Ever wonder what it’s like to be a winemaker? It's all fun and games! :-)
But seriously, Sam Pillsbury is a master of his craft and his wine is lauded by some of the most respected experts in the industry.
Sam is a guy who works hard, plays hard, and loves what he does and the people around him... and that character shines through in his award winning wine. He surrounds himself with like-minded people to run the tasting rooms, help in the vineyard, and assist with the winemaking process... all equally passionate about what they are doing.
Here's some background material showing Sam's dedication to excellence:
Pillsbury's 1974 award winning, and critically acclaimed documentary on one of New Zealand's most famous artists, Ralph Hotere.
Pillsbury’s 1982 feature film debut ‘The Scarecrow’ became New Zealand’s first film to win an invitation to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival…
Pillsbury’s film directing career spanned more than three decades and included well known US feature films ‘Where The Red Fern Grows’, and ‘Free Willy 3’ among others...
Launched in 2006, The Pillsbury Wine Company earned a 93 from Iron Chef Mark Tarbell in the Arizona Republic…
‘One of the rising stars of the Southwest’ - The Wine Spectator…
Internationally known wine critic & author Jancis Robinson wrote about Pillsbury in her best selling book 'American Wine', saying "Stars of screen and rock music - filmmaker Sam Pillsbury, and heavy metal rocker Maynard James Keenan-have been lured to Verde Valley north of Phoenix, where the two make some of Arizona's finest wines and draw attention to the industry".
World-Renowned wine writer Hugh Johnson praised Pillsbury’s WildChild White in his ‘2014 Pocket Wine Book’ saying, "Sam Pillsbury makes excellent WildChild White"…
The Tasting Panel Magazine awarded Pillsbury 90 points for four of his wines including the Chardonnay 2012, WildChild White 2012, Symphony 2012, and Guns And Kisses Shiraz 2012…
‘Best Arizona Red Wine’ - 2014 Verde Valley Wine Symposium Winemaker's Challenge…
‘Best Arizona White Wine’ - 2014 Whole Foods 5th Annual Arizona Wine Awards…
The Wine Spectator awarded Pillsbury’s 2007 Petite Sirah an 89… (One of Arizona's highest ratings at the time)
‘Best Arizona Winery’ - Arizona Foothills Magazine…
‘Best Local Winemaker’ - Phoenix Magazine…
**SOME FUN CLIPS TO LEARN MORE:
SUNDANCE TV- TASTEMAKERS: sundance.tv/videos/tastemakers-sam-pillbury
NEW TIMES: blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bella/2013/05/sam_pillsbury_answers_the_ques.php
ABC TV - CHANNEL 15: abc15.com/dpp/lifestyle/sonoran_living/set-sail-with-pillsbury-wine-co
ABC TV - CHANNEL 15, SONORAN LIVING: youtube.com/watch?v=x1paOPDo5q0
BEST OF ARIZONA TV: youtu.be/ZnrQ_UyQe2Y
VERDE VALLEY WINE TRAIL: twitter.com/VVWineTrail/statuses/287216417680527363
THE WINE INQUIRER: youtube.com/watch?v=SOqdk6eXhxw
PILLSBURY WINE FESTIVAL CELEBRATION: youtu.be/RZCgqHG69rg
PILLSBURY WINE - A BIRDS-EYE VIEW!: youtu.be/Vxw5bYQJCTY
WINERY TOUR: youtube.com/watch?v=si2_KbBFs2U
THE WEEKLY WINE JOURNAL: youtube.com/watch?v=D3OuVPqAJJc
PILLSBURY VINEYARD TOUR: youtube.com/watch?v=-WLIx9z_D5w
PILLSBURY VINEYARD - DESERT TORTOISE: youtube.com/watch?v=8TYUh_0TKss
PHOENIX PUBLIC MARKET: facebook.com/video/video.php?v=778395272485
NEW ZEALAND ONLINE - SCREEN TALK INTERVIEW: youtube.com/watch?v=YXrk47Z_YVQ
NEW TIMES ARTICLES: phoenixnewtimes.com/search/results/keyword:Sam+Pillsbury/type:all/
WINE ENQUIRER (Cottonwood tasting room): youtube.com/watch?v=u3ljDz9Mfmc
CAROLINE DUNAWAY'S CHANNEL: youtu.be/W7s3liGKONc
COTTONWOOD TASTING ROOM, SOFT OPENING: youtube.com/watch?v=KtlNdNpdwck
PILLSBURY WINE IS ON "THE YOUTUBE" LOL: youtube.com/watch?v=0KrfCufa_Sk
NEW ZEALAND ON SCREEN - Hotere documentary: nzonscreen.com/title/ralph-hotere-1974
