Flying Leap Vineyards & Distillery sits on 40 acres of high desert grassland at 4,500 feet elevation in Elgin, Arizona, about an hour southeast of Tucson. Founded by Paul and Kief Manning in 2001, this family operation started as a vineyard but expanded into distilling in 2011 when they installed a German copper still. The property includes both the working vineyard and distillery in a rustic tasting room that captures the wide-open feel of southern Arizona’s wine country. You’ll find brandies made from their own grapes alongside traditional spirits in a setting that feels more like visiting friends than a formal distillery tour. The Mannings built this place from scratch on raw land, planting vines and constructing buildings while learning the craft of both winemaking and distilling. Paul handles much of the production side while Kief manages the business operations, and their hands-on approach shows in every aspect of the operation. The elevation and climate create unique aging conditions you won’t find in most distilleries, with dramatic temperature swings between desert days and cool nights.