Tucked within the six acres of trellises is a small but vibrant winery in Camp Verde, owned and operated by two brothers and their wives who have transformed a historic farm site into the vineyard of Salt Mine Wine.

Steps away from pecan groves, pastures and small farms, Chip and Kevin Norton, along with their wives, Kathy and Leann, have created a Shangri-la of sorts using sustainable winegrowing methods.

The couples, who separately visited Italy, were inspired by the smaller vineyards and the comfortable and personal atmosphere. “That really appealed to us, and we thought it would be nice to have something like that in Camp Verde where visitors can pull off the freeway, relax, meet other people and enjoy the environment,” said Chip.

Soon, Kevin was enrolled in classes at Yavapai College Southwest Wine Center in Clarkdale and the brothers planted a pilot project of wine grapes near the Verde River in Camp Verde. Through the next few years, they learned a lot about viticulture and enology.

In 2012, they bought farm property in Camp Verde and installed infrastructure and planted wine grapes. “In 2015, we produced our first limited production vintages of Arizona wine,” said Chip. “We bought Spanish and Italian grape varietals from vineyards in Willcox.”

The on-farm tasting room opened in 2018, and today the team is successfully growing nine Italian wine grape varietals. Family and friends help prune, harvest, crush and bottle the grapes.

“Salt Mine Wine is a jewel in the crown for Camp Verde,” said Verde Valley Wine Consortium President Paula Woosley. “Unassuming brothers Chip and Kevin produce some of the Verde Valley’s finest wines. Lean ing towards Italian varieties, their wines are all quality grapes grown here in the Verde Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA). Give the rosé a try. You won’t be disappointed.”

“Our number one concern is the environment,” said Kevin. “When we bought the land, the pasture was flood irrigated, so our goal was to reduce water consumption by half, which we have done. Also, we don’t use herbicides or pesticides. Our vineyard has actually turned into a sort of refuge for butterflies and wildlife.”

Kevin says the couples are “living the dream,” making wine and working in the vineyard. “It’s so beautiful here and we have a lot of friends that come and hang out here and help with pruning, harvest, bottling and events.”

“I’ve been coming since the first day they opened their tasting room,” said Mary Maloney of Camp Verde. “They are very lovely people, very hospitable and kind. I come for the wine, of course, but also the social aspect. I’m 80 years old and I need to stay socialized. I sit out here on their deck with people I never met before and have a wonderful time. Their wine is excellent; I love their reds.”

Chip and Kevin were born in Phoenix and, along with their brother, David, worked in the construction industry with their father for 35 years. “Our company was DL Norton General Contracting, and we worked throughout Arizona,” said Chip. “We did a lot of historical restoration and new construction work at the Grand Canyon.”

The brothers’ father and grandfather worked in the construction business. After World War II, they specialized in building schools in rural communities throughout the state, including Williams, Peach Springs, Tuba City, Chinle and Grand Canyon. Most are now on the National Register of Historic Places, said Chip. “Our family on my father’s side came to Payson in the late 1800s and our great-grandfather homesteaded in Star Valley.”

“It’s a hoot,” said Leann, who is married to Kevin. “We’ve made a lot of good friends here and working outside is so wonderful and something I’ve never done before. I was a teacher, so I didn’t get to spend as many hours outside and now I do. It’s just wonderful.”

“This was their (Chip and Kevin’s) idea but it turned out to be a lot of fun,” said Kathy, who is married to Chip. “There are people who visit from all over the world and it’s just a treat, plus we have friends who come. Last week, we had people visit from the Azores Islands, an autonomous region of Portugal. We’ve had visitors from Brazil, Australia, Iceland, it’s just fun and the local folks are great, too. It’s a connection with communities that we wouldn’t have had otherwise.” VVBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, VVBN

Salt Mine Wine is located at 536 W. Salt Mine Road in Camp Verde. Visiting hours are noon to 5 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, visit www.saltminewine.com or call 928-910-2075.

Photos by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: Surrounded by grape vines, Salt Mine Wine owners and brothers Kevin and Chip Norton enjoy growing grapes and making wine. “We are living the dream,” said Kevin.