Scenic Desert Wine Distillery Brewery Route 66 Tour

Arizona has vineyards. It also has rum. This small group tour from Kingman ties both surprises to Route 66, then adds a brewery, a local lunch, and the Arizona Route 66 Museum. I like the mix of tasting and place. You are not parked in one tasting room all day, and guides such as Mike, Sue, Brandon, and Bob have been praised for sharing local stories, desert facts, and Route 66 history.

I also like the relaxed pace and the included lunch, water, vehicle, tastings, fees, and taxes. The main drawback is the drive between stops and the tour’s somewhat flexible lineup. The published details name Cella Winery and Stetson Winery in one section, while the detailed route centers on Little Old Wine Drinkers Winery. The distillery is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so confirm exactly what is running on your date.

Key points before you book

• A Route 66 day with real local stops: The Arizona Route 66 Museum and Powerhouse Visitor Center add context before the tasting begins.
• Up to seven wine tastings: The route includes Arizona wine, with the winery pairing subject to the day’s schedule.
• A serious rum stop: Desert Diamond Distillery makes its spirits on-site and earned a 99 score for an 11-year barrel reserve rum at the 2023 IWSC awards.
• Lunch and beer are included: You get a meal and a brewery visit, though a customary gratuity may still be expected.
• Small groups matter: The maximum is 13 people, with a minimum of two required for the tour to operate.
• Plan for a long day: The experience lasts about five to six hours and begins at 8:00 a.m.

What the $159 price really buys you

At $159 per person, this is not simply a tasting flight with a ride attached. You are paying for a half-day route through several parts of Kingman, an air-conditioned vehicle, a driver, lunch, bottled water, wine and spirit samples, brewery access, and admission fees.

The value improves if you want variety. A self-guided day would require arranging transportation between a vineyard, a distillery near the airport, a downtown brewery, the museum, and lunch. If you plan to sample alcohol, having transportation is especially useful.

The price is less compelling if you only want wine. This is a mixed drink and history outing, not a focused wine education day. The wine portions may be modest, and one past booking found the first winery less impressive than the brewery and lunch stops. Set your expectations at local tasting route, not major wine country.

Tips are not included in the stated price. One past booking specifically noted paying gratuity for good service at lunch. Carry a little extra for that.

Starting with Route 66 in Kingman

The Arizona Route 66 Museum and Powerhouse Visitor Center give the day a useful opening. Route 66 can become a string of neon signs and old cars if you do not know the story behind it. The museum helps put Kingman into the larger road trip picture.

This is one of the strongest parts of the day for history fans. You get a look at the road’s importance before heading into the countryside, and the museum gives the rest of the outing a clear sense of place. The ride itself also matters. You will see desert country and mountain views instead of spending the whole morning downtown.

The start time is 8:00 a.m., so this is not a lazy late breakfast outing. The early departure makes sense because the route needs time for several stops, but you should be ready to go at the agreed pickup point. Pickup is offered, yet you must provide the location when booking. The tour is not available from Las Vegas, despite some older accounts describing a longer Las Vegas to Kingman day.

Little Old Wine Drinkers Winery and Arizona vines

Little Old Wine Drinkers Winery sits on six acres along Winery Row, just off historic Route 66. More than 4,000 vines grow here, and the setting gives you the unusual sight of a working vineyard in a dry part of Arizona.

The winery’s appeal is personal rather than polished. The owners are known for entertaining stories and an easy welcome. You can watch the basic earth to bottle idea make sense here, from the vines outside to the glass in front of you.

The tasting may include Pinot Grigio, Tempranillo, Rosé of Zinfandel, red blends, and the playful Pink Bikini, a grape and strawberry blend. The outdoor seating area faces the vines and mountains, making this a good place to slow down rather than rush through a sample list.

You get about 45 minutes here. That is enough for a tasting and a look around, but not enough for a long vineyard tour. If wine is your chief reason for booking, ask ahead which winery is scheduled. The tour information also names Cella Winery and Stetson Winery, so the exact wine stop may vary by date or operating conditions.

One practical point: this is not a region with dozens of cellar doors close together. The attraction is the surprise of wine in the desert and the people who make it work. Go for character, scenery, and conversation. Do not expect the scale or selection of California wine country.

Desert Diamond Distillery, Arizona rum with a serious side

Desert Diamond Distillery, often called D3, operates at Kingman Airport and has been family-owned since 2008. It is described as Arizona’s oldest craft distillery, and the production setup gives the stop more substance than a quick bar tasting.

Everything is fermented, distilled, aged, and bottled on-site using a German still. A 20 to 30 minute look at the production and barrel rooms helps you understand what is in the glass. The 11-year barrel reserve rum earned a near-perfect 99 score at the 2023 International Wine and Spirit Competition in London, ranking first in its rum category.

The tasting selection includes white rum, dark rum, and agave rum sweetened with agave nectar. You might also try corn whiskey moonshine, aged wheat whiskey, or the Rum and Rye collaboration. The vintage bar is a fun detail. It was rescued from the old Las Vegas Strip and is linked to the Rat Pack era.

This stop is particularly good for people who want to learn how spirits are made. It is less useful if you are only interested in wine. The distillery is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the tour may substitute a brewery visit when the distillery is unavailable. Confirm the plan before you pay, especially if D3 is your main reason for booking.

Black Bridge Brewery on Beale Street

Black Bridge Brewery, known locally as B3, opened in 2013 on historic Route 66’s Beale Street. The name refers to a railroad bridge that served as a local meeting spot from the 1960s onward. That small piece of local lore gives the brewery more personality than a generic tasting room.

You can sample from more than 20 craft beers, with year-round choices such as Evil Red IPA, Wicked Poison, Locomotive Stout, and Scorched Earth. The last is made with ghost pepper, so approach it with caution rather than bravery for its own sake. Seasonal choices can include Prickly Pear Pale Ale.

The setting includes a compact indoor bar and a larger backyard patio with a redwood stage. Live music is held most weekends, though the tour schedule and music calendar may not match. Non-drinkers can choose handcrafted ginger beer or cold-brew coffee.

Food is not made on-site, but nearby restaurants can deliver to the brewery. That matters because the tour includes lunch, yet the lunch location can change. In some arrangements, lunch has been served at another local food stop rather than at B3.

Sirens Cafe and a lunch worth slowing down for

Sirens Cafe and Custom Catering is a family-run downtown cafe operated by Carmella Hynes and Denise McMillan. It has a warm, home-style feel and a mermaid theme, with indoor seating and a patio beside the brewery.

The food is made from scratch. Expect artisan sandwiches and Euro-style paninis on fresh-baked Italian bread, along with homemade ricotta, artichoke spreads, locally sliced meats, daily specials, and homemade soups. The Curry Tito combines curry chicken salad with green apple, dried cranberries, and cashews. The La Rocco panini is another house favorite.

Carmella studied cooking in Florence, Italy, and the menu reflects that Italian influence without turning lunch into a formal affair. This is the sort of stop that gives the tour local texture. You are eating at a small family business rather than at a highway chain.

Lunch is included, but the location can change to provide the best available meal on your date. That flexibility is useful, though it means you should not treat Sirens as guaranteed. The tour details also say the cafe is open Monday through Friday, another reason to confirm the day’s plan.

Guides, group size, and the ride between stops

The guide can make or break a route like this. Past guide names connected with the tour include Mike, Sue, Brandon, and Bob. Their strengths have included local stories, desert plants, Route 66 background, and a calm pace.

Sue, in particular, has been praised for explaining the area and pointing out plants to avoid. Mike has been described as friendly and patient, with useful information about Kingman and the surrounding countryside. Bob has been appreciated for local lore and historical stories. Assignments can change, so book the tour for the route rather than a particular guide unless the operator confirms otherwise.

The group maximum is 13, and the tour requires at least two people. A small group makes conversation with the guide easier and keeps stops from feeling like a cattle call. One past booking found the vehicle a little small, so anyone who values extra room should keep that in mind.

The air-conditioned vehicle is important in Arizona. You will spend time on the road, and the ride is part of the sightseeing. Still, the route is compact enough to cover in about five to six hours from Kingman. The long-distance complaints in older accounts came from Las Vegas pickups, which are not part of the current offering.

Who will enjoy this Kingman tour most

I would choose this outing if you want several tastes of Arizona in one morning and afternoon: Route 66, desert scenery, local wine, rum, beer, and a made-from-scratch lunch.

It suits couples, families with adult children, and friends who want a social day without arranging a designated driver. It also works well for people staying in Kingman who want to see the countryside instead of spending the entire visit on the main road.

Wine experts may find the tastings too brief. People looking for a quiet museum morning may find the drink stops take up too much time. The tour also requires flexibility because the winery, distillery, and lunch schedule can change.

The tour is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The experience requires good weather, and the operator may cancel if the minimum number is not reached. In either case, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Scenic Desert Wine Distillery Brewery Route 66 Tour?

Book it if you value variety and local character more than a polished luxury tasting. The best parts are the desert vineyard, the unusually strong distillery story, the Route 66 museum, the included lunch, and guides who make the drive feel worthwhile.

Skip it if you want a serious wine seminar, a guaranteed distillery visit on Tuesday or Wednesday, or a tightly fixed restaurant menu. Before booking, confirm the exact winery, lunch location, and whether Desert Diamond Distillery will be open.

For $159, I think the package is fair for a small group that includes transportation, food, tastings, museum time, and several distinct stops. Just bring patience, a little money for gratuity, and an appetite for a long but interesting Arizona day.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $159 per person. Lunch, bottled water, transportation, wine and distillery samples, and all listed fees and taxes are included.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately five to six hours and begins at 8:00 a.m.

Where does the tour operate?

The tour operates from Kingman, Arizona. Pickup is offered, but you must provide your pickup location when booking. It is not available from Las Vegas.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 13 people and requires at least two participants to operate.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, although the location may change depending on which dining option provides the best experience on that date.

What drinks are included?

The tour includes wine tastings and distillery samples. It may include a brewery substitute when the distillery is unavailable. The wine portion can include up to seven tastings.

Is Desert Diamond Distillery open every day?

No. Desert Diamond Distillery is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Confirm the schedule if the distillery is important to you.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Is the tour accessible to everyone?

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions may lead to a date change or full refund.