https://www.arizonahighways.com/blog/willcox-receives-federal-designation-unique-wine-region 

Willcox Receives Federal Designation as Unique Wine Region

October 10, 2016 at 5:31 am

Brent Hall | Willcox

The Southeastern Arizona town of Willcox has become only the second place in the state to receive a federal designation for growing wine grapes.
The designation, which makes Willcox an American Viticultural Area, puts the area in the same class as California's Napa Valley and Oregon's Willamette Valley, The Arizona Republic reported last month. Sonoita was the first region in Arizona to receive the designation, in 1985.
John McLoughlin, the owner of Willcox's Cellar 433, led a three-year effort to acquire the designation, which was made official when it was published in the Federal Register in September.
The designation means the Willcox area was recognized as a unique region for growing wine grapes. In fact, according to federal documents, more than two-thirds of the state's grapes are grown in the Willcox basin. There are 21 vineyards in the area; McLoughlin's vineyard, the largest in the state, provides grapes for several wineries.
Among other things, the designation means no winery can use Willcox as part of its name unless the wine it makes comes largely from grapes grown in that region.

A rail ride by video!

A new experience for me was riding the Amtrak train through Willcox. One can see the charm of Railroad Avenue as it speeds by. Here is a video taken as the train passed through town.  Notice the lovely historic block on Railroad Avenue.

Natural, historical and signifigant points of interest around Willcox

The Willcox Commerical Company building offers a ripe opportunity to serve visitors to the area’s wonders.    What will its next incarnation be?   Retail space?   Winery?   Headquarters?   Restaurant?    Bring your dreams and watch them grow in the rich history -of the Willcox Commercial Company building and grounds.     

Watermelon Day 1909

The building with its massive commercial space, living quarters, cottage and yard are for sale for $190,000.   Contact John Seidel at 575 682 6362 for more information.  

   

This post acknowledges   the amazing area surrounding Willcox.   We are expanding out in a widening circle around Willcox.   We will see more beauty, more adventure, more nature  and more history.     Willcox is the gateway to a National Monument  and a National Historic Park as well as Wildlife preserves, Nature Conservancy holdings, state camping areas and two stops on the old Butterfield stage line, a relic of  old west. 

    
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An old ruin of the Butterfield Stage line is also on the west side of the valley.   3707 3711

  

 

On the west side of the Sulfur Springs Valley is the Cochise Stronghold.    Another beautiful area for camping and hiking.   http://cochisestronghold.com/    
 
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On the north east side of the Dos Cabezas Mountains is the Indian Bread Rocks Day use area.    This is a favorite of our family as there are picnic tables under trees immediately adjacent to the rise of a massive stone mountain ready to be climbed.    Beautiful views, rocks and trails to explore and a good meeting place for picnicking.   http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/recreation/camping/dev_camps/indian_bread_rocks.html   

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To the south east of Willcox, past the historic town and mountain named Dos Cabazes is the turn off to Ft Bowie, a National Historic Site.    Turn and drive through the beautiful hills and cross over Apache pass.    You will go by the site of a Wagon Train Massacre before you get to the path to the Fort ruins.  The Butterfield Stage had another stop here.    Visiting the ruins and visitor center is a look back to an important time in Arizona’s development. http://www.nps.gov/fobo/index.htm    

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To get to the  Chiricahua National Monument don’t turn towards Fort Bowie but continue south east towards the Chiricahua Mountains.   It’s 35 miles all together (and is a fantastic bike ride).     The Monument has miles of hiking trails through amazing rock formations.  http://www.nps.gov/chir/index.htm    

 Organ Pipes in the Monument

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Massai Point 

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Cochise Head 

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 The Range on the road between Willcox and the Monument.   

To the west of Willcox is “Texas Canyon” the home of the Amerind Foundation Museum.   Texas Canyon is an area of big boulders, mountains and desert.    http://www.amerind.org/    

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Tombstone and Bisbee are good day visits from Willcox too.    Bisbee is an old mining down with an enormous open pit mine as well as shaft mines.    Historic Bisbee, The Copper Queen Hotel and the gem museum are favorites.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisbee,_Arizona   

Relief Map of the County in the Court House in Bisbee.  

The Lavender Pit, an open pit Copper Mine in Bisbee.  

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Tombstone,   The town too tough to die.   

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Benson, the town to the west of Willcox (and half way to Tucson) is home to one of Arizona’s newly discovered natural wonders…  Kartchner Caverns!    Tours through this enormous living cave is unforgettable.    http://azstateparks.com/Parks/KACA/index.html

To the north of Willcox one can see Mount Graham with its observatory perched on the top, sometimes shining in the setting sun.   

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Also to the north is Roper Lake State Park which has camping and a natural hot springs. http://azstateparks.com/parks/ROLA/index.html     

Past Safford is the Gila Box wilderness area where we have camped and floated inflated kayaks down the river. http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/ncarea/gbox.html     

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On the west side of the valley is the Cochise Stronghold, a camping and hiking area in the Coronado National Forest.   http://cochisestronghold.com/.  

The Nature Conservancy has several holdings in the area including the Muleshoe Ranch,   Aravipa Canyon, and Ramsey Canyon….    These are areas of vital habitats that are being protected to preserve biodiversity.   They are also incredibly beautiful!  http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/arizona/placesweprotect/aravaipa-canyon-preserve.xml   ; http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/arizona/placesweprotect/ramsey-canyon-preserve.xml    ;   http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/arizona/placesweprotect/muleshoe-ranch-cma.xml 

Southeast Arizona is a gem.    It has 4 seasons, easy access to Tucson for large city amenities and international airport.   Sunshine most days of the year and delightful weather during the summer monsoon season.

This beautiful area can be yours with your base at the Historic Willcox Commercial Company on Railroad Avenue in Willcox Arizona.

The Building with its vast commercial space and delightful living areas has amazing potential.    Look into your heart and see if you would like to take this opportunity to own a piece of history and live in this amazing area.

For more information call John Seidel at 575 682 6362.