The beautiful landscape of Pillsbury Vineyard in Willcox, showcasing its vast grape production.
Sam Pillsbury, owner of Pillsbury Wine Company, has announced the sale of his Willcox, Arizona vineyard priced at $1.45 million. This estate features an 80-acre vineyard with 13,000 vines and various facilities, marking a significant transition as Pillsbury, approaching 79, looks forward to spending time with family. With a legacy of over 120 awards, he hopes to pass the vineyard to someone who will modernize and advance Arizona’s wine industry, which continues to grow. The Cottonwood tasting room will close on April 13, but the Willcox location remains open.
In a move that’s making waves in the local wine scene, Sam Pillsbury, the owner of Pillsbury Wine Company, has announced the sale of his beloved vineyard in Willcox, Arizona. Priced at $1.45 million, this sprawling estate includes an impressive 80-acre vineyard that boasts 13,000 vines spread across 11 grape varieties. It’s definitely a tempting offer for any wine enthusiast looking to step into the business.
This vineyard isn’t just about grapes; it comes with a cozy 1,600-square-foot house, a winery building, and other essential structures that make up the heart of a working winery. Imagine the possibilities! For someone with a passion for wine and a keen eye for business, this vineyard could be a blank canvas to modernize and expand what Pillsbury has built over the years.
Sam Pillsbury began his journey into the world of winemaking later in life, making the leap in his 50s after a successful career as a filmmaker. His passion for wine was ignited by a delightful Dos Cabezas chardonnay he tasted back in 1999. Fast forward a couple of decades, and he has transformed the local wine landscape, with only two vineyards in southern Arizona at that time, exploding to over 40 vineyards today in the Willcox American Viticultural Area.
Pillsbury Wine Company has garnered a staggering number of awards under his stewardship. Since 2016 alone, Pillsbury has racked up 120 medals, including 11 Double Golds, 2 Best of Class, 14 Golds, and 66 Silvers. These achievements reflect not only Pillsbury’s skill but also his unwavering dedication to crafting world-class wines that put Arizona on the map.
As Sam approaches his 79th birthday, he has decided to sell as he has noticed a decline in his energy over the past two years. This decision isn’t just about stepping away from the vineyard; it’s about wanting to spend more cherished moments with family in Phoenix. To make this transition smoother, the Cottonwood tasting room will officially close on April 13, while the Willcox tasting room will continue to be open for business.
One of Sam’s hopes for selling the vineyard is to hand it over to someone who can carry the torch. He desires a new owner who will modernize and expand the winery’s capabilities, taking Arizona’s wine industry to even greater heights. His friends and fellow winemakers agree that all the groundwork he laid down was pivotal in crafting a burgeoning wine community, turning Arizona wines into a recognized and respected choice.
The Arizona wine industry is continually evolving. Recent initiatives, like the generous $6 million donation to develop a viticulture program at Cochise College, aim to attract younger generations to the workforce. The energy and excitement surrounding the future of Arizona wines have Sam feeling optimistic. He believes he has indeed made a positive impact in shaping the local industry, and he hopes to pass that momentum on to the next generation of winemakers.
For anyone keen to embark on a winemaking adventure in the desert, this vineyard poses a fantastic opportunity to step into a rich history while contributing to an even brighter future for wine in Arizona.
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