Red Rocks and Wine Country: A Guide's Take on the Private Sedona Wine Tour
Two of Arizona's Greatest Hits, One Private Day
Sedona's red rocks and the Verde Valley's wineries are two of Arizona's most requested experiences - and on the Private Sedona Red Rocks & Verde Valley Wine Tour, you don't have to choose between them. One private day, your own guide and vehicle, and an itinerary that flexes around your group instead of a fixed schedule.
That last part matters more than it sounds. Wine country rewards lingering, and red rock country rewards stopping at the viewpoint nobody planned on. A private tour is built for both.
Morning: Red Rock Country
Your guide picks you up from your Phoenix, Scottsdale, or Tempe hotel - recommended departure is between 6:00 and 7:00 AM - and points the luxury SUV or van north. Within a couple of hours the Sonoran Desert gives way to Sedona's famous skyline.
The greatest-hits run includes Bell Rock, the panoramic overlook at Airport Mesa, and the dramatic Chapel of the Holy Cross, built into the rocks themselves. Depending on your pace, add views of Cathedral Rock, Snoopy Rock, and Submarine Rock. Your guide handles the timing and the narration; you handle the camera.
Midday: Free Time in Sedona
Before wine country, the day pauses in Sedona itself. Browse the galleries, shops, and cafes of Uptown Sedona, or take a short walk to the Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village - courtyards, sycamores, and handcrafted goods in a setting that feels a long way from anywhere.
Lunch is on you, in the best possible way: Sedona's restaurants and cafes are part of the fun, and your guide will point you somewhere worth the detour.
Afternoon: The Verde Valley Wine Hop
The wineries sit about 25 minutes outside Sedona, and this is where the private format really pays off. Your guide manages the afternoon so you can fit in as many tastings as time allows - no fixed pour count, no bus schedule hovering over the group.
Depending on timing and your preferences, tastings may include Oak Creek Vineyards, Javelina Leap, Page Springs Cellars, or Alcantara Vineyards. Arizona wine has earned real respect in recent years, and the Verde Valley is where you taste the reason why. Tastings start at $15 per person and are paid at each winery.
Feeling ambitious? Add the historic town of Jerome, perched on Cleopatra Hill - galleries, wine rooms, and sweeping valley views from a former copper mining town turned artist colony.
The Practical Stuff
- Duration: 8-11 hours, year-round, any day of the week; a shorter day may mean excluding some stops.
- Pricing: Private SUV (1-3 guests) $975/group; (4-5 guests) $1,075/group. Private Van (6-10 guests) $1,450/group; (11-13 guests) $1,700/group. Plus a $40/group fuel surcharge at checkout.
- Vehicle: Luxury SUV for 1-5 guests; high-roof touring van with oversized windows and USB charging ports for 6-13.
- Included: Private guide with live commentary, roundtrip hotel or residence pickup, guided red rock sightseeing, unlimited bottled water.
- Not included: Wine tastings, meals, guide gratuities, third-party activities.
- Ages: No minimum age; guests under 21 can't taste, but the scenery and the root beer are still excellent.
It's a natural fit for bachelorette parties, team outings, family celebrations - or anyone who wants red rocks and great wine without renting a car or designating a driver. The full rundown is on the Sedona Wine Tour FAQ.
Ready to Taste the Red Rocks?
Check availability and details on the Private Sedona Red Rocks & Verde Valley Wine Tour page - and build the day around your group's pace, not the other way around.