Ensign drops by Tahoe Ridge Winery

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., visited Tahoe Ridge Winery last Thursday to learn more about Nevada's agritourism industry, specifically grape growing and wine production in Nevada.

Tahoe Ridge Winery made a name for itself by producing the first commercial wine made from Nevada-grown grapes, and they have been leading the way in the Nevada grape growing industry.

During Ensign's visit, he had the opportunity to meet with Tahoe Ridge Winery's founding owner and winemaker, Rick Halbardier, to discuss Tahoe Ridge Winery and what they are doing to promote agriculture and agritourism in Nevada.

"After 20 Years of developing the Nevada wine and grape growing industry, Tahoe Ridge Winery is now ready to open the curtains and let the rest of the world begin to see what we have worked so hard to develop," said Halbardier.

In addition to becoming educated on the grape growing and wine industry in Nevada, Ensign was given a full tour of the Tahoe Ridge Winery production facility; going on an outing to Buffalo Creek Ranch, a growing partner with Tahoe Ridge Winery and the location of one of the Nevada vineyards; and enjoying a meal at the Tahoe Ridge Winery, Marketplace and Bistro.

Tahoe Ridge Winery has been breaking ground in grape growing in Nevada since 1990. In 2001, Tahoe Ridge started producing wines commercially, and shortly after, they harvested and crushed the first commercial wine made completely of Nevada grown grapes.

Tahoe Ridge Winery is the oldest continuously owned and operated winery and grape growing company in the state of Nevada. Tahoe Ridge Winery, Marketplace and Bistro is located at 1644 Highway 395 in Minden, across the street from the Carson Valley Inn.