CADUCEUS CELLARS Noon – APPS & DRINKS Jerome | caduceus.org Founded in 1876, Jerome, Arizona is a favorite day-trip destination for many due to its history as a former copper-mining town. Perched high on Cleopatra Hill, Jerome is now known for its restaurants, wineries and art galleries. Many come to visit the Caduceus Cellars tasting room, owned by Maynard James Keenan, Grammy-winning vocalist for the band Tool. Their wine is produced from grapes from vineyards located in the Verde Valley and Willcox, Arizona. My husband and I stopped in and shared a wine-tasting selection that featured three of the cellar’s white wines and one rosé. From crisp and fruity to buttery and full-bodied, it was difficult to pick a favorite and easy to see why the cellar’s walls are covered with awards. We especially liked that Caduceus paired the wines in the tasting flight with soundtracks — albums that were being played during the winemaking process. The staff was knowledgeable and approachable, making this spot ideal for both the occasional wine drinker and the enthusiast. The tasting room also offers food pairings, an espresso bar (a must try — it’s delicious), a wide selection of food products to pair with your favorite wine or spirit, and mixers to stock your bar. Caduceus turns 10 this month; stop in and celebrate with them. RED ROCK GELATO 3 p.m. – AFTERNOON SNACK Sedona | redrockgelato.com Red Rock Gelato provides a delightful taste of Italy in the heart of Sedona with their homemade gelato and vegan-friendly sorbetto (frozen fruit dessert). Each day, Red Rock makes their sweet treats in small batches using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, many of which are imported from Italy. They offer more than 20 flavors of their decadent creations and samples are encouraged, which was appreciated because everything looked so good it was hard to decide what to have. The four of us each ordered a different flavor in a cup: cioccolato (chocolate), doppio cioccolato (double-chocolate), menta al cioccolato (mint chocolate) and fragola sorbetto (strawberry). Each was incredibly rich and creamy. My favorite was the doppio cioccolato made with delicious Guittard dark chocolate decorated with dark chocolate chunks. We all also sampled their delicious signature flavor, strada rocciosa rossa , or red rocky road, in honor of the beautiful surroundings. Red Rock Gelato also offers espresso and fresh lemonade. I highly suggest eating outside to enjoy the beautiful view of the red rock mountains. HAUNTED HAMBURGER 1 p.m. – LUNCH Jerome | thehauntedhamburger.com During its mining heyday, Jerome was known as the “wickedest town in the West.” Jerome is now widely known as the largest ghost town in America. From ghostly sightings to midnight tours, spooky themes lurk around every corner. The Haunted Hamburger is known to have the best burgers in Jerome, but is it haunted? Located in an old building, legend has it that the restless spirits of long-gone tradesmen were responsible for many a scary occurrence when the restaurant was being built. We stopped in for lunch and were seated on the back patio. The view was great — we looked out on the town and mountains in the distance. My husband ordered the BBQ burger with crispy bacon, barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese and frizzled onions with a side of jalapeño coleslaw. I chose their signature Haunted Burger with bacon, cheddar and swiss cheese, mushrooms, green chilies, grilled onion and guacamole served with fries. Despite all the toppings, the burger was easy to eat because of their toasted house-baked buns. In addition to burgers, Haunted features a variety of appetizers and entrées, as well as local beer, wine and cocktails. Lisa Mullavey | Contributing Writer 44 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JULY 2019 KITCHEN DOORS {refreshments on the road }

Some of the best things about Arizona are its in-state road trips. Head a few hours by car in any direction, and you can explore many unique places. Often called one of the most beautiful places in America, Sedona is known for its red rocks and breathtaking views. After an afternoon of taking in the magnificent scenery, my parents, husband and I had worked up quite the appetite. We’d received a recommendation to try the family-owned Gerardo’s Italian Eatery. Having relocated three years earlier from Payson, Gerardo’s was voted Best Italian in Sedona by TripAdvisor in 2018. Chef Gerardo and his team focus on fresh, local ingredients as well as items sourced from Italy. They make all of their pastas, dough and sauces from scratch and offer a good selection of beer and wine (local and otherwise) and handcrafted cocktails. We started our meal with their homemade garlic bread and marinara and G’s chef board, featuring a selection of meats, cheeses, olives and crostini. For our entrées we had their lasagna ( vinici grassi ), eggplant parmigiana, Sicilian-style chicken parmigiana and the special of the day, chicken rollatini, served with gnocchi tossed in a parmesan cream sauce. Each dish was beautifully plated and the taste more than lived up to their Best Italian recognition. Their marinara sauce was especially good as it brought out the richness and robust flavor of the tomatoes. Gerardo’s is a warm yet casual setting ideal for family dinners, dates and special occasions. Sedona | gerardositaliankitchen.com Gerardo’s Italian Kitchen 6 p.m. – DINNER