“nevino”

Pahrump Valley Winery presents a vino that is truly Nevadan.

By NEVADA MAGAZINE | September/October 2008

Photo: PR (Pahrump Valley Winery dining room)

Don’t reach for your Italian or Spanish dictionary. Nevino isn’t a real word. But what better way to describe Nevada Ridge, a 2005 Zinfandel from Pahrump Valley Winery that they believe to be the first-ever estate bottled red wine produced in the Silver State. “We’re proud to produce a red wine from grapes grown solely in Nevada,” says Bill Loken, who owns the winery with his wife, Gretchen. “[The wine] is filled with bright, berry fruit complimented by hints of toast and almond flavors, crisp acidity, and structured tannin.”

The winery will produce about 1,200 bottles (100 cases) of Nevada Ridge. Each bottle is signed by Bill and Gretchen. The libation is $75 per bottle and is limited to two per customer. “It took 10 summers to grow [the grapes] before harvesting the first crop,” Gretchen says. “And another two years to age.”

Pahrump Valley Winery also offers Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Peak White, Symphony, Desert Blush, American Burgundy, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Crème Sherry, all produced from grapes grown in California and available at the winery gift shop, online, and at their gourmet eatery, Symphony’s Restaurant. A 2006 vintage follow-up estate wine is scheduled to be available later this year. The state’s oldest and largest winery, Pahrump Valley was opened in March 1990 and has been managed by the Lokens since 2003 and owned by them since 2005.