An Oasis in the Desert

If you are looking for a unique and memorable wine experience in Utah, yes I said Utah, it’s time to check out Spanish Valley Vineyard & Winery in Moab. This family-owned winery specializes in single-vineyard estate-bottled wines, meaning they grow, ferment, and bottle their own grapes on site. The winery is in a scenic valley on the south end of Moab, surrounded by the gorgeous red rocks of Moab Valley to the west and the La Sal Mountains to the east, offering stunning views and a relaxing atmosphere. In April, the La Sal mountains are still covered in snow which makes a beautiful contrast to the red and orange of the cliffs nearby.

My wife and I visited Spanish Valley Vineyard & Winery on tail end of our National Parks tour, and I was impressed by the quality and variety of their wines, despite being grown in Utah. They offer six different wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and a fun Cherry wine. The white wines are made from grapes grown in their own vineyard, which dates back to the 1970s when it was part of a Utah State University agricultural experiment. The winery claims that the dry and rocky soil of Moab produces delicious white German-varietal wines, and as the biggest fan of Riesling, I agree. The red wines are made from grapes sourced from Yakima Valley, and anyone who knows wine, knows that WA makes amazing fruit. The Cab, Merlot, and Syrah reflect exactly what I expected from Yakima grapes.

We opted for a full tasting of all their wines, ($20) which also included a few bonus pours of the Late Harvest Riesling (my favorite) and various versions of the Cherry Wine. The tasting room was cozy and rustic, with wooden barrels and wine bottles lining the walls. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, talking with us about the wines and overall operation of the winery.  I enjoyed all of them, but my favorites were the Riesling, Syrah, and the Cherry Wine was really incredible when paired with some dark chocolate. The Syrah was smooth and full-bodied, with aromas of blackberry, plum, and pepper. The Riesling was crisp and refreshing, with flavors of apple, pear, and honey. The Late Harvest was sweeter of course and smooth despite the tart acidity.

Interestingly, the winery is owned by a Mormon family living in Salt Lake City, and while they don’t get into the wine making side of things, they are incredibly supportive of the winemaker and staff, providing support wherever needed. They also operate an Air B n’ B on the property, with 2 lodgings that can host 15+ people each! What’s better than staying in the middle of beautiful Moab Valley with a vineyard outside your door?

So, if you find yourself hiking, running, or off-roading in Moab and need a reprieve with some tasty grapes, be sure to drive 10 min south of downtown and check out Spanish Hills Winery! For more information on the wines and Bed & Breakfast, visit their website at https://www.moabwinery.com/