Here is an unusual pair of wines. Aridus Winery & Vineyard is located in Cochise County, Arizona. The grapes used for Aridus wines hail from three distinctive regions - Arizona, New Mexico, and California, each offering their own unique flavor profiles that contribute to the diverse range of wines produced. Renowned winemaker Lisa Strid skillfully harnesses the intrinsic qualities of the terroir, which spans from the sun-drenched deserts to the cool coastal regions of California.

The Aridus 2016 Syrah is made from two vineyards just south of Willcox, Arizona. The Syrah smells of sage, desert rain, rosemary, smoke, and caramel. On the palate, flavors of black olive, cinnamon, blackberry, and char come together for a well-integrated, mouth-coating sip. The finish is persistent, with all the flavors holding together to the end. It was named by Wine & Spirits Magazine as Best Syrah in 2020.

The 2017 Aridus Malbec is made with fruit from New Mexico and is bursting with fresh berry aromas and flavors - blackberry, blueberry, and black cherry. The palate is rounded out with flavors of bay leaf, coffee, and a hint of sawdust, with lightly chalky tannins and a medium-weight mouthfeel.