Things in the Henderson Artisan Booze District are flowing, you might say.
The district was founded in spirit — soon to be in spirits — in 2011, when George Racz opened the Las Vegas Distillery in an industrial park on Eastgate Road, between Lake Mead Parkway and Warm Springs Road.
His operation couldn’t legally exist then, but Racz had a precedent. Charlie and Patty Peters had been in a similar situation when they founded Grape Expectations instructional winemaking elsewhere in Henderson in 2005; Charlie formulated legislation to enable the opening in 2007. He and Racz became friends, and with tips and a healthy dose of reality from Charlie, Racz wrote similar legislation in 2009 that would become law in 2013.
“He was my hero,” Racz said in a 2015 interview. “He pioneered his industry also.” By 2012, Grape Expectations had outgrown its space, and Racz encouraged the couple to locate near him. The Booze District was on its way.
Craft brewers would come and go, and CraftHaus Brewery, which opened in 2014, became an anchor. Vegas Valley Winery, a traditional winemaker sister to Grape Expectations, officially opened in 2018.
But this is Las Vegas, where bad beats are the only sure bet. Charlie Peters died nine days after relocating, leaving Patty and the small staff to take over. Racz died in 2018, followed by a two-year closure of his business. Vegas Valley Winery and Grape Expectations closed Aug. 31.
But the Booze District endures. Rob Saucier, who had been a client of Grape Expectations, purchased the Las Vegas Distillery in 2022 and relaunched it in 2024.
“The only thing that stayed the same is, we use the same stills,” which Racz had imported from Germany, tasting room and distribution territory manager Cody Fredrickson says. “We make everything here from scratch.”
That would be vodka, white rum, gin, coffee liqueur, and a straight bourbon whiskey. Distribution began late last year, and their spirits are now available in about 25 local restaurants and bars, plus 10 Lee’s Discount Liquors, Khoury’s Fine Wine & Spirits, and The Cask.
They have plans to get involved in more local events, such as First Friday. In the meantime, the distillery offers 45-minute tours Wednesdays through Sundays, for $25, half-off for locals. (Visit lasvegasdistillery.com).
The District’s wine operations have been reborn, too. “COVID really did a number on us,” Patty Peters says. “We had some longtime winemakers who said, ‘Hell, no,’ and they banded together and bought it.” Rebranding is in the works, and an anniversary party is planned for February 28. (Visit vegasvalleywinery.com).
Brewpubs have come and gone, the most recent opening being Neon Desert Brewing. CraftHaus has endured, having recently celebrated its 11th anniversary (and opening a second taproom in the Las Vegas Arts District).
Co-owner Wyndee Forrest said their distribution is up 13 percent, while the industry has been flat nationwide. They were asked to create a beer for Universal Horror Unleashed at Area 15, leading to the birth of Blood Moon Blonde. And they’re planning their 12th annual Comrade Day, celebrating their Comrade Russian Imperial Stout, a ticketed ($37), two-hour seated event with three seatings February 7. (Tickets at eventbrite.com; taproom details at crafthausbrewery.com).
