High-desert grasslands, volcanic soils, and bold winemakers—Sonoita AVA in Southern Arizona isn’t your typical wine country. Discover a hidden gem where elevation meets innovation, with off-grid wineries, James Beard–level blends, and untamed terroir that tells a story in every sip.

Tucked deep in West Texas, the Davis Mountains AVA and the nearly forgotten Escondido Valley AVA offer a bold, high-elevation contrast to the typical Texas wine trail. In Vol. 3 of our Off the Beaten Path series, we explore resilient vineyards like Alta Marfa—planted by hand and weathered by hail—and new pioneers like Sharp Family Vineyards reviving legacy soil. From volcanic terrain to hidden valleys, this region is rewriting what Texas wine can be—raw, rugged, and remarkabl