Why choose arizona stronghold

At Arizona Stronghold our winemaking and cellar teams provide the highest level of winemaking expertise, technical advice and guidance for our clients and their winemaking needs.  With two full-time winemakers and a dedicated lab team on staff, we follow our clients’ winemaking and production protocol with detailed care and consideration.   We pride ourselves on the personal relationships we establish with not only our clients’ but with the wines we make.  Our pure, artistic and passionate approach will ensure you will never be met with a wine factory feel.

Accolades

• In June 2010 our 2008 Arizona Stronghold Nachise received a Gold Medal at the 27th Annual Lone Star International Wine Competition in Texas and Tazi, Mangus and Dayden were each awarded Bronze medals.
• Both the 2008 Dayden and 2008 Nachise took first place in the 2009 Arizona Wine Grower’s Cup.
• Our 2008 Arizona Stronghold Tazi was awarded a Silver Medal in the 2009 Arizona Wine Grower’s Cup.
• Arizona Stronghold crafted and bottled the First Place red wine category winner of the Judgment of Arizona competition, 2008 Caduceus ‘Nagual del Judith.’
• The 2007 Arizona Stronghold Nachise is tied for the highest award ever given to an Arizona wine by the Wine Spectator 89pts.

It is our firm belief that great wine doesn’t have to be expensive; it doesn’t have to be pretentious and it shouldn’t be hard to find.  It just has to be great and it has to be made by people that care. 

WINEMAKING SERVICES

We emphasize a boutique custom crush concept, allowing your experience to be personal and tailored to fit your exact specifications.  With superior customer service and a wide array of equipment including state-of-the-art crush facilities, we are optimally sized for small to medium sized lots (1-10 ton) but handle larger ones as well.
Arizona Stronghold specializes in full “vineyard to bottle” custom crush services, allowing our clients the opportunity to purchase fruit at select vineyards, with varietals of their choosing.  We also offer tailored consulting services in both the winery and vineyard.  

Our winemaking services include

• Crushing and Destemming

• Fermentation (open top or temperature controlled stainless)
  • Red crush and fermentation
  • White press and fermentation
• Whole cluster press
• Barrel ageing and Storage
• Fining and Filtration
• VA Reduction
• Blending
• Bottling
• Lab Services for in-house clients
• Permitting Consulting
• Bulk Wine and Shiner Sales

Quality Assurance and Control

At Arizona Stronghold we provide in-house laboratory analysis using many of the same TTB approved methods as major wine analysis companies, such as Vinquiry. All wines made or bottled are closely monitored with regular testing and tasting.

Our lab services include thorough analysis from grape to bottle including, but not limited to: rigorous fermentation management including regular twice daily brix and temperature checks, careful SO2 management during barrel aging, and compliance testing such as volatile acidity and alcohol content. Prior to bottling, chemical and microbiological stability will be assessed and appropriate action will be taken to ensure ideal conditions exist for successful aging. The bottling process is closely monitored for aesthetics and integrity of the packaging.

Using this comprehensive approach, our experienced full-time lab staff will ensure that each bottle is of the highest possible quality and complies with government regulations.

Reporting Services

• Vineyard Inspections
• Post harvest reports
• Quarterly reports with volumes and Lab Analyses

Current list of clients

Art of Wine
Sycamore Canyon Winery
Burning Tree Cellars
Gallifant Cellars
Golden Rule Vineyards
Pillsbury Wine Company                     
Carlson Creek
AJ’s Markets
Fire Mountain Wines
Stetson Winery