Merkin Vineyards Trattoria

Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria stands as Cottonwood, Arizona's premier destination for authentic farm-to-table Italian cuisine, sitting majestically adjacent to a 9,500 square-foot state-of-the-art production facility. The restaurant is surrounded by a stunning 4.5-acre vineyard featuring Graciano, Tempranillo, and Garnacha grape varieties, creating an immersive wine country experience. Under the culinary direction of Chef Kelley E. Foy, the kitchen crafts daily pasta using Arizona's renowned Hayden Mills flours, wood-fired pizzas topped with house-made pesto and locally sourced ingredients, and an innovative antipasti menu featuring dishes like Truffle Arancini, Lamb Meatballs with arrabiatta sauce, and Grilled Lamb Lollipops with creamy feta and salsa macha. The restaurant offers guests the unique opportunity to take a tram tour of the winery and barrel room, explore the on-site greenhouse and bottle shop, and sample award-winning wines produced by MJ Keenan, Jennifer Keenan, and Tim White from their 110 acres of estate vineyards in the Verde Valley. Gelato is handcrafted daily using Arizona-produced dairy and fresh ingredients from their greenhouses. Open Sunday through Thursday 11am-7pm and Friday through Saturday 11am-8pm for gelato, with lunch served 11am-4pm and dinner service available. Located at 760 N Verde Heights Drive in the heart of Arizona's wine country.