Visit Livermore Valley Wine Country – Wine Tasting Trips

While Napa Valley drinks in all the acclaim – to say nothing of film and TV cred – nearby Livermore Valley continues to grow both in abundance and prestige. Forgiving the fact that wine grapes have been grown in this distinct graveled valley every bit as long as in Napa, the days of calling the latter “California’s Wine Country” may soon be over. The next time you’re in Northern California, take the chance to visit Livermore Valley Wine Country.

Thirty miles east of San Francisco, and less than fifteen from Pleasanton, you’ll find a robust ten by fifteen mile valley tucked into the floating shadows of the costal foothills. In this valley, as with so many others, they’re all about wine.

In fact, Livermore Valley is a formative wine-growing region of California. The first grapes were planted by Spanish missionaries as far back as the 1760s, and commercial production started in the 1840s.

But early adoption isn’t the only claim to fame. America’s first international gold medal for wine, won in Paris in 1889, was awarded on the quality of a Livermore wine.  Growers from Livermore Valley also bottled America’s first Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and the unctuous Petite Sirah.

Not so much on the history and just looking to do some classy boozing? You’re in luck in Livermore. Today the valley is home to more than 40 vineyards and wineries, almost all of which host tasting rooms, several of them free. The official Livermore Valley Wine Country Web site is your best resource for winery information including addresses, hours, prices and wines produced.

We would like to make a few suggestions, though:

• Wente Vineyards – the nation’s oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery and also the largest producer in Livermore. Wente is a perfect last stop, because nothing expresses the wine country experience better than dinner at Wente’s fabulous and locally sourced restaurant.
• Concannon Vineyard – pioneers of the world’s first Petite Sirah and California’s first Bordeaux, Concannon is Livermore’s second-largest grower today. Just as the wines play beautifully across your palate, the rustic and historic grounds of the Vineyard provide a beauty all their own.
• White Crane Winery – no historical significance, no centuries-old estate, just good award-winning wine. White Crane Winery actually overlooks the valley from Crane Ridge, a subtle geographic advantage that reveals itself in the glass.

The location of the Livermore Valley Wine Country is always dictated relative to San Francisco, but we actually recommend staying even closer in the upscale suburb of Pleasanton, California, just 10-15 miles from the wineries of Livermore Valley. Among Pleasanton hotels, we like the Hilton Pleasanton at the Club. Don’t forget to check out their specials.

Have fun!

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