The Soul of Ranch & Wine Country

The Sonoita Inn was built in 1980 by Margaret Carmichael, co-owner of Secretariat — the thoroughbred who swept the Triple Crown in 1973. Originally constructed as a shopping complex called La Pradera ("the meadows"), the building was converted into the Inn we know and love in 1999. Photographs, press clippings, and racing programs from Secretariat's career are still on display in the lobby today.

The inn's 18 rooms are each named for a local ranching family whose roots in the area stretch back to the mid-1800s, their histories told in photographs and biographical accounts along the hallways. Scenic photography of the surrounding landscape, taken by local photographer Andrea Wystrach, can be found throughout the rooms and common areas — a fitting backdrop for a place that has always been as much about this corner of Southern Arizona as anything else.

A cozy dining area with a round wooden table, two wooden chairs, a vase with a sunflower and purple flowers, a bottle of red wine, two wine glasses, and a window with a scenic view of distant mountains and a dry landscape. There are two framed black-and-white photo collages on the beige wall to the left.

Born and raised in Sonoita, Mark Wystrach of Midland carries the region’s landscapes and traditions into his music. As part of the family behind The Sonoita Inn, his “Marlboro Man” video offers a glimpse into the rugged beauty and enduring character of Southern Arizona.

inspired by the land