Water to Wine Tour - Verde River Kayaking Wine Tour - Self Guided

Rental

Duration: 2.5 hours

Sedona • Cottonwood • Camp Verde

Features

Kid Friendly

Wildlife

Instant Book

Shuttle Included

Locally Owned

$144 Participant - Weekday (Mon-Thurs)

(Includes $20 Wine Tasting Credit added on at time of booking. Price is the same for kids under 21 and for non wine drinkers)

$149 Participant - WEEKEND (Fri-Sun)

(A $20 Wine Tasting Credit will be added on at time of booking. Price is the same for kids under 21 and for non wine drinkers)

Description

Water to Wine Kayak Tour on the Verde River – Self-Guided Paddle + Alcantara Wine Tasting

Combine the fun of a ducky kayak trip on the Verde River with wine tasting at the Alcantara Vineyards!

The Water to Wine Experience begins with an approximately 1.5-hour self-guided inflatable kayak trip on a scenic stretch of the Verde River with just enough chutes and riffles to add a bit of excitement without ruffling any feathers. Your river trip ends in the shade of giant Cottonwood trees at the confluence of Oak Creek and the Verde River. Here you will take the gravel path up through the vineyards to the Tuscan farmhouse at the Alcantara Vineyards for your wine-tasting delight.

The Alcantara Vineyards is a favorite on the Verde Valley Wine Trail featuring award-winning wines and friendly sommeliers who guide you through the tasting. The Wine Tasting room inside the Tuscan Farmhouse overlooks the vineyards and the rolling hills beyond.

The Water to Wine Experience features great photo ops, fabulous scenery, abundant wildlife, and excellent wine. You even get a credit for purchasing wine or gift shop mementos. The Water to Wine Experience is truly an unforgettable adventure.

Trip Details

First, your Water to Wine Experience begins with meeting your professional shuttle guide at the Alcantara Vineyards. The shuttle guide will transport you up river for the paddle back to the vineyard, and will provide you with safety and paddling instructions. Next, your group will hop into kayaks on a gorgeous floating scenic stretch of the Verde River. It has just enough baby chutes and riffles to add a bit of excitement without ruffling any feathers.

Lastly, your river trip ends on a sandy beach. You will see a visible sign marking the end of the river experience underneath the shade of giant cottonwood trees at the confluence of Oak Creek and the Verde River. Here, you take the path up through the vineyards to the Tuscan farmhouse at Alcantara Vineyards for your outdoor wine tasting delight, which can last about an hour and a half (or longer if you want to stay!).

Highlights

Relax in your easy-to-use inflatable kayak as you float down the Verde River
Indulge yourself in an awesome wine tasting experience, served at your party’s private table of choice in the vineyard
Marvel at the scenic views throughout the river and vineyard
Savor the delicious food at Alcantara which pairs perfectly with the wine and expresses the unique flavor and character of the landscape
Includes $20 Wine Tasting Credit added on at time of booking.

Duration

About 2 to 2.5 hours

Location / Where to Meet

Alcantra Vineyards, Google maps link

Ages & Requirements

Ages 13+ for this activity, 21+ for wine tasting.

What's Included

$20 credit at Alcantara for wine tasting or food.
Kayak and paddle
Shuttle to the river put in
Orientation & instruction on e-biking and kayaking basics

Tandem kayaks are available to rent for an adult and child combination. They are not recommended for 2 adults due to the low water in the river - single kayaks will offer a more exciting adventure

Not Included

Water Bottles - we cannot provide or sell any plastic water bottles for use on public land.

What to Bring

Reusable water bottles, as we can not provide or sell any plastic water bottles for use on public land. We do have filtered water for refilling.
Clothing that is suitable for the weather conditions on the day of your tour. We recommend dressing for sun protection!
For E-biking, we recommend wearing anything that you're comfortable biking in.
For kayaking, we recommend wearing a swimsuit or moisture-wicking, synthetic layers that are UPF rated.
Change of clothing for after the river trip (you might be getting wet!).
Shoes or sandals that can get wet
Sunhat, sunglasses with straps, sunscreen
Plastic bag or dry bag for phones, cameras, and anything else you need to keep dry.
ID for wine tasting.

FAQs

Is there a weight limit?

We can accommodate almost all guests on this trip. All guests will be in their own stable, inflatable kayak. Our single kayaks have a maximum of 375 pounds, and our double kayaks have a maximum of 500 pounds, so guest over 375 pounds may paddle a double kayak on their own.

Is there a minimum number of guests required?

Four guests are required to run this tour - groups smaller than 4 will be combined. Trips with less than 4 participants are subject to no-cost rescheduling.

How big are the groups?

The maximum number of guests is 10, making for a small, intimate trip.

Will we have the opportunity to change clothes between activities?

Time is provided between activities for guests to change clothing or take a quick shower.

Where do we leave our belongings while we're on the river.

You'll be at Alcantra Vineyards, where you'll have the opportunity to change into river attire and leave any personal belongings in your car. Your driver will pick you up and drive you 15 minutes to the river launch site. You'll receive paddling instruction and river information from your driver, and then you'll float back to the vineyard where your belongings and car are located.

Can we bring our own food?

No outside food is to be brought into the wine-tasting area!

Why is the youth pricing the same when they can't drink wine?

The price is the same for adults, children, and those not participating in the wine tasting at the request of the vineyard; this is part of their land use fee for using their private beach as a river access point. Everyone gets a $20 credit to use at the winery for food, wine, or gifts.

What is the weather policy?

Trips depart rain or shine! That said, if we cancel any trip due to weather, mechanical failure, unsafe conditions, or insufficient reservations, a full refund will be provided.

Is there a kayaking guide?

No, the tour is self-guided. No experience is necessary for beginner-friendly float trip. Your shuttle guide will provide you with all the necessary instruction so you can just sit back and relax as you float down the river.

Are dogs allowed?

Unfortunately due to the permit requirements with the Forest Service and insurance policies, dogs are not allowed in the shuttle or watercrafts. Here are several resources for doggy daycare packages in the area:

Sedona Doggie Daycare 928-282-7387

Hillside Canine Resort 928-567-6304

ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY Verde Adventures

FAQs

Is there a weight limit for the Verde River kayak tour?

Yes, but we can accommodate most guests. Each participant will be paddling their own stable, inflatable kayak. Our single kayaks have a weight limit of 375 pounds. For guests over 375 pounds, we offer double kayaks (max weight 500 lbs), which can be paddled solo on this self-guided Verde River kayaking tour.

What’s the minimum group size for the kayak wine tour?

A minimum of four guests is required for the Water to Wine kayak tour to run. If your group is smaller, we’ll combine you with others. Trips with fewer than four participants may be rescheduled at no cost.

How many people are in each tour group?

Our kayak wine tour is intentionally kept small and intimate, with a max of 10 guests per group. That means more space, better views, and a chill vibe for your Verde River adventure.

Can I change clothes between kayaking and wine tasting?

Yes! After your Verde River kayak tour, you’ll have time to change into dry clothes or even take a quick shower before heading up to the Alcantara Vineyards wine tasting.

Where do we store our stuff during the tour?

You’ll meet at Alcantara Vineyards in Camp Verde, where you can change into your river gear and safely leave personal items in your vehicle. After your shuttle ride to the river launch, you’ll kayak the Verde River back to your car and the vineyard for wine tasting.

Can we bring our own food to Alcantara Vineyards?

No outside food is allowed in the tasting area, but Alcantara offers delicious food pairings that complement their wines — the perfect way to refuel after your kayak wine tour near Sedona.

Why is youth pricing the same if they don’t do the wine tasting?

Great question. The vineyard requires a land-use fee for all guests accessing their private beach for river exit. That’s why pricing for the Cottonwood kayak wine tour is the same for all participants. Each guest gets a $20 credit to use on food, gifts, or non-alcoholic options at the winery.

What happens if the weather’s bad?

This Verde River wine and paddle tour goes out rain or shine! That said, if we ever need to cancel due to weather, mechanical issues, river safety, or low bookings, you’ll get a full refund.

Is this a guided kayak tour?

Nope — this is a self-guided Verde River kayak tour, perfect for beginners. Your shuttle driver will give you all the gear and beta (instructions) you need before you float. No experience needed, just bring your stoke!

Can we bring our dog on the Verde River kayaking trip?

Unfortunately, no. Due to Forest Service permits and insurance rules, dogs aren’t allowed in the shuttles or kayaks on this tour. But there are great local doggie daycare options nearby:

Sedona Doggie Daycare: 928-282-7387
Hillside Canine Resort: 928-567-6304

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations prior to 48 hours before departure are subject to a $10 per person fee. Cancellations within 48 hours of departure are nonrefundable.

For reservations over 30 days and for group trips, cancellations or changes must be received by email 7 days prior to the departure.

Availability

April 2025

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa

Reviews

Location

Address

612 N Main St

Cottonwood, AZ, 86326

ASK THE LOCAL EXPERT

Reserve

✔️Easy, secure, instant booking

✔️No extra fees

✔️Book directly with top-rated outfitters

Improve this listing

Adventure

Discover 5,000+ handpicked human powered adventures.

Connect

Book directly with vetted local experts.

Average 4.8 ⭐️ across 185,000 reviews.

Protect

Every booking contributes to conservation.

Proud member of The Conservation Alliance and Leave No Trace.