The Water to Wine Festival at the Old Town Center for the Arts in Cottonwood on Sunday, April 26, 2009 was sponsored by the Verde Valley Wine Consortium.

Music, Wine, and Water awareness in Old Town Cottonwood

The Water to Wine Festival sponsored by the Verde Valley Wine Consortium on April 26, 2009 promoted wine, wineries, and economic and environmental sustainability in the Verde Valley.

by Carl Jackson

SEDONA, AZ - April 27, 2009 - Yesterday the Old Town Center for the Arts in Old Town Cottonwood, AZ played host to an intimate community gathering sponsored by the Verde Valley Wine Consortium to promote wine, wineries, and economic and environmental sustainability in the Verde Valley.

The mission of the Consortium is for the overall advancement of the wine industry, tourism, economic development and education in the Verde Valley.  Along with a wine tasting that offered samples from Page Springs Cellars, Javelina Leap, and Oak Creek Vineyards, among others, there was food and music provided by Will Eaton & Friends.

Debbie Wahl, the co-owner of the Oak Creek Vineyards and Winery said that wineries help promote tourism in the Verde Valley and Sedona.  "We're partnering with Sedona.  It's a win-win for Sedona and the Verde Valley.  It increases sales tax revenue and helps the local economy."

Debbie Wahl, co-owner of the Oak Creek Vineyards and Winery says that Verde Valley wineries are a perfect partner with Sedona tourist businesses.  (visit: oakcreekvineyards.net).

Jawn Mckinley, the Chair of the Water Wise Alliance and John Neville, President of Sustainable Arizona were there to show their support for the sustainable and water conservation practices of Verde Valley vineyards.

Said John Neville, "Grapes are a low water use crop.  One acre of grapes use about one square acre foot of water per year compared to a family of four that uses about three times that much.  Vineyards preserve landscapes, watersheds, and riparian areas and help make the Verde Valley sustainable both environmentally and economically."

Tom Schumacher, the Executive Dean of the Yavapai College Verde Valley Campus in Clarkdale was on hand to promote the campus's three year master plan project to launch a Viticulture and Enology program supported by a local solar farm, reclaimed water and 32 acres of new vineyards. The solar farm will provide 5 mega watts of power to the local campus and new vineyards, and be the launching pad for a new certificate program in Solar Power Plant Management (to learn more contact Tom Schumacher at tom.schumacher@yc.edu).

But the evening wasn't just about wine and water.  Local musicians Will Eaton & Friends entertained attendees at the newly renovated indoor theater at the Old Town Center for the Arts.  Located at 5th and Main in Cottonwood (928 634-0940), the Old Town Center for the Arts offers ongoing musical events throughout the year.  To learn more, visit:  www.oldtowncenter.org.

Click here to watch Will Eaton's daughter, Ty Eaton, perform at the Water to Wine Event at the Old Town Center for the Arts in Cottonwood.