Wine & Mead Tasting, Distillery and Brewery Tour with Lunch

Route 66 tastes better with a designated driver. This seven-hour outing from Laughlin heads to Kingman for mead, wine, rum, vodka, craft beer, and lunch. I like the mix of small family-run producers and the behind-the-scenes distillery visit. You get more than a string of tastings: you see how drinks are made and meet the people behind them.

I also like the small group, capped at 12, plus hotel pickup, bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, and lunch in the price. The main drawback is the two hours spent on transportation, and the quality of the final lunch and brewery stop can vary by day. If you want a relaxed food-and-drink day beyond the casino floor, this is a strong choice. If you dislike alcohol tastings or long van rides, choose another outing.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Mead is the unusual first stop: Hive Five serves honey wine in modern flavors such as mango, black cherry vanilla, and chocolate-covered strawberry.
• Kingman’s wine is part of the tasting: You can sample up to four wines made from local grapes grown at Cella Winery and Vineyard.
• The distillery visit includes a working look behind the scenes: Desert Diamond produces rum and vodka near Kingman Airport.
• Lunch is included, but the restaurant changes: Depending on the day, you may eat at Sirens Cafe or Grand Canyon Brewery.
• The group stays small: A maximum of 12 people makes conversation with the guide easier than on a large coach tour.
• Pickup starts in Laughlin, not central Las Vegas: The listed meeting point is Laughlin, with additional pickup at The New Pioneer Hotel and Casino and Regency Casino.

From Laughlin to Kingman on a Seven-Hour Schedule

The day begins at 9:00 a.m. in Laughlin, Nevada. Pickup is available at the listed Laughlin meeting points, including The New Pioneer Hotel and Casino and Regency Casino. The activity returns to the same general meeting point at the end.

The drive matters here. About two hours of the day is set aside for transportation, so this is not a quick tasting walk from one bar to the next. You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water, while the guide provides conversation and local context along the way.

That extra driving is the tradeoff for reaching Kingman’s small producers. A group of no more than 12 gives the day a personal feel, and several people have singled out guides Michael, Wil, and Kevin for being friendly, organized, and good at answering questions. Guide quality can shape a full-day outing, and this experience appears to put real weight on the host’s role.

The trip is listed under Las Vegas, but the practical starting point is Laughlin. Check your hotel location carefully before paying. If you are staying in Las Vegas proper, do not assume that a Las Vegas hotel pickup is included.

Hive Five Meadery and Local Wine

The first tasting stop is Hive Five Meadery on Route 66. It is described as Mohave County’s first and only meadery, which gives this visit a clear sense of place. Mead is wine made with honey instead of grapes, and it can taste quite different from standard table wine.

Hive Five adds fruit and dessert-style ideas to the old drink. Possible samples include mango, black cherry vanilla, and chocolate-covered strawberry. You can also find cider and other drink options. This is the stop most likely to surprise you, especially if your usual tasting routine begins and ends with grape wine.

The program also includes up to four wines made by Cella Winery and Vineyard. Cella grows seven grape varieties across more than four acres in Kingman, and its wines are made locally in traditional oak barrels. That local focus is useful because you are tasting products tied to the high-desert community rather than a selection shipped in from a distant wine region.

I like the contrast here. Mead introduces a drink many people have never tried, while the wine tasting gives you a more familiar reference point. You can compare honey-based wine with locally grown grapes in the same stop.

There is one caution. One person found the wine and mead portion less impressive than the distillery visit, so this stop may depend heavily on your taste. If you prefer dry, classic wines, the sweeter flavored meads may not be your favorite. Go with curiosity rather than expecting a formal Napa-style tasting room.

The tasting lasts about 90 minutes, which gives enough time to sample several products without racing through them. Purchases may be available, and one account of the outing noted that many bottles and other options were reasonably priced. If you find something you like, ask about packing it safely for the ride home.

Desert Diamond Distillery Near Kingman Airport

Desert Diamond Distillery brings the most educational part of the day. It is described as Arizona’s oldest craft distillery, and the visit includes a behind-the-scenes look at how its spirits are made.

The focus is on hand-crafted rum and vodka, including flavored options such as agave rum. You can expect to see the distilling operation and learn about the process before tasting the finished products. This is not only a counter where someone pours a sample. The working facility gives the stop a practical connection between raw ingredients, barrels, production, and the drink in your glass.

The distillery is in an inconspicuous spot near the Kingman Airport, which is part of its appeal. You are visiting a small operation rather than a polished attraction built only for sightseeing. A family-run feel comes through in the way the visit is described, with plenty of room for questions.

The stop may include tastes of flavored olive oils and vinegars as well as the spirits. That makes it useful for people in your group who are interested in cooking as much as cocktails. Old oak barrel pieces may also be available for charcoal grilling or smoking, and small shot glasses have been given as souvenirs.

Desert Diamond is the stop I would place highest for anyone who likes production details. You can ask questions, see the barrels, and consider buying a small barrel of your own if that option is available during your visit. The purchase idea is fun, but remember that aging spirits takes patience. It is not an instant souvenir.

This stop lasts about an hour. Purchases can be wrapped in bubble wrap for a flight, which is a practical touch if you are heading home by air. Still, alcohol transport rules and airline requirements are your responsibility, so keep your receipts and check current baggage rules.

Lunch at Sirens Cafe or Grand Canyon Brewery

Lunch is included, and the restaurant depends on the day of the week. You may eat at Sirens Cafe, which has been recognized by Yelp among its top 100 places to eat, or at Grand Canyon Brewery.

Sirens Cafe is next to Black Bridge Brewery, making it possible to combine lunch and the beer stop without another long transfer. The food described from this option includes fresh sandwiches and salads, with lemon pasta salad mentioned as a particularly satisfying side. The menu is broad enough to suit different lunch preferences, though the supplied details do not specify every current dish.

Grand Canyon Brewery provides a different setting and keeps the meal connected to the drink-focused theme of the day. Since the exact restaurant is not guaranteed, I would treat the lunch as a welcome included meal rather than booking this tour for one specific restaurant.

The lunch period lasts about 90 minutes. That longer pause is useful after several tastings. You have time to eat, take a breather, and avoid turning the afternoon into a hurried sequence of samples.

Because alcoholic drinks are included throughout the day, eating a proper meal matters. I would not treat the included lunch as an afterthought. It is a practical part of pacing the experience.

Black Bridge Brewery and the Final Flight

The final tasting stop is Black Bridge Brewery, a small Kingman brewery known for recipes that go beyond basic beer styles. The visit lasts about an hour and includes beer tasting.

One account of the outing described a flight of six beers, giving a useful sense of the range you might encounter. The exact pours can change, but a flight format lets you compare several recipes rather than committing to one full glass after a day of tastings.

The brewery seems to suit people who enjoy trying unusual formulas and talking with local staff. It is not presented as a grand beer hall or a major production plant. Its appeal is the small-scale setting and the chance to sample what a local brewer is making now.

The brewery was not everyone’s favorite stop. One person enjoyed the distillery far more and found the brewery less compelling. That is fair warning for serious beer fans: the experience is designed as part of a mixed drinks tour, not as a dedicated beer pilgrimage.

The order of lunch and beer may vary with the restaurant arrangement. In one schedule, lunch at Sirens Cafe came before the brewery. Either way, having food near the end of the day helps balance the alcohol tastings and makes the final stop easier to enjoy.

What the $230 Price Covers

At $230 per person, this is not a cheap add-on excursion. The value comes from combining transportation, tastings, lunch, and guided visits in one day.

Your price includes:

• Pickup from the listed Laughlin meeting points
• Air-conditioned transportation
• Bottled water
• Alcoholic beverage tastings
• Lunch
• The distillery tour
• A small-group format capped at 12 people

Buying separate rides to Kingman, arranging a designated driver, paying for tastings, and finding lunch could add up quickly. The included transportation is especially useful because everyone in the group can taste without worrying about driving back.

The price makes less sense if you plan to drink very little, skip most tastings, or already have a car and only want to visit one producer. It also includes a fair amount of driving, so you are paying for convenience and access as much as for the drinks themselves.

I see the best value for couples and small groups staying in Laughlin who want a full day away from casinos. It is also useful for anyone who would rather let someone else manage the route and timing.

The Guides Make or Break the Day

The repeated praise for Michael and Wil is important. This itinerary involves driving, several tastings, a production tour, lunch coordination, and a return trip. A friendly guide who keeps the group moving without rushing it can make the whole day feel easy.

Michael has been described as organized, friendly, and good at answering questions. Wil is praised for his energy, local information, and effort to make the day special. One account even described him arranging an extra stop connected to postcards and plants, though you should not expect that as a standard part of the itinerary.

Kevin also received strong praise, particularly for the distillery portion. Since guides can vary by departure date, you cannot guarantee a particular person unless the operator confirms it. Still, the experience appears built around personal hosting rather than a recorded speech.

The small group helps. With 12 people or fewer, you have a better chance to ask about ingredients, production, and Kingman without shouting across a crowded bus.

Who Should Book This Experience?

I would recommend this tour to adults who enjoy trying local products and want a structured day from Laughlin. It suits couples, friends, and small groups who like food, drink, and conversation more than formal sightseeing.

It is a good fit if you want:

• A break from casinos and resort routines
• A Route 66 connection without planning your own drive
• Mead, wine, spirits, and beer in one outing
• A working distillery visit
• Lunch included in the day
• A small group rather than a large bus

I would be more cautious if you want a serious wine tour, a dedicated brewery tour, or a short excursion. The tasting quality varies by personal preference, and the two hours of transport take up a meaningful part of the day.

You should also be comfortable with alcohol-centered activities. The tour includes several tasting stops, so it is not ideal for anyone avoiding alcohol or looking for a general Kingman sightseeing trip.

Booking, Pickup, and Cancellation Details

Confirmation is provided when you book, and most people can take part. The tour is offered in English, uses mobile tickets, and is generally booked well ahead, with an average booking time of 59 days in advance.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants, so an operator cancellation could lead to another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Check the pickup point before booking. The listed start is Laughlin, Nevada, not a general Las Vegas hotel transfer.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you want an easy, social day tasting unusual Arizona drinks without driving. The strongest reasons are the Hive Five mead stop, the hands-on Desert Diamond Distillery visit, included lunch, and guides such as Michael and Wil who add local color.

Skip it if your priority is a polished wine estate, a major brewery, or a fast outing with very little road time. For the right audience, $230 buys a well-organized day with plenty of variety. Just arrive ready for a long ride, several tastings, and a lunch stop that may change with the schedule.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts in Laughlin, Nevada, at the listed meeting point. Additional pickup is available at The New Pioneer Hotel and Casino and Regency Casino.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours, including around two hours allocated to transportation.

What drinks are included?

The experience includes alcoholic beverages and tastings of mead, wine, spirits, and beer. The distillery focuses on rum and vodka, while the brewery serves craft beer.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included. Depending on the day, it may be served at Sirens Cafe or Grand Canyon Brewery.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.