More than a dozen Arizona potters, food trucks, wine and family activities set for Cornville vineyard gathering.

In mid-November, as the vines at D.A.Ranch turn amber and the high desert air grows crisp, the Verde Valley Pottery Festival returns to Cornville for a weekend that blends art, land, and community. From November 14–16, 2025, the festival will once again transform the historic vineyard into a celebration of clay and craft, bringing together more than a dozen potters, live demonstrations, food trucks, and estate-grown Arizona wine.

Set along Oak Creek on 100 acres of farmland shaded by cottonwoods, D.A.Ranch has long been more than a vineyard. Its stone walls, lawns, and deep design legacy have made it a natural gathering place for artists and families. Hosting the pottery festival here draws a direct line between two forces that define the Verde Valley: earth and vine. Guests can sip a glass of wine while watching clay take shape on a wheel just a few feet away.

“This festival is rooted in friendship, fire, and the handmade,” said Ceramist and Festival Founder Ben Roti. “For me, clay has always been about the connections between artists — learning from one another, supporting each other’s work, and sharing that energy with the community.”

What began in 2022 as Roti’s grassroots gathering in Camp Verde has since fired into something far larger than he first imagined. In just a few short years, the Verde Valley Pottery Festival has become one of Arizona’s most anticipated arts events — a weekend where makers, collectors, and curious first-timers converge under the bistro lights. After a brief rebrand in 2024, the festival now returns under its original name, renewed in spirit and sharpened in focus: to unite Arizona-connected potters with the community that sustains them.

“The beauty of this festival is the range of artists,” said Alexis Petznick, CEO of D.A.Ranch Vineyards. “You’ll see everything from functional, yet highly decorative mugs and bowls to experimental pieces that push people’s ideas about clay. It’s innovation and heritage, hand in hand. The best part is the way the art amplifies the magic of D.A.Ranch, with more than a dozen artists, live demos, food trucks, live music, and our wines poured just steps from the vines.”

Festival highlights include:

• First Pick Friday — Friday, Nov. 14, 4–6 p.m. ($25): Early access to shop the full show, with first choice of ceramic work. D.A.Ranch wines, food trucks, and beer from Verde Brewing Company. Live music by Ryan David Orr, setting the evening’s tone.

Nov. 15 & 16 (FREE):

• Artist Marketplace: More than a dozen potters from across Arizona and the Southwest. Handmade works ranging from sleek, functional mugs to sculptural pieces.

• Live Demonstrations: Wheel throwing, surface design, and alternative firing techniques. Artists working in real time, revealing the alchemy of earth and fire.

• Food & Drink: A rotating lineup of local food trucks including wood-fired pizza, a coffee truck, and beer by Verde Brewing Company. Estate-grown wines poured just steps from the vines.

• Family & Community Activities: Hands-on clay experiences for children and families. Creative and educational demonstrations that invite everyone to learn.

General admission on Saturday, Nov. 15 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.) and Sunday, Nov. 16 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.) is free, with free parking available onsite on a first-come, first-served basis.