Nestled in a secret location south east of Tucson, Leo Cox began building his dream vineyard in his late 60’s, alone and by hand. Mr. Cox is a Master Gardener, who’s single minded focus has produced some of the finest Merlot grapes grown anywhere in the world. What is extraordinary however, is the wine. Charron Vineyard handcrafts about 200 cases annually of White Merlot. This wine has the honeyed crispness of a premium chardonnay with the medium body of a red, its just fantastic! Mr. Cox prepares each case with custom labels and a note for its intended recipient. Thus, most of the wine is sold toprivate parties for use in weddings, birthdays, auctions and other events. However, there is a private mailing list for a lucky few. To get on the list, you must email Mr. Cox at the vineyard with your contact information and any special instructions. You will receive an email message back directly.

Tucson's Channel 12 visited this year during our annual grape harvest. The production appeared as part of their Sonoran Style program series. Please take a few minutes to view the video. Click to View.

Before the Vineyard
The intense pressure of a Nuclear Engineering career prevented my arrival into the Vineyard until the "eleventh" hour. Work assignments included my final assignment at Diablo Canyon on the bucolic beaches of central California to the Jungles of Papua, New Guinea to the Rioja Region of Spain.

Why start a vineyard?
Five years of living and working in Spain clearly defined my destiny as a 'Wine Grape Grower and Maker'. The old world 's craftsmanship and dedication to quality sealed my fate, I just had to have a Vineyard.

The most memorable time in the Vineyard is at the moment the buds burst with the revitalization of the Vines in the Spring. Naturally, there is some financial reward for the effort put forth but, to be able to walk through the Vineyard when it's in full leaf and experience the miracle of the anticipated fruit is the soul of my effort. The future holds great promise
for the Vineyard. More Vines are being planted to Merlot than initially anticipated. These plantings will increase the yield to approximately three hundred (300) cases by the year 2010.

Why Arizona?
The unique characteristics of the Arizona Soil assures the TERROIR that many seek but few find. With more than three hundred days of sunshine, plentiful water, Arizona clearly exceeds European standards for the production of a quality wine-growing environment.

The Dream
The chance discovery of this location was my fulfillment of an extensive ten year search covering all Western grape growing regions. This dream includes the continued expansion of the Vineyard.