You will not find anything more charming than this little gem in the vineyards of Young, Arizona, just 120 miles outside Phoenix, AZ.
My friend and I wanted to take a road trip from Phoenix, Arizona, and find a place to rest, hike, bask in nature, and sip wine.
We got all this and more at Tierra Madre Vineyards. I’ve always been curious about Arizona wine, so this trip was the first of many wine adventures I plan to make.

Located in Gila County, AZ, the little town of Young, AZ is in the heart of Pleasant Valley and shows up as a bright spot after driving through the tall pines and junipers of the Tonto National Forest. We were greeted by the views of this sleepy, relaxed, and picturesque town with rolling hills, windmills, and ranches. “Perfect,” we said.
And then the vineyards of Young, Arizona came into view. “More perfect!”

The History of Young, Arizona

Carrie-Anne and Mike Oliver purchased the 15-acre property in 2015, becoming part of the rich Young, Arizona history dating back to 1889 when the “Young family” settled there and started the first mail delivery route to this region.
These super-friendly hosts repurposed the native stone building, turning it into a livable space, and expanded it to include a guest house. The one original structure on the property was a small cabin and today it is the most charming “garden house.”
IN 2017 they began preparing the site for planting and later planted their first 333 Vidal Blanc vines. Another 1,383 vines were planted in 2020 when they opened their B&B.

You Won’t Get Cabin Fever at Tierra Madre Vineyards!

Lucky for us their property came up on expanded search results when I typed in cabin rentals in Payson, AZ. Young, Arizona is just 1.5 hours outside Payson. Looking at the photos and their description on Airbnb, we gladly ditched Payson for Young, Arizona, and rented their garden house for two nights.
From the outside, it looks small, but the interior is deceivingly spacious and well laid out. It has everything you need to prepare meals, including condiments and amazing ground coffee. Carrie-Anne has an interior decorating background. Mike is a contractor and they both are avid antique scavengers and collectors. You will see it in the details everywhere which reflect cozy, western chic meets outdoor elements of nature. Enter your rental and you still start gazing at the décor and discovering unique trinkets, books on Young, AZ history, and some useful guides.
Health-seeking visitors will appreciate the aromas coming from her herb and vegetable garden, and the natural surroundings infused with flowers, hummingbirds, and other animals.

A Farm to Table Experience in the Vineyards of Young Arizona

Their vines are young and are not bearing fruit yet, but wine tasting and meals are just down the road at Bruzzi Vineyards. This is where I had the best, mouth-watering prime rib dinner in years, along with an exceptional flight of wines. Besides Bruzzi Vineyard restaurant, there are three restaurants listed on Google Maps in Young, AZ, one of which is a grab-and-go. So, it’s a good idea to bring your own food to prepare meals. Bruzzi Vineyards has limited seating and reservations are strongly recommended for dinner but definitely don’t miss that opportunity! They also accommodated my friend who is a vegan with a custom meal. Carrie-Anne also makes reservations on behalf of her guests.

Tierra Madre guests can also order specialty coffees and other drinks during the day.

But her breakfasts are not to be passed up so reserve these in advance. After all, this is a bed and breakfast and frankly, to date, the best B&B in Arizona. I had a keto-carnivore, gluten-free meal which kept me fueled for the road trip home. Carrie-Anne understands natural health and can prepare your breakfast to suit any restrictions with advance notice.

The Most Comfortable Sleep in the Vineyards of Young Arizona

I credit the plush bedding and comfortable mattress for waking me up refreshed. It’s quiet on the grounds, even their sheep and goats in the neighboring barn sleep well.
We had the opportunity to tour the guest house in between bookings and it did not disappoint. It has two bedrooms (a double bunk room and a master queen bedroom) on the second floor of the main building with spacious sitting and kitchen areas. You can chill on the porch admiring the trees and creek views and watch the hummingbirds all day long. I brought my morning coffee back over there on checkout day and watched a hummingbird dance over this feeder, sipping her sugar water for several minutes.

The Nature-Loving Traveler Would Love the Vineyards in Young Arizona

Stroll the grounds, walk through the vineyards, say hi to the sheep and goats (they love the attention), and there is a bin of food for the guests to feed them. You can venture out for a beautiful hike down the creek that runs through their property. I was itching to expend energy after the road trip so I went for a jog my first morning and met some friendly neighbors.

The unnamed creek running through their property meets Cherry Creek, runs into Salt River, and then empties into Roosevelt Lake. We did a slow to moderate hike for 90 minutes and found interesting patterns within rock formations. It was late August, and the water level was low but listening and watching the little falls along the way was a nice pause to recollect and soak in nature. If you are lucky, you will be sitting on your porch watching fresh rainfall during monsoon season and inhaling the aromas of vineyard life!

We chose to stay on the property the entire two days with exception of a jog around the area, a hike down the creek, and dinner at Bruzzi the first night. Bruzzi Vineyard hosts wine tastings and other events which is a short 5-minute drive down the road. On my next trip to Young, Arizona, I am definitely spending more time at Bruzzi Vineyard, to also visit their farm stand and their pet llamas!

The Road Trip to the Vineyards of Young Arizona

It is a short three-hour drive from Phoenix. Whether you travel through Payson or come up Route 288 from the US-60 you will go through Tonto National Forest which is breathtaking. However, both roads leading to Young are dirt roads for several miles. It was a slow, slightly rough drive but you will find yourself stopping to admire the views and take some photos. I will definitely be returning in a truck or SUV.

Tierra Madre offers packages that include sightseeing tours and can host special occasions. They are considering hosting retreats, weddings, and workshops as well as wine tastings in the future. This one could become one of the best vineyards in Arizona.

Things to Note:

Tall individuals (6’ or taller) may feel a little cramped in the garden house (lower ceilings). The guest house would be more ideal.
Creek hike may be challenging for anyone with arthritis, balance issues since there is some boulder and rock crawling to get through the further down the creek you go. Please do not hike alone. Bring water, snacks, and emergency supplies. It is a very quiet trail, just you and nature; truly beautiful!

Tips for the Health-Seeking Traveler:

Environment

At Tierra Madre Vineyards, filtered water is included so there is no need to bring your own drinking water.
The Garden House (standalone cabin) had everything we needed for a spa-like self-care stay. But you can take it up a notch by bringing your own essential oils to diffuse by your bedside or in the shower. It can help with sleep, respiratory issues, or travel stress. The rental units are stocked with natural-based soaps and toiletries.

Young Arizona sits at 5,184 feet in elevation, so it is a nice escape from the Phoenix summer heat. The town averages 12 inches of snow per year and despite which season you choose for your visit, you will be breathing cleaner air compared to the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix).

Physical Considerations

Walking sticks or hiking poles for the trails would be good ideas for those with any balance or strength issues.
If you have any stability or mobility issues, be mindful of uneven pathways on the property. Wear supportive walking shoes,
The cabin and guest house are both pet-free and non-smoking.

Diet

Vegan options for breakfast are available at both vineyards.
Gluten-free? You will have no problem except the tempting gluten delights on the table!.
Carnivore? You will love it here!

Conclusion:

You will not be disappointed by Young, AZ, whether you are stopping through or scheduling a stay in this beautiful gem in Pleasant Valley. Wine-lovers, nature lovers, health seekers, and those who need a “get-away from it all experience” without a long road trip should certainly put this on their travel bucket list.

Restorative Rating:

Excellent. One of my favorites stays and Arizona trips to date!

Resources:

If you are looking for hotels or bed and breakfasts in Young, AZ, or want to learn more about this little wine region in Arizona, visit their website: www.tierramadrevineyards.com

For wine tastings in Young, Arizona, or reservations for dinner, brunch, or events, check out their neighbor, Bruzzi Vineyards, the first of all vineyards of Young, Arizona. In fact, it is the first in Gila County: www.bruzzivineyard.com.

To see a full list of accommodations I have reviewed in my travels, click here.

To read my story, please visit my page here.

This blog post was not sponsored.

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