Pahrump - Nevada’s Up and Coming Wine Country!

by Jenney Sartin, Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce

When you think of “wine Country” you typically think of Napa Valley in California. Now think of the Napa Valley area 40 years ago when you look at Nevada’s own wine country in the Pahrump Valley. And recall there was a time when the question was how does California ever hope to compete with France? Fast forward to today, and no one is asking that question anymore.

The global wine industry generates $29 billion in annual revenue and is at a tipping point as societal and taste changes have poised the wine industry to bring us all new experiences and opportunities in wine tasting. But the best part is, you do not have to travel to France or Germany, or even to California to begin your wine adventure. How about trying some desert made wine? Specifically, Southern Nevada Wineries and wines produced in Nevada’s Mojave Desert, just 40 minutes from Las Vegas.

Of course, growing vines under the extreme conditions of the Mojave Desert is undoubtedly a huge challenge. And you might think it’s more a hobby than a real profit-seeking industry. But change happens, and change has come to Pahrump, NV, a small town, just 33 miles from Death Valley and 66 miles from Las Vegas. The climate is very dry, with hot temperatures averaging 100 F in summer. But here’s a very interesting fact, vines thrive on stress, and while the climate of the valley surely is unusual for winegrowing and winemaking, the low humidity and the amount of sun are very favorable for wine production. And if you select the right varietal and stay creative with it and ahead of the curve with new techniques, then there is an excellent chance of producing a real quality wine. And the Pahrump Valley wineries have done exactly that!

There are currently three wineries in Pahrump. Two long established, and a third which opened in March 2020. And each one has created a unique market niche and wine experience waiting for you to discover. Whether you seek award winning wines with a fine dining experience and ambience, the friendliness and fun of a locals favorite spot where friends gather to sip wonderful wines, eat perfectly paired foods and just relax and socialize, or you want the hands on wine-tasting educational experience and hear stories of the early adventures of making wine in the desert and enjoy a wonderful seasonal entertainment venue which joins musical talent and wine, all are a top notch experience guaranteed to bring you back to the Pahrump Valley time and time again.

We know you will agree we all love to drink wine. But in truth, how many of us actually understand the process behind it? Visiting a wine tasting room can be a great way to meet a winemaker and get the information to help you understand the complexities of making a fantastic glass of wine. And we are betting you have had that awkward moment when you felt a bit tongue-tied when facing a winemaker? Perhaps you felt you didn’t know enough about wine to ask an intelligent question.

But this is what the experience is all about. Pahrump Valley winery owners, winemakers and staff all work hard to bring guests a wonderful “wine country experience”, right here in Nevada. We encourage you to dive right in and ask the owners those questions that you might be surprised to learn they often enjoy answering, and you don’t have to find yourself tongue tied any longer when your favorite winemaker happens over. Just raise a glass…say “Cheers” and ask a way with confidence!

Enjoying a glass of wine is an experience that’s enriched through knowledge. Wherever you are on your wine journey, wine provides a pleasure which lifts our spirits and brings us closer together. But there’s more! Unlike most pleasures, wine comes with stories; about who made it, where it came from, its grapes and soil, and finally about its craftsmanship; indeed, about the art of wine making. Wine tasting is unusual in that is offers both a tasting experience, but when combined with asking questions, it provides us with a rich educational opportunity. Understanding this simple truth may transform you from ‘liking wine’ into “loving wine”. So, let’s begin this journey of discovery by looking to the deserts of Nevada.