So, this summer we are heading to Washington for the hot air balloon season, instead of Colorado Springs and I’m so excited for a change!! This is the reason, after all, that I love travel nursing so much, the almost constant change of scenery!! As luck would have it, our ballooning friends Jessica and Daniel [who we’ve become quite close with during our summers spent together in Colorado Springs] spend part of their winters in Las Vegas, NV. Guess what town is exactly on the way from Phoenix to our new Washington destination!? You guessed it.. Las Vegas, NV!!
After planning our stop to spend a few days in Vegas [on our way through] so we could hang out and catch up with Jessica and Daniel, I somehow came upon the first winery that ever opened in Vegas!! It is located in the Henderson “booze district” and it is actually still [to this day... I know, redundant but's it's so unbelievable!!] the only winery in Vegas. In order to tell you about the winery, I must first hit rewind and tell you a little about what came first, the winemaking school. You see, Nevada has a law that doesn’t allow a winery to operate in a county with more than 100,000 people. At this time, the Las Vegas population was around 546,743!!
To make a long story short, Charlie Peters and his wife Patty who are from New Jersey, moved to Las Vegas. Charlie and his friends started to experiment with winemaking in the shed in his backyard and upon learning about the winery law in the Las Vegas, they collectively used their connections. With the help of other local business and political leaders, they proposed a bill to the Nevada Legislator to amend the law to allow a winemaking school in the State of Nevada. In 2005, the law was amended and Grape Expectations School of Winemaking got its start.
The first harvest, using grapes from the California coast was in 2007. You could not only become a student, to learn how to crush, press, rack and bottle your own wine, you can also visit as a guest. Tours are available, in addition to wine tastings with limited food available. I am not quite sure how the change in legislation that allowed Charlie to open a wine making school translated into the Vegas Valley Winery but you won't hear me complain!! LOL!! The winery is located right next door to the school, and as you can see below... we were there!! [also, do not ask me how I came to have those scratches/scabs on my nose cause I have no idea!! LOL]
After we visited the winery, [among many other activities that only Vegas can offer] we agreed that it was pretty impressive!! At this time, I did not know the history of how the winery came into existence, or the fact that it was the only winery in Vegas, but I still have the wine souvenir wine glass. I think I like it so much, not only because when I look at it I mostly see a giant W for Wix!! [Haha] but the memories attached to it. I always think of our time spent with friends when I use it. Jessica and I even sometimes use our matching glasses to make a toast during FaceTime!!
If you’re heading through or vacationing in Vegas I highly recommend a visit the Vegas Valley Winery!! They are only 20 minutes from the neon lit strip of Las Vegas, "offering a unique experience that feels like your worlds away from the hustle and bustle". Check out their website for to see what activated they have scheduled… yoga, paint parties, sip & shop, and live music to name just a few. They are open seven days a week with no reservations needed for parties under of under 10 guests. Go make some Las Vegas memories of your own!!
Next week Wine with Wixy is continuing the journey to Washington. Our next wine stop will be in Idaho where I found one of the most fun tasting rooms I've ever visited!! Come on back to learn more about Split Rail Winery!!
Cheers to you my wine loving friends, and TTFN!!
Comments