The first inhabitants of this region were the Tohono O'odham (Indians). With the arrival of the Spanish missionaries their lifestyle was changed and they were scattered throughout the region. The earliest settlers arrived in this area in the 1830's due to its vast ranching and mining potential. In 1882 the community of Sonoita was established along the new New Mexico & Arizona Railroad from Benson to Nogales. Sonoita is located along highways 82 and 83 at an elevation of about 5,000-ft in high desert grassland and rolling hills. In the late 1970's a soil scientist from the University of Arizona discovered that the soils in the Sonoita area are similar to those in the Burgundy Region of France and the fist vineyard was established. Today, there are about a dozen vineyards in the region at elevations between 4,500 and 5,000-ft, producing wines on a par with anything produced in Nappa Valley. Some wealthy Arizonans have built their vacation and retirement homes as well as established ranches here. . This picture was taken on 12 November 2017, Sig...