Denise Purvis

Denise is a 5th generation Southern Arizonian. She is the descendant of two pioneering families who trace their covered wagon entry into Arizona in the 1870s. Her father’s side settled in the Sonoita/Elgin valley, loving the grassland for their cattle. Her mother’s side settled in the mountains about 60 miles west of Sonoita, mostly because the wheel fell off their wagon but they fell in love with Arizona and decided to stay. Denise graduated from Patagonia High School and went on to the University of Arizona and graduated in 1991 with a degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Illustration. Art has always been a part of her world. To date she has painted over 125 wall murals all over Southern Arizona.

Going back to her roots, Denise was brought up with the farm-to-fork mentality. She started a U-Pick organic garden with her sisters at her farm in Sonoita in 2011. She raises poultry, dairy cows, and organic seasonal vegetables. Also, having food as a big part of her upbringing, she started a catering business featuring farm-to-fork favorites. A lot of her recipes are from her two grandmothers who were both wonderful cooks. Denise and her husband Gordon have been married for 35 years and raised four sons. She also has a lot of patriots in her family. Her father was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army, her husband Gordon is a Navy Veteran, and her oldest son was in the Army National Guard completing a tour through Afghanistan in 2013. Her youngest son is currently active duty in the Army.

In her spare time you will usually find Denise making all varieties of cheese from the milk she gets from her dairy cows. She also loves running and competing in 5Ks, and riding her horses. Denise is very involved with the local 4H club as a project leader and was nominated as 4H volunteer of the year in 2019. Denise loves helping others and staying busy.