Three tours that earn the tasting: a guided Verde River paddle that ends at a winery, a vortex experience paired with vineyard pours, and Southwest wines in a first-class rail car through Verde Canyon.
Three formats, from $181. 655 traveller reviews across them, led by the river paddle's 4.8 across 412.
Listings, routes and prices checked against every live booking page. How we check
Short answer
These are the tours for a second Sedona day, or for anyone who finds four tasting rooms in a row one too many. The Water to Wine trip paddles a stretch of the Verde River and lands at Alcantara Vineyards with a tasting credit, from $181. Vortex to Vineyards pairs a guided vortex experience with D.A. Ranch and Javelina Leap pours, from $199 with Sedona pickup. The Grape Train Escape pairs Southwest wines with cheeses in a first-class Verde Canyon Railroad car out of Clarkdale, from $202. Two of the three meet 30 to 40 minutes from Uptown Sedona.
The highest-rated high-volume wine tour in this whole region is not a bus to four wineries. It is a kayak. The Water to Wine run has held 4.8 across 412 reviews doing one simple thing: a guided float on a quiet stretch of the Verde River that ends on the bank at Alcantara Vineyards, where a tasting credit is waiting and nobody has to drive anywhere first.
The other two adventures split the difference between Sedona's two obsessions. Vortex to Vineyards opens with a prickly-pear mimosa and a personalized vortex reading before it gets to the wineries, and it is hosted by ABC wildlife host Rachel Reenstra. The Grape Train Escape is the sedentary one: a first-class car on the Verde Canyon Railroad, wines poured against cheeses while the canyon and the Perkinsville ghost town roll past. None of the three asks you to choose between scenery and a glass.
Prices are the current from-price and move with your date and group size, so the live listing is always the authority.
Most reviewed in this category
Paddle a quiet stretch of the Verde River with a guide, then step out of the kayak at Alcantara Vineyards with a tasting credit waiting. The only tour in the region where the wine arrives by river, and the reason it holds the highest rating of any high-volume tour here.
Sedona's two obsessions in one afternoon: a vortex experience with a personalized reading, then D.A. Ranch and Javelina Leap pours with a prickly-pear mimosa to start and the Airport Overlook on the way. Hosted by ABC wildlife host Rachel Reenstra.
Four hours in a first-class car on the Verde Canyon Railroad with Southwest wines paired to cheeses while the canyon, the river and the Perkinsville ghost town roll past the window. The only tasting in Arizona that comes with its own railroad.
Different effort levels, similar money. What actually separates them is where the day starts and how much of it is the activity versus the wine.
| Tour | From | Starts at | The shape of it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water to Wine kayak trip | $181 per person | Alcantara Vineyards, Camp Verde (about 35 minutes from Uptown Sedona) | One to two guided hours on the river, then a $20 tasting credit at Alcantara. Sommelier-led, 4.8 across 412 reviews. |
| Vortex to Vineyards | $199 per person | The Wilde Resort & Spa, Sedona (personal pickup offered for a fee) | Prickly-pear mimosa, guided vortex experience with a personalized reading, then D.A. Ranch and Javelina Leap with the Airport Overlook between. 4.8 across 206 reviews. |
| Grape Train Escape | $202 per person | Verde Canyon Railroad depot, Clarkdale (about 40 minutes from Uptown Sedona) | Four hours in a first-class rail car: Southwest wines paired with cheeses and hors d'oeuvres, winemaker commentary, canyon and river views. 4.6 across 37 reviews. |
The listing describes a guided float on a calm stretch of the Verde River with one to two hours of paddling, run by guides, and its 4.8 across 412 reviews includes plenty of first-timers. If you can sit in a kayak and hold a paddle, this is the accessible end of river sports.
At Alcantara Vineyards, 3445 S Grapevine Way in Camp Verde, about 35 minutes from Uptown Sedona. You drive there, paddle the river leg, and finish at the winery with a tasting credit. There is no Sedona pickup on this one.
A guided vortex experience with a personalized reading, before the wine: the tour opens with a prickly-pear mimosa, visits D.A. Ranch and Javelina Leap, and takes in the Sedona Airport Scenic Overlook between stops. It departs from The Wilde Resort & Spa on 89A, with personal pickup offered for a fee.
Both, honestly weighted toward the train. You board a first-class Verde Canyon Railroad car in Clarkdale for four hours; the wines are Southwest pours served with cheeses and hors d'oeuvres at your seat, with winemaker commentary, while the canyon does the sightseeing. Nobody visits a vineyard on foot.
If you have only one day and want wineries, take a shared vineyard run instead. As a second day: the kayak for active groups, the vortex pairing if you want Sedona's spiritual side folded in, the train if anyone in the party would rather not hike, paddle or stand.
Worth a look for a door-to-door private tasting, if the group would rather be driven than paddle.
Reading first: The river run, planned properly · The grape train, dates and cars · Vortex sites and vineyard pairings
