaries, bachelorette groups, families, corporate outings, and anyone who wants something a little more personal than a standard tasting.
Fall makes the vineyard especially interesting because it is closely tied to harvest season and the transition from growing grapes to making wine.

Reserve a Private Tour
Private tours are available by appointment only.
To schedule one, contact Winemaker Ron Brumley directly:
Email: ron@alcantaravineyard.com
Call or text:(970) 729-3474
More information is also available on Alcantara’s Tours & Tastings page.
Looking for something shorter? Complimentary vineyard and winery tours are also offered on Fridays and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. These tours provide an introduction to Alcantara’s grape varietals, trellising, irrigation, and approach to growing wine grapes.

One of the easiest things about visiting Alcantara is that the day does not have to stop when the activity ends.
Start with a horseback ride and stay for lunch. Take an e-bike through the vineyard and use the included credit toward a glass of wine afterward. Book a private winery tour and follow it with time relaxing outside among the vines.
That is the idea behind Alcantara’s Dine, Sip, Play & Stay approach: make the vineyard part of the day rather than just another stop on the itinerary.
The property is also located within the Verde Valley AVA and along the broader Verde Valley Wine Trail, making Alcantara an easy addition to a Sedona, Cottonwood, or Verde Valley getaway.

Whether the day starts on horseback, on an e-bike, or inside the winery, each of these experiences offers a different way to enjoy fall at Alcantara Vineyards.
The tasting room is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and standard wine tasting does not require a reservation. Horseback rides, e-bike tours, and private winemaker tours should be booked separately in advance.
For anyone searching for things to do near Sedona this fall, Alcantara makes it easy to combine Arizona wine country with a little more adventure.
Explore Alcantara Vineyards’ tours and tastings, choose an activity, and build a fall day around the vines.