Nevada Distillery Serves Up Savory New Spirit

Churchill Vineyards, Nevada's only estate winery and first legal distillery, is set to release Churchill Vineyards Brandy—the state's first legally-distilled spirit—for retail purchases on Saturday, November 2. To celebrate the occasion, the winery is unveiling Nevada’s first and only brandy during an open house at its Fallon location on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. During the event, the public can purchase this landmark bottle of brandy while enjoying free tastings and a 20 percent case discount for wine purchased at this time.

Churchill Vineyards, owned and operated by 5th generation Nevadan Colby Frey and his wife, Ashley, have expanded their already successful winery business into the spirits market providing Nevada’s first and oldest legally commercial distilled spirit.

“This is a very exciting time for the expansion of our business,” Frey says. “We’ve been aging the brandy in premium French oak barrels for five years, allowing us to use the prestigious VSOP designation. Since 2006, we have been experimenting with our Nevada grapes, grains, and other Nevada-grown products to produce high quality spirits. With the passage of recent legislation, we are now able to sell our long-aged spirits.”

Frey handcrafted and distilled the brandy in small batches using the same grapes used to produce Churchill Vineyards’ esteemed wines. The quality of the brandy can be seen in the natural amber hue, characterizing the extraction of the oak and flavor from the French oak barrels.

“Wine and spirits have a well-documented place in the history of the old west,” Frey adds. “Coming from a long line of Nevada farmers, we’re excited to tap into Nevada’s history and bring to market a great product made from Nevada resources.”

Churchill Vineyards’ wine can be purchased at major retail outlets Whole Foods, Scolari’s Food and Drug Company, and Total Wine & More. The brandy is projected to hit retail stores around November 11. To stay up-to-date on the release, visit churchillvineyards.com or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/churchillvineyards.

Dayton Valley Days Delivers Family Fun

The 25th annual Dayton Valley Days, September 21-22, promises two days jam-packed with family fun, events, food, and a parade.

The event begins Saturday morning with a pancake breakfast, and allows attendees to visit various craft booths, vendors, and informational displays on the historic Pike Street. Visitors have a chance to explore a one-room schoolhouse and the historic firehouse/jail. 

The event features a show n' shine, which allows vehicles not only to be showcased in a classic show n' shine setting, but also to be driven in the parade. Participants have a range of cars including customs, classics, tuners, muscle cars, rods, antiques, sports cars, and trucks.

The parade promises floats, antique tractors, rescue and fire equipment, classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, marching groups, mounted horses, horse-drawn wagons, and many other parade participants.

After the parade, attendees can enjoy the salsa cook-off and chili competition. Profits from the chili tasting raises funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mason Valley and the Lyon County Shop-with-a-Sheriff program.

Children can enjoy bounce houses, an obstacle course, and a pet parade, which features dogs, cats, reptiles, birds and a few unconventional pets. Be sure to sign up your favorite pet and its human for the parade.

The event is loaded with local history, thanks to history groups such as the Battle Born Civil War Reenactors and the Historical Society of Dayton Valley. The Misfits, a local theater group, is performing at the community center Saturday, and offers a humorous look at the Dayton of yester-year through cowboy poetry, singing, jokes, and lots of input from the audience.

Railroad Days, which is now scheduled during Dayton Valley Days, is going to be on the corner of Old Town Dayton at U.S. 50 and Main Street, where the Historical Society of Dayton Valley will be showcasing the Carson and Colorado railroad depot that served Dayton for decades, a railroad car, and many other facets of their preservation work in the town.

Visit daytonvalleydays.org for a complete schedule of events.

The Range 702 in Las Vegas Aims to "Shoot Out Cancer"

The Range 702, Nevada's largest indoor shooting facility, is hosting an on-site shooting competition to "shoot out cancer” with proceeds benefiting Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada, a non-profit organization that provides support and services to families of children diagnosed with cancer.

On Friday, October 11, Shoot Out Cancer competitors will shoot a series of three firearms and will be scored on precision and accuracy by The Range 702’s Range Safety Officers, who are on-site during the competition.

The $120 event registration includes:
-45 rounds on a Glock, Springfeild XD, and AK47
-Eye/ear protection
-Targets
-Post-competition awards banquet with food and beverages

Participants are entered into Top Overall, Top Female, and Top First-time shooter categories for a chance to win a firearm (pending background check). A raffle is also held following the event for a chance to win experiences with event sponsors including Sky Combat Ace, and Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon.

“The Range 702 is excited to turn the sport of shooting and into a friendly competition to support the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation’s cause to assist families so that kids don’t have to fight cancer alone,” said Lianne Heck, Director of Marketing at The Range 702. “The Range 702’s staff are so determined to hit our goal of raising $30,000 by registering 250 participants, that they have all volunteered to let the Candlelighters kids shave their heads in celebration if we reach the goal!”

The Shoot Out Cancer competition takes place on Friday, October 11 from 7-9 p.m. at The Range 702, located at 4699 Dean Martin Drive in Las Vegas. For more information or to register for the Shoot Out Cancer event at The Range 702, visit www.candlelightersnv.com.