The Windmill Winery - Weddings and Corporate Events, Florence AZ between Phoenix and Tucson

“Good Evening Vietnam” Wine Tasting a Success

Windmill Winery — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 23:37:54 +0000

The Windmill Winery and Arizona Wedding Venue would like to thank all of our wonderful guests for attending our August 6th Wine Tasting. We had a fabulous evening with our many friends and brides. Our historic reception barn was filled with the aroma of our savory meal of Asian/Vietnamese food. Our wine tasting offered a night of tasty wines and beers with an oriental focus. Some of the most popular were Oroya, a white wine made in Spain by a Japanese wine maker that is made especially for sushi. The Ozeki Sake was a nice accompaniment with the Asian menu. My personal favorite was the plum wine made by Kikkoman, the 300 year old company known for their soy sauce. The beer aficionados enjoyed Sappora from Japan, Yanjing from China and Singha from Thailand.

The Windmill wine tastings continue to become more popular each month with over 160 people in August. The winery welcomes its old friends such as Fi-Fi, John, Barbara Henry, Jennifer, Darrell, Sarah & Victor, Rusty & Lina whom have been with us since day one and we welcome our new guests such as Roxanne Hill from Arizona City. We’d like to thank Dee Patton from Casa Grande for bringing her group of ladies to attend yet another evening of fun. A shout out to Penny from The McKinsey Inn, a Bed & Breakfast in Eloy, Arizona, for making the trip over to The Windmill Winery and bringing her friends to share the experience.

It was wonderful to see Bride Sarah McDowell and Groom Richard Vitale. They have chosen the The Windmill Winery to host their Rustic Elegant Wedding Celebration in October. We look forward to helping make their classic wedding dream come true. Their photographer, Angelina Rose Photography, made the trip with them and she was awed by the venue’s beauty. A true compliment from one of Phoenix’s finest photographers.

It was a pleasure to see Bride Lauren Manning and her family. Lauren and Bryan are hosting their May Wedding at The Windmill. It was great fun to show everyone the new brick terrace complete with the oxen yoke — great for photos. We were honestly bursting with pride at the beautiful lush lawns and gardens of the Windmill Winery, compliments of Saul & Pifa. They have worked very hard this summer to create a beautiful property.

We were also excited to meet Matt Lewis, a reporter from The Coolidge Examiner. He is an old friend of my daughter’s from High School. It was great fun to see him interviewing Katie & Harold. The Windmill Winery has a knack for reacquainting old friends. The venue seems to have big welcoming arms that envelope you as you step on the grounds. It has a relaxing and comfortable feeling. Our past wedding guests have exclaimed, “This is the best destination wedding spot in Arizona…unlike any other”. So, please come visit us. We are perfect for Western Barn Weddings, Rustic Elegant Weddings, Vintage, Contemporary & Modern Weddings. The Windmill Winery will help make your wedding dream come true.

Please check out our website for upcoming events!!! The next Wine Tasting is September 10, 2010 — it’s a Tailgate Party so wear your team colors. Go team, go!

Cheers,
Jenny Williams
The Windmill Winery

September Bridal Open House

The Windmill Winery — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 22:37:28 +0000

The Rustlings of Autumn

Fall weddings in AZ are perfect and The Windmill Winery is a fabulous venue to host your Autumn wedding. The bridal cottage, ceremony arches and historical barn all play host to Fall grandeur. Come take a tour and spend time enjoying what we have to offer. Then start planning your Windmill Wedding!!!

Don’t delay-our Fall of 2011 is booking quickly. You can’t find a better venue in the Valley to host the most spectacular, relaxing and fun wedding. Vendors will be on site to help further your planning. Enjoy our cake and dinner tasting – the perfect start to planning your wedding at The Windmill Winery.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

3 – 7 pm

Make your reservations today!!!

You can make your reservations online or by calling 480.313.2303.

Flapjack the Donkey and the Best Man

Windmill Winery — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:11:29 +0000

It has always been hard for me to watch animals in our family age and die. I have learned valuable lessons of life from most animals I have been around. Mostly hard lessons like when a mule steps on your foot and won’t move, don’t kick him with your other foot to get him off or you will now have two very sore feet! I learned that one firsthand.

For many years I noted at the bottom of my resume that my wife and I raised French race horses. It always caused comments and questions from people wondering what French race horses were like. When I explained they were commonly known as “jacque-assays” (jackasses) most people still didn’t get it. Only when I told them they are better known as burros or donkeys did the light go on.

We have been privileged to raise three donkeys over the years here at the farm. Two of them have passed on and only Flapjack remains. We acquired him in a somewhat unusual way. I got a call from two aging movie stuntmen wanting to borrow $75. When I asked why, they said there were some guys out in the desert getting ready to barbecue a small donkey colt. You can guess, 35 years later Flapjack has the run of the Windmill property. We don’t pen him up as he is a wonderful watchman and never lets any stray dogs or coyotes hang around. As I watch Flapjack grow older I see him slowing down just as I notice I am doing. Not that I am looked at as the ass in the family by everyone…just my closest friends.

As we slog through another Arizona summer, we are enjoying the time we have with all of the creatures God has entrusted us to look after. When you are in the Florence area please stop in and spend some time with them, you will be amazed at how it will reinvigorate you in these trying times.

-Harold

Fresh Dishes and Fresh Ingredients

Windmill Winery — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:58:11 +0000

Food and wine, such a wonderful combination. The Windmill Winery property is really like finding a secret gem inside a treasure chest. On the property of the Windmill is a nursery, Florence Farms Nursery, that contains some wonderful hidden gems of it’s own. Many local and Phoenix area restaurants and Chefs have discovered us.

Through twitter we’ve discovered Food and Style. The site, run by Viviane, features elegant and delicious recipes that combine many of the vegetables and herbs our nursery produces. Even better, she recommends complementary wines to go with selected dishes. There are many great recipes, but we’ve included just a couple of our favorites.

Our top three picks:

1. Three-bean salad with heirloom tomatoes and fresh mint

2. Flash-sautéed cherry tomatoes with garlic scapes and chives

3. Cold Pasta with Tomato, Fresh Basil and Ricotta Salata (scroll down)

What’s your favorite?

August 6th Wine Tasting

Windmill Winery — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 23:38:05 +0000

The August sixth wine tasting is coming up quick. Be sure to beat the heat in our air conditioned barn, while Chef Hung Le prepares his signature Asian cuisine.

Click here for more information on our Beer & Wine tasting.

August Bridal Open House

The Windmill Winery — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 20:19:23 +0000

Alice in Wonderland

Come take a peak at the wonders of the Windmill Winery. Our rustic elegance will thrill you and your guests. Our Wedding venue is a perfect compliment to any theme. Take a tour with a representative to discuss your wedding plans. We will make your vision come true.

Enjoy dinner and cake tasting while you spend time with us. Vendors will be on site to discuss their services. Take a break from the summer heat and relax at The Windmill Winery. “Alice in Wonderland” will be the theme for this open house; we will be decorated with this theme-come get some ideas; don’t forget your camera, and be sure to sign up for our door prizes.

August 14, 2010 Saturday 2pm to 6 pm.

Please RSVP online or call 480.313.2303.

Wedding Day Tips

Windmill Winery — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:00:51 +0000

At the beginning of the month our friends over at Honu Studios came out for a visit. They shot a ton of video with Harold. Over the next few months we’ll be posting some of the clips from the video. The first clip is an interview that was done with Harold talking about tips for successful wedding day at The Windmill Winery. The great thing is these tips don’t just apply to the Windmill specifically, but can apply to any wedding day.

Catch and Release

Windmill Winery — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:19:42 +0000

After the early morning Skunk encounter, Cy the worlds best plant grower here at the nursery walked in and wanted us to come out and watch him feed the fish in the pond. About then a bus from Florence High School pulled up and off came twelve high schoolers who came to fish. They were part of Mr. Coppell’s PE class and he was treating them to a morning of fishing. Most of the students had never fished but were really into it. One of the girls caught a two pound bass on her second cast and proudly had her picture taken with it.

The Windmill Winery has two ponds at the farm, both are used to water the nursery plants and the Windmill garden areas. They are stocked with bass, bluegill, crappie and “Mr.26lb”, a twenty-six pound cat fish who has been caught once and returned to the pond waters to live a great life as the biggest fish in the pond.We have a lot of folks stopping buy to fish. We are a catch and release pond and just about anyone can catch a fish here.

Cha Cha Meets a Skunk

Windmill Winery — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 23:31:27 +0000

Our Border Collie/Australian Shepherd, “Cha Cha” the Windmill’s smartest dog [also our only dog], got “skunked” about 2:30 am this morning. She woke my wife because she wanted to get out of the house and was gone for a while. Then the Mrs. let her back in the house not realizing what she had been up to. I was sound asleep when a staggering odor woke me; of course the world’s smartest dog had tangled with Mr. Skunk. I made a quick visit to the all-night Circle K and bought a jar of Clamato Tomato Juice which I hoped would slow the smell down. So back to the farm I went after hearing great skunk stories from the store clerk and a few customers (I had no idea people went into a convenience market at 3:00 am). I knew I was approaching the farm as the odor was either on me or was traveling the neighborhood, or both.

After a good soaping with Dove, and a brisk hose down, I began to apply the Clamato. I have to admit I sipped some first just to make sure Cha Cha would enjoy it. Guess what — Cha Cha looks like she has gelled (spiked) hair and she has a pink tomato tinge to her white coat! Trust me, Border Collie farm dogs are not into the latest hair style!

So begins another exciting day at the farm…well, maybe stinky day is a better description!

Bridal Open House

The Windmill Winery — Mon, 24 May 2010 22:27:01 +0000

Looking for a beautiful venue for your wedding or next corporate event? Come stroll the grounds of The Windmill Winery.

Vendors will be on site for dinner tasting, cake tasting, and displays. Take a tour with a representative and plan your big day. The Windmill staff is available to help make your “Dream Wedding” come true.

We offer dynamite wedding packages with very reasonable prices. Come spend the day and see all The Windmill Winery has to offer to make your day relaxing, beautiful, and unforgettable.

Sunday, July 11th– 1:00 to 5:00 pm.

We’ll have a day of refreshing “Summer Fun.” Listen to fun summer music as you view our vendor displays. Summer Sizzlin Specials!!!

Don’t forget to sign up for our door prizes.

Please RSVP on line or call 480.313.2303
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