The power of friendship is an unparalleled concept. It’s knowing you have a group that will provide you with unwavering support, understanding, and comradery, enriching your life in profound and meaningful ways. Friends are the pillars of strength, joy, and connection that make life’s journey better.
Since I started my wine blog, I’ve found so many people who enriched my life both in-person and on social. People who have supported me, encouraged me and most times, pushed me to be better.
I had the chance to spend a weekend with some of those friends recently. It was our third annual girl’s trip, which included lots of wine, laughter, food, and fun. I came home with a full stomach and an even fuller heart.
This year we had a new twist. We were going to not center the trip around wine and chose Sedona, Arizona. I’ve been to Arizona a few times and snow was never part of the equation. About half of Arizona is semiarid, one-third is arid, and the remainder is humid. Sedona, where we were staying, isn’t known as a snow town. But never say never. I was on the same flight as one of my local friends (one of my favorite people I should see more, but life gets in the way) and got re-routed due to a lack of visibility due to the snow that was coming down. After a diversion to Phoenix and a few hours of starts and stops, we made it to the right airport. By then, the road was closed, we were spending the night, and we made a plan to meet the rest of our party tomorrow.
So, we made the best of it. We grabbed a room at a local hotel, opened a bottle of wine I wanted to share made by another friend from Extradimensional Wine Company and had a proper catch-up.
The next day we were picked up by Steve from Arizona Scenic Tours and made our way to the Grand Canyon. To be candid, I am not a big fan of being cold, but seeing the majesty of nature just left me speechless. To be lucky enough to see a place that has withstood the power of time, was beautiful. The lighting, the texture, the formations left me in awe – especially with a snowy backdrop.
For a proper overview of the trip or great recommendations on a trip to Sedona, check out Please the Palate.
While this wasn’t a wine trip, we brought some wines that we drank together in prior years or ones made by people who have become friends. Three other notable ones made by friends included:
2019 Smith Story Cabernet Franc — we visited Smith Story for our first trip. I love this wine; I love the owners and I love the story.
Native Flora NV (2022) Ruby Primo – A destination we enjoyed at an Oregon Wine Bloggers conference and a winemaker who continues to make delicious wines that defy conventional standards. This one is an innovative take on a blush wine. It was like a Clairet Bordeaux, but it’s a mix between a rosé and a rouge. Lots of structure along with depth. It was delicious.
2022 Acquiesce Grenache Rosé – Sue Tipton, the fearless owner who decided to make white wines in a region known for red. And her wines and beautiful examples of what white Rhône wines should taste like.
As the snow fell unexpectedly in Sedona, it brought with it not just a change in weather, but also an unexpected twist to a now annual tradition. Yet, amidst the unexpected detours and snowy landscapes, the true warmth of friendship shone through with laughter, wine, food, and stories.
