For wine connoisseurs and wine lovers, a visit to wine valleys and vineyards is a must. If your knowledge and experience of wine regions are confined to Sonoma, Napa and the wine regions of California, then you’re sorely missing something great.
Livermore Valley Wine Country, which is situated 30 miles east of San Francisco is a quaint haven to some of the finest wine manufacturers in the country. Home to over 40 world-class wineries, Livermore Valley is recognized as the very first wine region to put United States on the international wine map, dating as far back as 1889.
But beyond superior quality wines that continually flow in this region, people from every corner of the world are effortlessly drawn to its rustic, old world charm. At Livermore Valley, memories of your visit will no doubt be more than just about the great wines, it is also about the lifestyle. The hospitality and warmth of the people never fails to leave a lingering impression to visitors.
Everyone here loves swapping personal anecdotes and stories over good food and of course, superior quality wine. Most visitors are captivated by the sheer beauty and timeless allure of the place and its inhabitants, the wines are just a bonus.
At Livermore Valley, there is always a wonderful reason to celebrate. This year marked several important milestones. Among the main highlights include the 80th birthday of Jim Concannon of Concannon Vineyard and the 50th Anniversary of Petite Sirah having been bottled as a varietal wine, also a product of Concannon Vineyard.
This year also commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Harvest Wine Festival, which is scheduled to take place every September every year. This festival is part of the California Wine Month, which is a major event that is definitely worth a visit.
Wine tours include a shuttle bus ride to different wineries all throughout the region. Without having to contend with city traffic and a driver to take you around landmarks and wineries, you can simply sit back and soak in the unfettered splendor of the land and its sceneries. If you prefer to avoid the tourist crowd, Monday is the ideal time to visit, where you will not only meet the winemakers, but also get to spend some valuable time with them.
To give you a sneak peek of what’s in store for you for this year’s Livermore Valley Harvest Festival, here are some of the event highlights:
Concannon Vineyard
The place is famous for its warm and inviting countryside appeal. Get to experience Concannon Vineyard at its finest. The property has been recently infused with $ 30 million revitalization project. The strategic makeover is easily evident from their stunning new label design down to their state of the art Underdog Wine Bar – a certified sustainable and organic winery.
Visitors will find widely renowned winemakers John and Jim Concannon and their Director of Hospitality, Jim Ryan refreshingly down to earth. In fact, guests can look forward to enjoying a lighthearted chat over a glass of wine with them.
As soon as you set foot on the property, you will no doubt be drawn towards their outdoor wine bar and restaurant. In fact, some guests prefer to skip the rest of the wine tour and simply ask for a bottle of fine wine and spend the rest of the day here at this breathtaking winery.
Concannon Wine Tasting Recommendations:
• Conservancy Cabernet Sauvignon
• Conservancy Crimson & Clover
• Selected Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
• Reserve Assemblage Red Wine
• Limited Release Tempranillo
• Captain Joe’s Petite Sirah
• Reserve Viognier
Also served at their outdoor wine bar is the Darcie Kent, which is a limited production, craft wine that is a definite must for wine lovers. Your visit won’t be complete without the taste of their premium wines such as the Zinfandel, the Madden Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon and the Gruner Veltliner Rava Blackjack.
Wente Vineyards
The first of two locations houses their main tasting room and the second one showcases their magnificent property that boasts a Greg Normal golf course, an award-winning restaurant and a second tasting room. Guests are also regaled with an outdoor tabletop concert area, beautifully set off by an organic garden and several caves.
Meet Carolyn Wente, the CEO of the Wente Vineyards. She occasionally personally conducts vineyard tours, regaling guests on the rich, vibrant history of Wente as well as the latest additions to the property.
Finish off your tour with a delicious lunch served at their stylish and welcoming restaurant. Wente maintains is own organic garden, which means daily menu are regularly changed based on the available produce of the day. You can wine and dine on their outdoor seating area that allows you to enjoy the striking view of the clear blue skies in contrast with the lush winery – simply spectacular.
When visiting Wente, be sure to check out their concert calendar. Their outdoor concerts definitely guarantee an unforgettable visit. Some of the featured artists include The Beach Boys, Tears for Fears, Diana Ross and Chris Isaak.
Wente Wine Tasting Recommendations:
• Murietta’s Well Red Meritage
• Tamas Double Decker Red
• Nth Degree Wines
• Reliz Creek Pinot Noir
• Morning Fog Chardonnay
• Charles Wetmore Cabernet Sauvignon
• Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc
Thomas Coyne Winery
Here at Thomas Coyne Winery, the vineyards are surrounded by the awe-inspiring view of the mountains, rustic barns and historic buildings – making you feel like you’re being transported to a magical place. Thomas Coyne started winemaking way back in 1989, manufacturing wines under his own label. In 1994, he reopened the old classic “Chateau Bellevue Winery”, which was originally built by a Frenchman, Alexander Duvall in 1881.
When touring the property, you can easily spot Tom with his distinguishable Penn State hat. The wines produced under the Thomas Coyne label have consistently won local, regional as well as state awards.
Thomas Coyne Wine Tasting Recommendations:
• Merlot
• Petite Sirah
• Mourvedre
• Syrah, Grenache
• Viognier
• Pinot Blanc
• Quest, a Rhone Blend
• Confluence, a Bordeaux Blend
When visiting the place, it is highly recommended to pack a picnic. The place presents a fine setting for leisurely sip some of the best wines in the country and simply watch the day go by.
Las Positas Vineyards
Las Positas is fertile in history, which is reflected in the complex and intricate flavor of their wines. Lisa Maier takes the helm of running the winery, while Charlie Kidd is the genius behind the famous wines. Both of them are always a great fun to talk to, sharing their common interest of combining the old and new wine philosophy and their future plans for the vineyards.
Charlie constantly jokes about one day ruling the wine world along with his brother who studied enology and viticulture in UC Davis. Sure enough, we can only expect brilliant things from Las Positas.
Las Positas Wine Tasting Recommendations:
• Petite Sirah
• Casa de Vinas Covarrubias Cabernet
• Casa de Vinas Covarrubias
• Livermore Valley Chardonnay
• Sauvignon
Fenestra Winery
This winery was established back in 1976. As soon as you get a glimpse of the property, you will be amazed by the almost ancient appeal of this picturesque winery. A visit presents an ideal occasion for enjoying a laid-back picnic by the creek while enjoying the fine taste of their award-winning wines.
At Fenestra Winery, you can expect to be regaled with events all year round. Among the most famous ones include the Spring Fling, Barrel Tasting Weekend and Chocolate and Cabernet Weekend. So when you are planning a visit, be sure to check their calendar of events.
Fenestrate Wine Tasting Recommendations:
• Torrontes
• Semonnay
• Pinot Gris
• Mourvedre
• True Red
• Malbec (Ghielmetti Vineyard)
• The Port
• Cabernet Franc
There are more than 40 wineries in Livermore Valley, which goes without saying, a day is definitely not enough to truly enjoy and take advantage of what these world-class vineyards has to offer. Plan a weekend getaway and experience Livermore at its finest.
If you are looking for a place to stay, the Purple Orchid Inn Resort & Spa comes with high recommendations. This estate boasts a full 21-acre private property that is nestled along the gentle sloping hills of Livermore Wine Country. Enjoy the fresh, country scenery at the luxurious comfort of their exclusive and well-appointed accommodations. It has complete amenities to ensure a excellent stay, including a huge outdoor pool and a patio and BBQ area.
Tired from a long day of walking around and touring the vineyards? A full body massage always presents a welcome idea to end a tiring day, of course always with a glass of fine wine. Make sure to check out their specials when booking your stay at Purple Orchid Inn Resort & Spa.
At Livermore Valley Wine Country, you’re not just visiting to taste first-class wines, more importantly, you can also look forward to imbibing a truly unforgettable experience.
