A Toast to Arizona Farm Bureau’s 100 Years with Arizona Wine and Beer
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Published
11/8/2021
“As we give consideration to our past, we prepare for the future,” said Arizona Farm Bureau President Stefanie Smallhouse, a rancher in southern Arizona regarding Arizona Farm Bureau’s 100 years. “We have much to celebrate during Arizona Farm Bureau’s 100th Anniversary.”
As our Arizona agriculture farmers and ranchers celebrate the organization’s 100 years, we bring Arizona wine and beer to the celebration to commemorate this significant anniversary. During Arizona Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting during the Governor’s Reception and the Award’s Dinner on November 10th through the 12th, Centennial Red, a wine, will be served and so will a local beer, Cien.
Focusing on the future, President Smallhouse also notes expected changes. “Millennials, the largest living adult generation, are more focused on the nexus between food and the environment than any other previous generation. The nature of social media will continue to challenge our ability to inform the consumer but also give us a megaphone not seen in our past. Innovations in agriculture will face detractors but give us an opportunity to tell our story. Disruptive technology and products will cause us to adapt and pivot while improving our efficiencies.”
In the meantime, our Arizona wine and beer will be a capstone to our celebration on November 10th through 12th at the Arizona Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Glendale.
Centennial Red
Arizona Farm Bureau partnered with Yavapai Farm Bureau’s Michael Pierce and the students at the Southwest Wine Center of Yavapai College, where Pierce also serves as director, to create a wine specifically for Arizona Farm Bureau’s 100 years.
This 2019 vintage is a dry red blend of 6 red wine grapes showcasing a burst of dried black cherry notes, medium tannins and a delicious lingering finish. Pierce suggests one pair Centennial Red with “a beautifully marbled steak and Maytag blue cheese.”
Students at the Southwest Wine Center of Yavapai College have grown, produced, and bottled this red wine to commemorate 100 years of the Arizona Farmer Bureau. The red blend is from Tempranillo, Refosco, Carignan, Sangiovese, Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Says Pierce, “Cheers to the history and future of Arizona agriculture!”
To purchase the Centennial Red, you'll find it at the beautiful Tasting Room of the Southwest Wine Center at Yavapai College.
Cien Beer
Arizona Farm Bureau partnered with Old Ellsworth Brewing Company for this special Centennial beer, called Cien.
Says Old Ellsworth Brewing Company owner Brian, “Cien has all Arizona grains in it. We have grain from Sonagwa malt in Camp Verde and Queen Creek from Grain R&D. I would describe the beer as a California common style. We call it an Arizona steam beef. It’s a really old-style beer that’s really easy to drink. Super malt-forward, super flavorful and it has that nice coppery Arizona color.”
You can purchase Cien beer at Old Ellsworth Brewing Company. You can also find the beer at select Wine & More stores around the valley.
“We live and work by the cycle of the seasons in a loop of prepare, plant, steward and harvest,” said Arizona Farm Bureau President Stefanie Smallhouse. “We have good years and bad. While we are subject to both factors within and out of our control we know, Agriculture is essential to Arizona’s prosperity and Arizona Farm Bureau is the Voice of Agriculture. We empower members through grassroots advocacy, communication, and education and will continue this work for the next 100 years.”
To learn more, enjoy this latest segment on the KTAR Rosie on the House show where we feature Arizona wines. Our in-studio guest was Emil Molin with Cove Mesa. Plus, Brian from Old Ellsworth Brewery called in to talk about the Cien beer. The radio segment also discusses how students at the Southwest Wine Center diligently worked to create the perfect blend for the Centennial Red.