Less than 45 miles east of San Francisco on Interstate 580 is a wine country that rival the Napa Valley . Livermore Valley ’s wine land is more accessible – in both personality and cost – than the fancy - pants Napa Valley scene , and has more than 50 wineries with a put - back vibe . The rolling golden hills , warm weather , and the fact that 24 of the wineries aredog - friendlymake Livermore a no - brainer for your next solar day venture .
The Alameda County city clean up when it follow towine competition awards , and the bequest of growing means Livermore grape vine have just as much street cred as Napa or Monterey on the outside scene . show along and scope the view , a few fun fashion to get around , and brunch and dinner tips if you overnight it .
Livermore has history in its vines
Livermore ’s had grapes since the Spanish missionaries arrive to exchange the Ohlone in 1740 , but it was n’t until rancher Robert Livermore ( whose lands formed the ground of the urban center ) establish commercial vine in 1840 that the party really got started . Livermore vale grew to about 50 wine maker and was the premier wine-coloured product country in the land until Prohibition put the smackdown on the vines in 1919 . The Concannon and Wente wineries survived , but most others had to shut down .
The region begin a obtuse rebuild in the second half of the 20th century , and in 1981 , theLivermore Valley Winegrowers Associationformed . In 1993 , there were 13 appendage ; in 2003 there were 25 ; now , there are over 50 winegrowers in the realm . As the wine-colored accolades mount up , more people are taking notification of this once - ignore wine region . Tourism has also boomed , with the newer vineyards open taste room to foregather California ’s love of day drinking in the cheer .
nuzzle along rural Tesla , Mines , and Greenville Roads are stacks of wineries with taste room . Most taste suite are open weekends from 11am-4:30pm , so contrive consequently . Lift your chicken feed y’ all , let ’s salute to Livermore .
Flickr/star5112
Hop aboard theLivermore Wine Trolley
Be a safe wine sipper and exit navigation to the trolley senior pilot . The Livermore Wine Trolley offers wine tours Friday through Sunday year - pear-shaped . The trolley arrive at four to five rotate wine maker with tasting fees cover and luncheon provided – and you also get price reduction when buying bottles . slate are $ 99 per person , so twit up a crew and take over an integral trolley car . You select the euphony , feel the confidential information in your hair’s-breadth , and everyone gets home good .
Pedal your way through wine country
cheery Day and fermented grape are best enjoyed on two bicycle . BART over with your bike to theDublin / Pleasanton Stationor rent from a station likeAll Together Mobile Bike Rentalsand take the accent out of your wine commute . Livermore ’s wineries are insanely airless together – onTesla Roadyou can strike six tasting room in under a nautical mile – and the city’smulti - use lead systemis well-situated horseback riding . If you rent , All Together brings bikes to you , then picks them up wherever you end your solar day . They leave helmets and cherubic cabin cruiser with baskets and bells , with none of the worry of boozing and drive . They even have tandem cruiser lease for the romanticist with practiced balance .
Wente Vineyards
Grandmama of the grapes , Wente has been on the conniption since 1883 . Deemed the First Family of Chardonnay , Wente tame and produced the country ’s first varietally labeled Pinot Chardonnay in 1936 . The beautiful Spanish commission - style grounds are tucked into the diffuse Hill , and back up to the18 - hole golf course– if tope wine-colored bring out your clean side . Weekend day sport live , local music , champion drinking wine-colored , flights in the $ 10-$15 ambit , and bon vivant snack for picnicking under the sunbrellas . Thesummer concert seriesshowcases everyone from Diana Ross to Lynyrd Skynyrd .
Concannon Vineyard
Concannon also entered the grape vine game in that magical year of 1883 and is credited with creating the land ’s first Petite Sirah standalone varietal in 1961 . You ’re not only drinking wine-coloured here , masses , you ’re celebrating America ’s history . The estate is beautiful – on the all-embracing green lawns , outdoor seating , and in the historical tasting room , you ’ll feel right at home in that splendor - bond kind of room . TheUnderdog Wine Barserves tappa in an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere , while flights in the sample room will run you $ 10 . you could also pack a picnic , purchase a bottle inside , then mellow out under huge oak tree tree and appreciate the ( dragon ! ) topiary creatures run amuck .
Darcie Kent Vineyards
Darcie Kent Wine Gallery is the consummate place to pull up out a picnic and love the welcoming area beauty ( your dog is invited , too ) alongside a bottle of Bordeaux - inspired red-faced blend or chardonnay grape . If it ’s cool out of doors , cozy up inwardly on one of the regal couch and savor vintner Darcie Kent ’s paintings ; her coloured art also graces all the wine labels . Flights run $ 15-$20 , and her first tastes of the season have been the bombilation of the town . Darcie Kent donates $ 2 of every sales event of the Victories Rosé to chest Crab research – drink with a cause looks good on you .
Garré Winery
Gorgeous grounds , a newly remodel taste way , and an out-of-door bocce ball judicature make this a highlight of the Tesla Rd crowd . The wine maker speciate in red Italian varietals like zinfandel and sangiovese , and also has a effervescent wine to start out your twenty-four hour period off right . Tastings are $ 10 , which is repay when you buy two bottles . When the tastings are done , head toCafe Garréfor dinner and try the Cowboy Burger – made with grass - fed beef top with fume bacon , brie , saute mushrooms , and Cajun aioli on a house - baked brioche scroll . Your pooch can get together in on the action if you ’re on the patio .
McGrail Vineyards
McGrail is peculiarly awing for its chill relishing room with $ 10 flight and smart staff who ’ll make you experience welcome . You ’ll sense like you ’re at the nerveless kid ’s launch pad at this doggy - friendly winery , which has bocci courts out back and a variety ofeventslike Sunday Funday with resilient music and football game , or yoga and wine in the Barrel Room . There ’s nice patio furniture look out over the rolling Benny Hill , and luscious snacks for sale . You ’ll be heavily - pressed to get out at 4:30pm .
Bent Creek Winery
Sip a glass of wine overlooking the vine and live like backyard royal line . Bent Creek is tucked down a narrow lane with a tiny tasting way that feel refreshfully like an unfastened - tune res publica bar . The flight of stairs is pelt with decoration - win wine-coloured , and they provide 11 tasting for $ 10 – three of which are port . You ’ll feel like you took time off life story to become a vintner in the Italian countryside . The back terrace has sizeable room for your big group , and your whelp can fall out , too .
Campo di Bocce
Bocce ball is the national pastime of Livermore , and this is its home . Have the Sunday brunch between 10am-1:30pm to get your bocce biz on , indulge in multiple breakfast buffet rounds , and sip endless Champagne for $ 33 . Brunch even has a prime rib sculpture station , so you know they ’re not playing around . It ’s a zoological garden in the best way possible , with child and parent and daylight toper all mingling and play bocce . Have a full repast before embark on an afternoon of wine-coloured sampling with bottleful from around the field . It ’s the thoroughgoing position to host a party , too .
The Last Word
Feeling wined out ? The Last Word do spectacular craftsmanship cocktail and small plates lovingly created by hubby - and - wife squad Rick and Theresa Dobbs . Tasty treats include chicken & waffles with Sriracha , a killer burger , and the best Old Fashioned west of the Pecos . This stylish and cozy joint in Downtown Livermore also have unrecorded music Thursday and Sunday Nox .
Going beyond the bottle
Downtown Livermore is favorite ; the landscape streets are always in bloom , and Lizzie Fountain Park on 1st St is gross for kick back it with an ice cream and watch the world go by . The super - pedestrian - friendlyshopping districtis filled with cute boutiques , bistros , and restaurants . There ’s on a regular basis live music happening at local bars , majuscule picture at theVine Cinema & Alehouse , and execute arts in theBankhead Theater .
To add a little nature into your speculation , make a sphere slip of it , volume buy from the winery , then camp at the gorgeousDel Valle Regional Parkand enjoy hike , kayaking , and the promise of aeonian vale cheer . architectural plan ahead for the JuneLivermore Rodeo , which has been rock dazzle Wranglers since 1918 .
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Flickr/star5112
Brian Luke
Flickr/Ron Lute
Wente Vineyards
Merridith Robertson for Concannon Vineyard
Darcie Kent Vineyards
Heather McGrail
Campo di Bocce of Livermore
