By STEVE AYERS
Staff Reporter

Is the Verde Valley set to become the next Napa Valley?

It is not as far fetched an idea as it may first appear.

Blessed with warm days, cool nights and the alkaline soils that vines thrive on; the Verde Valley's potential is getting noticed, and not just from folks on the outside.

Over the last five years, the area has seen a dramatic increase in the number of vines planted, the number of landowners showing an interest in planting vines and the number of investors looking for land to turn into vineyards.

The valley's yield grows every year and the quality of the product grows proportionally.

"We have everything here we need to create a niche in the wine business, based on quality," says local vineyard and winery owner Maynard Keenan. "The combination of soils and microclimates is very similar to some of the world's best wine regions."

The growing interest among investors, growers and vintners has also created enthusiasm among other interests in the valley, not necessarily connected to the winemaking industry.

On June 12, a group of self-proclaimed "wine geeks" and, to be fair, some teetotalers, gathered in Cottonwood and formed the Verde Valley Wine Consortium.

Their mission is to put the Verde Valley on the national, and someday international, wine map.

The consortium traces its beginnings to discussions between Cottonwood City Manager Doug Bartosch and Casey Rooney, Cottonwood's economic development director.

"Doug and I both realized that there was a lot of energy and synergy in the industry, but it wasn't being focused," says Rooney. "We saw the opportunity so we decided to see if we could get everyone together."

Around 50 invitations went out. Nearly everyone showed up.

"Here we are four months later and everyone is still excited and the group is growing," says Rooney.

The consortium consists of representatives from Yavapai College, Yavapai County, valley municipalities, restaurateurs, business owners, vineyards and wineries, and an eclectic collection of enthusiasts who also see the idea as an economic boon and a way of protecting the valley's rural character.

Although centered on the marketing, legislative and educational side of the wine industry, the Verde Valley Wine Consortium is looking at an even larger picture -- including such things as sustainability.

"When it comes to creating sustainable economies, there are few that rival the wine industry. There is a huge investment to get a vineyard or a winery up and going. But once they are established they tend to stay around for along time," says Rooney.

He stresses the idea that the consortium is not just a City of Cottonwood project, it is designed to promote the entire Verde Valley.

"The idea is to get this up and running and eventually pass it off to the Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization," says Rooney. "What's good for the region is good for Cottonwood and vise versa. We see this as an opportunity for the entire valley."

Local winemaker and owner of Javalina Leap Vineyard and Winery, Rod Snapp sees nothing but good things coming from the consortium.

"In the wine industry it is a case of the more wineries the more people who will come to sample and buy," says Snapp. "Unlike some industries, we thrive on competition.

"The consortium is what we need to build on what we already have. It has been my dream for over 20 years to have this kind of enthusiasm for turning the valley into a wine destination. It's good for our business and it will be good for the economy of the entire area."

If there is a prevailing spirit among the consortium members it is typified by the thoughts of restaurateur Paula Woolsey, owner of the Asylum Restaurant in Jerome and the Recovery Room in Cottonwood.

"I would love to see this go as far as it can go," she says.