Did you know that Nevada has a wine industry? It may not be far from the sunny wine region of California, but the desert around Las Vegas probably isn’t what you think of when you think wine.
Well, think again. Within an hour’s drive from the Strip, there are three great wineries near Las Vegas. Go a bit farther and there are even more to choose from.
If you love wine and want to get a flavor of the local culture away from the bright lights and slots, a wine tasting day trip is a great way to get away.
Read on to learn more about four of the best wineries near Las Vegas.
Sanders Family Winery
Located in Pahrump Valley, the Sanders Family Winery was started by Bob Sanders. Sanders also started the first winery in Nevada, the Pahrump Valley Winery.
When you arrive at the Sanders Family Winery, you might be forgiven for thinking you teleported to Tuscany in Italy. The architecture and feel of this winery are reminiscent of the famous wine region in Italy. The vineyards flow around a beautiful Tuscan-style villa.
From Petite Sirah and Zinfandel grapes grown on the property, the Sanders Family Winery makes eight wines. These include five reds, a rose, and two white wines. They top the list off with a sparkling white, a sparkling rose, a sherry, and two ports.
The hosts are wonderful. A sommelier will walk you through a tasting of each wine you are interested in. The sommeliers are knowledgable and friendly. You can’t tour the vineyard, but the tasting room and experience are excellent.
If you head out to the Sanders Family Winery take your own lunch with you. It’s a great spot for relaxing over a picnic in the desert, surrounded by the gorgeous vines and vibes.
This entry on the list of wineries near Las Vegas is easy to get to for a day trip from the strip. If you head out in the late afternoon, you can also listen to a concert or watch a play after your tasting. The winery has a performance arts center on the property.
The Sanders Family Winery is located at 3780 E Kellogg Rd., Pahrump, NV. It’s open every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tasting is free.
Vegas Valley Winery
The Vegas Valley Winery is only 20 minutes from downtown Vegas. Since late 2017, when this winery opened, it’s been tempting visitors away from the Strip to sample its excellent wines.
This winery is surrounded by a distillery and craft beer brewers. If you’re into the local drinks scene, Vegas Valley Winery should definitely be on your list of things to do in Las Vegas.
Vegas Valley Winery doesn’t grow its own grapes. It brings them in from California and local Nevada vineyards. From these grapes, they produce five different wines.
There is a rose, two reds, and two whites. You can sample all five wines for $10. Just like at the Sanders Family Winery, there are knowledgable sommeliers at Vegas Valley. They will walk you through the tasting, offering guidance and answers to your questions.
The Vegas Valley Winery also offers food. Sample a cheese-and-meat platter or bite into a delicious pizza. Do not miss out on the cupcakes!
There are tours of the winemaking process available at Vegas Valley Winery. You’ll learn how they make their wines. You’ll also get more general background info on the wine-making process throughout history.
If you ever wanted to learn how to make your own wine, Vegas Valley Winery started their own school of wine, Grape Expectations!
Vegas Valley Winery is located at 7360 Eastgate Rd., Suite 123, Henderson, NV. It’s open for tasting and tours from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm; Saturdays, 12:00 pm to 10:00p pm; and Sundays, 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
The winery is close enough to the Strip that you can easily get back to carry on in the fun bars in Las Vegas.
Pahrump Valley Winery
The Pahrump Valley Winery is the oldest winery in Nevada. It opened in 1990. This winery has won more than 400 awards for its wines.
It’s located out in the desert about an hour outside of Las Vegas. There are free tours and wine tastings throughout the day.
At the moment, the winery produces about 10,000 cases of wine a year. They use their own grapes for about 30 percent of their production. The rest comes from California.
The tours are great at Pahrump Valley Winery. The knowledgable guide gives you a history of the winery and you learn all about the grape varieties they grow on their vineyards.
If you choose to do a tasting, you pick seven different wines from the list. Pahrump Valley offers red, whites, and dessert wines.
Once you have finished your tour and tasting, it’s worth stopping to eat at the Symphony Restaurant on site. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is casual and relaxed.
Pahrump Valley Winery is located at 3810 Winery Road, Pahrump, NV. It’s open every day. Tours start at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm.
Tastings are free.
Churchill Vineyards
Churchill Vineyards is located about seven hours from Las Vegas. So, it’s not a quick day trip. However, if you want to escape the bright lights for a couple of nights, it’s well worth heading up to the high desert to see what this unique Nevada winery is up to.
It’s unique because it’s the only Nevada winery producing a white wine from Nevada grapes alone.
The winery is really tapped into local environmental concerns. They have made it a major goal to help conserve water in the region. They have planted the land with grapes because it is a less water-draining crop than hay and grain.
If you make the trip, make sure to arrive on a Saturday. It’s the only day the winery is open to visitors. The hours are 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Churchill Vineyards is located at 1045 Dodge Lane, Fallon, NV.
Surprising Wineries Near Las Vegas
As you can see, there are some incredible local vineyards and wineries near Las Vegas. If you want to get a taste of local wines and learn a little history, too, put a winery visit on your to-do list when you’re in Vegas.
You’ll find a wine for every palette. And you won’t have to travel too far, either.
For more great tips on things to do, whether you’re on vacation or simply staying at home, check out our blog. We’ve got everything from recipes to ideas for when in quarantine.