Near Sedona's famed red rocks, a wine trail in Arizona

The famed red rocks of Sedona draw visitors from around the world. But less than half an hour away from Sedona's tourist crowds is an attraction that might surprise out-of-towners: Arizona's Verde Valley Wine Trail, complete with vineyards tucked into volcanic rock and limestone, with grapevines growing within view of the tasting rooms.

Wine in a state known for desert and heat? Yes, thanks to elevations above 914 meters and a milder climate than in places like Phoenix, 161 kilometers away.

Communities on the wine trail like Cottonwood and Cornville mainly attract staycationers, including Phoenix residents looking to escape to the semi-wilderness for a day or two, but the wines made here are pulling Sedona tourists south through central Arizona's green landscapes.