After an awesome train ride in the Verde Canyon Railroad in Clarkdale, we celebrated my birthday…read moredinner at Merlin. We've been so intrigued by the hilltop prominence of this beautiful building that we had to make it a special event (such as my birthday). The 100 steps from street level to the restaurant entry were easy and safe regardless of the several downpours that occurred that afternoon. Alternatively, patrons can easily drive around the hill to the restaurant entry. Or even more fun, take the funicular cable car from street level to the entry, riding along side of the vertical steps. Once inside, the hostess was adorable and friendly, quickly seating us per our reservation request to sit as the bar which has the most stunning views of the surrounding canyon all the way to the hills of Sedona. Once seated, our attentive bartender Lalo gently moved into action with beverages and our dinner order. The Salads are tasty and unique with some fruits and nuts. The pizza was baked perfection with lots of Pelleroni, and the Papardelle Pasta with Short Rib Red Sauce was excellent, loaded with sauce and meat, with homemade pasta noodles cooked to perfection. Our bartender graciously brought us a couple desserts on the house for my wife and me to celebrate...Baked Alaska and of course Cannoli's. So much delight that we had to bring home a portion of each plate. Maynard, you've done justice to this restaurant and to Old Town Cottonwood. Keep up the great work and Rock On! PS Apologies for no food photos...we immediately jumped in.

Absolutely breathtaking views…read more Went to celebrate me and my boyfriend's anniversary for dinner. The waitress was kind enough to let us switch to outdoor seating even though our reservation was indoor. I ordered the lasagna and found very dry and chalky. It was still very picturesque, and my boyfriend's pizza looked and tasted yummy. I would most definitely go back, I'd probably just order something else.

We came on a rainy Saturday night with no reservation. It was surprisingly busy inside, we asked…read morefor the wait and the hostess said about 45 min. We decided not to stay so we left. We ended coming back about 10 min later because there wasn't too many food options around the area. The same hostess asked if a table was ok and we said yes so we ended up getting seated immediately. We were a little confused We ordered a few things, Garden salad - the portion was big but the vinaigrette dressing didn't taste like anything. I wish we got a different salad since it just tasted like plain wet salad (4/10) Pesto Pizza - very good pesto flavor and I really enjoyed their pizza dough. I wish we added some type of meat ontop because it felt like it was missing something. I'd probably get it again and ask to do that (6.5/10) or a (8/10) when I added the chicken Chicken piccata - this dish was good, chicken was a little dry. It came with polenta that was very flavorful. I was using this chicken to eat with the pizza and salad. (7/10)

Merkin Vineyards and Tasting Room is hands down one of the best wine and dining experiences I've…read moreexperienced in Arizona! From the moment you arrive, everything feels thoughtfully curated. Starting with the charming tram/trolley that takes you up to the restaurant, offering a fun and scenic alternative to climbing stairs. We started with a wine flight, and I have to say--the white wine options were outstanding! Crisp, refreshing, and beautifully balanced. Each one had its own character, and the staff, super knowledgeable and happy to walk us through the flavors and pairings. If you're a white wine lover, this spot is a must. The food was equally memorable. Hubs ordered the muffuletta sandwich which included layers of flavor with high-quality ingredients on a lofty rosemary focaccia bread- delish! I ordered the house salad & added organic chicken. This salad was fresh, hearty, and full of vibrant farm-to-table goodness. You can absolutely taste the difference. We enjoyed sitting outside with beautiful Arizona weather on the patio. This spot is perfect for sipping wine and soaking in the views. Merkin also offers canned wines to-go and a fun selection of merch, which makes it easy to take a little piece of Merkin home with you. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or just looking for a relaxing day with great food and drink, Merkin Vineyards is a gem. Personally, I can't wait to return!

Such a fun little stop at Arizona Stronghold Vineyards Tasting Room in Cottonwood, AZ. The staff…read morewas super helpful and made everything easy, and I loved getting to relax on one of their comfy couches with my boyfriend. It had such a laid back Sunday vibe. They had a deal where you could pick any three wines off the menu for $13 which was perfect for trying a few things. My favorite was the 2021 Lake Cochise Red, it tasted exactly like the flavor notes they described. Definitely somewhere I'd come back to soon.

This is the type of tasting experience that really speaks to me - a knowledgeable team that is very…read morepersonable, a great selection of whites and reds with different flight choices, an aesthetically pleasing extended seating area for conversation and listening to a bit of music. I'll be back, for sure!

This was our first time at DA Vines. My husband and I attended a ticketed event called the "Old…read moreTown Showdown" dinner, where two local wineries, Rubix and Da Vine, went head-to-head with a blind tasting. We were served a 6-course dinner paired with a wine from each winery, and then we voted on what wine we felt paired best with the course. It was so fun. The food was amazing, and the service was exceptional! It's such a cute space. We will definitely be back for a tasting and more food because everything was amazing.

Location is gorgeous!! Beautiful setting and indoors is awesome…read more We were not impressed with the wines or staff knowledge. Nothing (notes on each wine) in print and we were encouraged to go on line to their site to find out more...but staff could not find anything on their own site (after we searched). We got step-ford wife style repeated information about the one wine we were interested in "Smoky front with green pepper ending." No table service - They poured a first taste - you had to go back and stand in line to get a second pour. 3 pours for $30 and they asked for tip. Forgot I wasn't in CA. Three stars for ambiance.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED…read more It is a delightful place, friendly to strangers and very picturesque. Transports you to the Wild West in all it's glory. The drive through Sedona and the mountains to this Town is an experience I will never forget for the rest of my life. Majestic. Grand. Magnificent. My God the beauty of this Region is mind-blowing. You'll need nerves of steel driving down the mountains. COME HERE! You can thank me later!

We enjoyed visiting downtown Cottonwood's art galleries, and antique shops and eating at the Merkin…read moreVineyard.

We only had wine but sat outside watching a lightning storm over the mountains. A great night in…read moreCottonwood. The wine was great & the live music was spot on. They are a regular stop when we're in the area.

Stumbled upon this place just walking through town. Being from Napa Valley I was very sceptical to…read moreeven try. Did try, recommend everyone to try it out. Different wines, mostly blends of dark fruits, but not bad at all. Vibe is good, staff is friendly, life music was just a perfect finishing touch.

Really good food in a pleasant atmosphere. The wine was reasonably priced and delicious. Friendly…read morestaff. Purchase and orders taken from the bar. Customers chose seating. Food delivered to table. A tab can be run. Stairs to most of the outside seating, but indoor seating is available. Large portions! Yea! This location is somewhat hidden so be careful driving.

Excellent food. Fresh and so tasty Service is ALWAYS the…read moretop. We love being a member also. Such a peaceful place to just hang and relay I am a cat lover and got to see three of the kitties

Met Chris at the verde canyon railroad. She was so nice and took time to explain the wind. Loved…read moreeverything I tasted. Especially the rosé as it was a warm day. Tasted the reds and they were amazing as well. Super nice and I would totally recommend stopping by and enjoying a bottle with friends at their location.

The service. THE WINE. The ambiance. Even the snack cheese box! Can't rave enough. We didn't make…read morereservations but had four adults and a baby and we got lucky to sit inside in the air conditioned tasting room. Seems popular and busy especially on weekends. All the wines tasted great, some more than the others. We ended up buying five bottles and have told everyone we know to make sure to visit! We'll be back very soon ... and thank you to the lovely wine staff for a nice birthday outing!

The vibes are IMMACULATE!!! All the ladies that work here are so kind and attentive. They always go…read moreabove and beyond. It's such a welcoming environment. I love this place! The wines are so good and the names are cute! Love that they had yummy charcuterie boards too!

We had the most amazing time! My wife and I are exhausted new parents and this place was exactly…read morewhat the doctor ordered. The owner is very funny and very sweet! 10 out of 10 will visit again! Try the macarons and the infused cherries

Interesting place, when you enter you walk through a hallway with a bunch of medals they have won,…read morethen there is a large bar in the center with friendly locals all enjoying their wine. Then there are several different rooms all decorated differently that you can venture into for a more private seating. We sat in the room with a giant ancient wooden door for a table. The bathroom was interesting as there was a bathtub still there, and it was full of corks. This place had obviously at one time been a private residence. We did the sampler to try everything and I found it was a good value. We even ended up purchasing a bottle of Wild Child. Service was extra friendly too. I would definitely come back here again if I am in the area.

This was my first time visiting, and I really enjoyed the wine here. When we walked in we were…read morewarmly greeted, we were told they had a few different rooms to sit in if we didn't want to sit at the bar. Each room had a unique decor and the bathroom had a bathtub full of corks. The vibe was very cozy, the service was excellent, our server took good care of us and was very knowledgeable about the wines we chose. We chose the "Have it all" sampler flight for $20+, all the wines were very tasty and had the right notes. We ended up buying a bottle of Wild Child red to bring home. This place was my favorite wine stop in AZ so far, all the wines are excellent and I can't wait to come back.