Pahrump Valley Winery [May 2020]

Here we are again, slipping through Las Vegas as we’re headed outta Phoenix for the Summer. Our trip just wouldn’t be complete without stopping to spend a few days with our good friends Jessica and Daniel!! You met them back when we were all in Colorado Springs for the summer, and we’ve stopped to see them in Las Vegas before. Well, they are flying out closer to the Pahrump, NV and it’s such a cute little town!! The first time we all drove out to Pahrump, [from Las Vegas] we were actually going to take a balloon flight!! Needless to say, we couldn't help but notice the winery!!! Haha!!

In 1989, groundbreaking for the 1.5 million dollar vinyard got started. The Pahrump Valley Winery opened the very next year [1990] by longtime Pahrump resident, Jack Sanders. He owned and operated the winery until he sold it to Gretchen and Bill Loken in 2003, a little bit worse for wear. The Lokens moved to Pahrump from Arizona, where Gretchen was a special needs teacher and Bill was in real estate. You see, Bill’s brother had purchased the vineyard and the land adjacent to the winery, to build and RV Resort. Unsure of what to do with the winery, he hired Bill and Gretchen to run and manage the winery. Bill and Gretchen later purchased the vineyard outright around 2005.

The winery was in desperate need of some TLC, and I’m sure you can imagine that this type of upkeep and maintenance does not come cheap. The Loken’s immediately started renovations for the restaurant, this is where Bill had some experience. Otherwise, neither Bill nor Gretchen knew a thing about wine. They were not even wine drinkers at this time!! Bill liked the idea of starting a new adventure and Gretchen had the mind set that “you don’t know what you don’t know.” They also started slowly working on the grounds, creating the tasting room and production areas.

There had been no wine production at the winery prior to, with no barrels, and no equipment. Bill and Gretchen sunk a lot of money into getting the winery up and producing. When we stopped in to check things out, they were not open to the public. They were still waiting to get approval for their alcohol license, and I think Covid [and covid restrictions] may have played a part in all of this as well. By the time we stopped back in to visit with Jessica and Daniel [in September 2020] on our way through, heading back to Phoenix, they had things all sorted out!! We actually stayed at the adjacent campground that I mentioned Bill's brother opened, right next to the Winery!!

It didn't take long for the Pahrump Valley Winery to become one of Nevada’s largest wine producers. They offered guided tours and a place to plan events, such as: birthday parties, weddings, family reunions, or a place to stop along your travels for a lovely wine picnic!! They had the annual Grape Stomp happening every October and plenty of live music dates on the calendar. Speaking of music.. does anyone else hear the little drummer boy tune when I say Pahrump? Like... Pahrump pum pum pum!? Sorry, just every time I say Pahrump, it plays in my head!! Hahaha!!

Gretchen says the winery visitors usually fall into one of three categories. A third are visiting Las Vegas and want a change of scenery and to taste some great wine. A third are Las Vegas residents who bring their visitors out to the country for a day away from the city, and of course to drink good wine. The final third are Pahrump residents and visitors who may be in town to participate in other events. [who want to drink good wine.. LOL] I think we fall into all the categories!! Haha!! We had some friends stop in for a few days, Al Lescarbeau [anther hot air balloon pilot] and his wife Terry. We all took the wine tour together, [as seen below] and we had such a wonderful time.

As of January 2023, the winery was listed as temporality closed. Rumor had it that it was a planned rebranding, restructuring after getting in too deep and filing for bankruptcy. The new owner, Ernest Moody was able to obtain the necessary licenses and reopened the doors in September 2024. The winery is making a comeback and is now known as the Charleston Peak Winery!!

The beautiful Wine Ridge RV Resort [where we were staying] has been in operation through all of the winery renovations. Jessica and I had such an amazing time [as we always do] hanging out by the pool, drinking wine, and enjoying the mountain views!!

Next week, Wine with Wixy is in Washington, and we will be heading to the "next county over" to participate in one of the first post-covid in person wine tastings!!

Cheers to you my wine loving friends, and TTFN!!