You know what they say: It’s wine o’clock somewhere. So bust out the charcuterie board, butter some popcorn and crack open a bottle of wine (any varietal will do) because “Vintage Arizona: The Heart of Winemaking” is now streaming on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

A love letter to all things Arizona wine, the documentary was filmed in the heart of Arizona’s scenic wine country and tells the true stories of Arizona vintners as they navigate the highs and lows of winemaking in one of the most challenging viticultural environments in the world.

Despite a less-than-friendly climate for wine production, Arizona wine tourism has grown 500% since 2011, according to a study conducted by the Arizona Office of Tourism. And investing in Arizona winemaking and tourism with projects like “Vintage Arizona: The Heart of Winemaking” have been vital for keeping the industry alive.

“We were first exposed to the winemaking industry through the work we did with various California wineries and became curious as to what Arizona wine had to offer,” says Daniel Mendoza, a filmmaker at Amoroma Productions, the production studio behind the film.

“We had been looking for an engaging topic to dive into through our documentary film work and when the opportunity to highlight some of Arizona’s award-winning winemakers presented itself, we knew we had to act.”

While filming over three years, the film’s production crew became engulfed in Arizona’s emerging wine scene, seeing firsthand the effects that Arizona’s harsh climate and extreme temperatures have on the winemaking process.

At the backbone of the documentary are exclusive interviews with top vintners, vineyards and other industry experts in the state—all of whom share an enduring commitment to their craft and a deep-seated passion for Arizona’s rich wine history and diverse terroir.

Featured interviewees include—but are not limited to—Maynard James Keenan, founder and winemaker for Merkin Vineyards and Caduceus Cellars; Kent Callaghan, founder of Callaghan Vineyards; Emil Molin, owner of Cove Mesa Vineyard; and Keith Moore, winemaker at Mogollon Vineyards—all of whom won the Arizona Republic Wine Competition’s Best in Class category in 2022, when filming first started.

“We wanted to showcase the beautiful landscapes and artisanal passion that thrive right here in our own state,” says Kellie Mendoza, a filmmaker at Amoroma Productions. “Through this documentary film, our goal is to celebrate the many facets of Arizona’s vibrant wine industry. Ultimately, we want to help put Arizona wine on the world map and encourage wine enthusiasts everywhere to taste what our great state has to offer.”