Patagonia is essential to this story because it is where we came together in 2017. A couple of years went by and — craving some adventure — we moved to Galicia, Spain; Emmett to make wine & Lily to teach English to tiny Spaniards. One day after an especially fun lunch that included multiple courses and homemade wine served in a plastic water bottle, inspiration struck. We hatched a little dream that was meant to take time, one we thought would evolve over many years of pondering, wandering, and exploration. A dream of good wine, good friends, good food unfolding in a cozy, unpretentious space.

When the pandemic hit in March 2020, following a hasty escape from Spain & a warm welcome back to Patagonia, we accidentally began to actualize this dream. Perhaps sooner than we would have hoped. Perhaps a little scrappier than we would have liked. Still, with the help of some of the most amazing friends in the world (here’s looking at you K&B), we built out the space, made our first vintage of wine, and asked about 5 million questions to those wiser than us in the process. In July 2022, Queen of Cups opened its doors.

We’re a winery that focuses on low-intervention wines from local grapes located both in Arizona and Sonora. With an emphasis on a sense of place, Queen of Cups hopes to represent the rugged magic of the deserts of Arizona & Northern Mexico by creating wines that are equally elegant and succulent. These wines upon first taste are a little more subtle, but when you start to pay attention are so beautiful you can’t believe you never noticed it before. Similar to the grasslands flecked with pronghorn. Or the datura flower at dawn.

With reusable bottles, crown caps and decorative hang-tag labels, there is a lot that is unconventional about the way we do things. Where will we go? Your guess is as good as ours. Be sure that wherever we go and whatever it is we do, there will be a whole lot of love that goes into it. In the meantime, we’re glad you’re here. We hope you enjoy a glass of wine or two on this adventure with us.

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