The Magdelena Bash Harvest Festival, a major attraction for the Elgin/Sonita wine region, will be hosted by Kief-Joshua Vineyards later this month.
A winemaker at the vineyard, Kief Manning, says the warm weather this year has enabled some areas in Arizona to harvest early. His vineyard, which is hosting the event for the fifth year in a row, has made its first white wine of the year, which was a chardonnay.
Also planned for release from the vineyard are other new white wines for the summer and a Cabernet Sauvignon. It signature wine is the Magdelena, a blend of Cabernet Franc and Barbera named for Manning’s grandmother who turns 95 this month, and this will also be featured.
There will be live musical performances by artists from Tucson and Phoenix. For the first three hours, Andy Hersey, a country western singer, will be on stage, to be followed by the Dry River Yacht Club until the end of the day. Mexican cuisine will be provided by the Mi Cocinita Mexican Kitchen. Manning’s grandmother is hoped to be making her usual appearance depending on her health that day.
Banner printing is likely to be used to announce the event, which will take place on Saturday, August 23 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. A tasting fee of $8 will be charged and includes a souvenir glass.
