Wine & Mead Tasting, Distillery and Brewery Tour with Lunch

Kingman’s drink scene is the star here. In one day, you can taste mead, wine, spirits, and craft beer, then sit down to a proper lunch before heading back to Laughlin. It is a good way to trade casino floors for Route 66 and small, family-run producers.

I like the small group size, capped at 12, and the fact that transportation, bottled water, tastings, and lunch are bundled into the $230 price. I also like the range: Hive Five offers unusual honey wines, Desert Diamond gives you a look at production, and Black Bridge brings the beer.

The main drawback is the long ride and the fixed schedule. About two hours are set aside for transportation, and not every stop will suit every palate. One published account found the distillery excellent but was less impressed by the wine and brewery portions.

Key points at a glance

• Route 66 flavor: Hive Five Meadery sits on historic Route 66 and offers mead made with honey rather than grapes.
• Four kinds of drinks: The day covers mead, wine, distilled spirits, and beer, with several samples at each stop.
• Behind-the-scenes distillery visit: Desert Diamond includes a tour of its production area, plus tastings of rum and vodka.
• Lunch is included: Depending on the day, you may eat at Sirens Cafe or Grand Canyon Brewery.
• Small-group transport: Pickup begins in Laughlin at 9:00 a.m. in an air-conditioned vehicle, with a maximum of 12 people.
• Good guide support: Wil and Michael are named as guides associated with especially strong days, while Kevin also receives praise for his hosting.

From Laughlin to Kingman for a day of local drinks

This is not a quick tasting-room stop. It is a full seven-hour outing from Laughlin, with the drive to Kingman taking up part of the day. That matters because you are paying for a complete excursion, not just a flight of drinks.

Pickup is available from the meeting point in Laughlin, including The New Pioneer Hotel and Casino and Regency Casino. The stated start time is 9:00 a.m., and the tour returns to the same meeting point.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and bottled water is provided. That sounds basic, but it is useful on a day when you are sampling alcohol and spending time on the road. You should still plan to take the day at an easy pace and treat the included transportation as one of the main benefits.

The group limit of 12 keeps this more personal than a large coach trip. Guides such as Wil and Michael are praised for answering questions, keeping conversation going, and adding information about the area. You may not receive the same guide every time, but the experience clearly depends in part on who is behind the wheel.

Hive Five Meadery and Cella Winery

The first stop introduces you to two different Arizona drinks in one place. Hive Five is described as Mohave County’s first and only meadery, so this is the stop with the most unusual tasting.

Mead is an old-style alcoholic drink made with honey. Hive Five gives it a modern turn with flavors such as mango, black cherry vanilla, and chocolate-covered strawberry. If your idea of wine begins and ends with grapes, this tasting may reset your expectations. Some meads can be sweet and fruit-forward, while others may feel closer to a traditional wine, so the variety is part of the fun.

You can also taste up to four wines from Cella Winery and Vineyard. The winery grows seven grape varieties on more than four acres in Kingman, with production in traditional oak barrels. That gives the stop a clear local angle: the wines are not simply brought in from a better-known wine region.

The tasting portion lasts about 90 minutes. That is generous enough to ask questions and compare styles without feeling rushed. You might want to note which meads and wines you prefer, since several products are available to buy.

This is also the stop most likely to divide opinion. The creative meads may be the highlight for someone who likes fruit-based drinks, while a person seeking classic dry wine may find the selection less exciting. One direct account described the wine and mead portion as only so-so, so do not book this trip expecting a polished Napa-style tasting room.

Desert Diamond Distillery near Kingman Airport

Desert Diamond is the most hands-on stop of the day. The distillery is described as Arizona’s oldest craft distillery and operates in an unassuming location near Kingman Airport. You get a behind-the-scenes tour rather than only a pour at a bar.

The focus is on hand-crafted rum and vodka, including award-winning products. The tasting can also include other spirits, with specific experiences mentioning rum, whiskey, bourbon, and agave rum. The exact selection may vary, but this is the place for stronger, more traditional pours.

What makes the visit useful is the chance to connect the drink with the process. You can see where spirits are made and take a look at the barrels used for aging. If you enjoy asking how a product is distilled, stored, or flavored, this is likely the most satisfying part of the day.

The distillery also offers flavored olive oils and vinegar. One account points out that old oak barrel pieces used in the aging process may be available for charcoal grilling or smoking. Small shot glasses have also been given as souvenirs, and purchases can be wrapped in bubble wrap for air travel.

That last detail is practical. If you find a bottle you want to take home, ask about packing it before you leave the distillery. Alcohol purchases are not listed as part of the tour price, so budget separately for anything you decide to buy.

A note for cautious drinkers: this is a tasting tour, not a nonalcoholic sightseeing trip. The distillery stop can be especially rewarding for people who enjoy spirits, but it may feel less appealing if you mainly prefer wine or beer.

Lunch at Sirens Cafe or Grand Canyon Brewery

Lunch is included, and the venue depends on the day. You may eat at Sirens Cafe, described as a popular local restaurant, or at Grand Canyon Brewery.

Sirens Cafe is next to Black Bridge Brewery, which makes the midday schedule convenient. Food mentioned in the direct accounts includes fresh sandwiches and salads, along with lemon pasta salad. The portions were described as filling, and the menu offered several sandwich and salad choices.

Grand Canyon Brewery gives lunch a beer-centered setting instead. The supplied details do not specify the exact menu there, so you should think of the restaurant as the alternate lunch location rather than expect a particular dish.

Having lunch included adds real value to the $230 cost. You are not left to find food between tastings, and the break gives you time to slow down after the first two stops. It also helps make the day feel like a local outing instead of a string of samples.

The trade-off is a lack of control. You cannot necessarily pick the lunch venue or arrange the timing yourself. If you have strict dietary needs, it would be wise to ask the tour provider before booking, since the available meal details are limited.

Black Bridge Brewery and the final tasting

Black Bridge Brewery closes the tasting portion with locally made beer. It is described as a microbrewery known for recipes that go beyond basic lager and ale formulas.

A beer flight may be available, with one direct account describing a sample of six beers. That is useful if you want to compare the brewery’s range rather than commit to one full pour. The selection can change, so treat six as an example rather than a guarantee.

The brewery is a good contrast to the earlier stops. Mead can be sweet and aromatic, wine can show the influence of grapes and oak, and spirits bring heat and concentration. Beer gives you a lighter, more varied finish, though one person found the brewery less appealing than the distillery.

This stop may be especially enjoyable if you like trying unusual beer recipes. If you prefer only familiar styles, ask what is being poured before ordering a full serving. The tour format should let you sample without making every choice a large one.

Because lunch may take place at Sirens Cafe beside the brewery, the order of these stops can vary. The important point is that you get both the meal and the brewery visit, even if the exact sequence changes.

What the $230 price really covers

At $230 per person, this is not a cheap tasting-room afternoon. The price makes more sense when you add up the transportation from Laughlin, the full-day timing, the guided distillery visit, alcohol samples, bottled water, and lunch.

You are also paying to avoid driving after tastings. That is a serious benefit. The driver handles the route between Laughlin and Kingman while you focus on the stops and the scenery along the way.

The value depends on your drinking interests. Someone who enjoys only one type of beverage may feel that part of the day is filler. Someone who likes to compare several categories, learn how drinks are made, and buy local products will get much more from the package.

The small group also helps. A maximum of 12 people allows the guide to answer questions and adjust the conversation more easily than on a large bus. There is no guarantee that every guide will have the same style, but named guides Wil and Michael are repeatedly praised for their organization, local information, and friendly approach. Kevin is also singled out as a strong host.

I would compare the price with the cost of arranging a private driver, meals, and separate tastings yourself. Once you account for safe transportation and the included lunch, the package is easier to justify. It is still best for people who plan to make the tastings the main event of the day.

The guide can shape the whole day

The strongest part of this experience may be the human element. Wil is credited with adding local stories, keeping the conversation lively, and making thoughtful adjustments for the group. One especially personal account describes him arranging an extra stop for postcards and plants after learning about the group’s interests.

That kind of flexibility should not be treated as a promised part of the schedule. It does show, however, how much a good guide can add to a small-group outing. Michael is also praised for being organized, friendly, and able to answer questions about the area and the drinks.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the details do not promise special accessibility arrangements, so contact the operator if you have mobility or other needs.

The guide also controls the pace. If you want long, technical explanations at every stop, say so. If you would rather keep the day light and social, the small group may allow that too.

Who should book this Kingman excursion

I would recommend this to you if you:

• Like tasting several kinds of alcohol in one day.
• Want a break from Laughlin casino activity.
• Enjoy family-run businesses and small producers.
• Prefer having a driver after drinking.
• Like learning how spirits are made.
• Want lunch and transportation included in one booking.
• Enjoy Route 66 connections and local stops rather than a major commercial attraction.

I would be more cautious if you do not drink, dislike sweet or fruit-based beverages, or want a tightly focused wine tour. This is not a specialist winery excursion. It is a broad introduction to Kingman’s mead, wine, spirits, beer, and food.

You should also be comfortable spending about seven hours on a group schedule. The ride is part of the deal, and the day will feel long if you want only a short tasting close to Laughlin.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and the tour requires a minimum number of participants. If the minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

My call on the Wine and Mead Tasting Tour

I would book this if I wanted a social, alcohol-focused day trip with safe transportation and a guide who can add local context. The distillery visit, unusual meads, included lunch, and small group make it more than a simple bar crawl.

I would not choose it for a refined wine holiday or a flexible food tour. The tasting quality may vary by your taste, the brewery may not be your favorite stop, and the long schedule leaves little room to wander independently.

For the right person, though, this is a smart break from Laughlin. Go expecting variety rather than perfection, ask questions at Desert Diamond, keep an open mind at Hive Five, and save room for the beer and lunch at the end.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins in Laughlin, Nevada, at 9:00 a.m. Pickup locations include The New Pioneer Hotel and Casino and Regency Casino.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the original meeting point in Laughlin.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours. About two hours are allocated to transportation.

What drinks are included?

Alcoholic beverages are included, with tastings of mead, wine, rum, vodka, and beer. The exact pours can vary by stop and day.

Is lunch included?

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

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience requires a minimum number of participants.