Dedicated to wineries, wine and wine lovers .
On a beautiful summer day, wine tasting can best be enjoyed in the great outdoors. Luckily, there are a lot of wineries offering tastings al fresco. We were able to combine a beautiful afternoon with some beautiful wines when we recently visited Page Mill Winery.
Ah, summer in Livermore! Sunny days and cool nights, just perfect for ripening wine grapes. Nothing is better for building anticipation of the coming harvest like a summertime wine club release party! We were excited to see that next on our schedule was the summer release party at Darcie Kent Vineyards.
Launching and growing a winery is not for the faint of heart! There are so many challenges to overcome, just to survive from year to year. To flourish for ten years is a real achievement. We were thrilled to be invited to the celebration of Eagle Ridge Vineyards’ 10th anniversary.
One of Livermore’s (and California’s) oldest wineries, Murrieta’s Well continues to be a premiere purveyor of fine wines and an outstanding venue for wine tasting. A recent sunny, Friday afternoon seemed to be perfect for another visit to their tasting room. With such a gem just around the corner, why not?
One of the fun side-effects of Livermore’s annual Taste Our Terroir weekend is being reminded of the amazing local wineries that we haven’t visited in a while. That was exactly what happened when we tasted at the Dante Robere Vineyards table during the Quest for Pairing Excellence. We agreed that we had been away far too long!
The Livermore Valley wine industry is growing! New wineries are sprouting up, established wineries are growing, positive changes are everywhere. Several wineries have recently moved to new and larger tasting rooms. Following a fun tasting at the McKahn Family Cellars‘ new tasting room, we kept with the theme and visited the new tasting room for Wood Family Vineyards.
The Livermore Valley wine scene is constantly growing and changing. An exciting part of the experience is watching a fledgling winery transition from birth to establishing a reputation, to growing in every way, as the marketplace discovers their unique offerings. It has been great to watch as McKahn Family Cellars developed awareness and then appreciation as a new winery. Their latest transition: moving into a new tasting room that better represents the stature and popularity of their wine.
Although the Quest for Pairing Excellence is the kick-off event for Taste Our Terroir, it is by no means the only highlight. The rest of the extended weekend is chock-full of educational and entertaining events. One highlight capping off the weekend was the brunch at Retzlaff Vineyards. What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning!
The premier weekend of the Livermore Valley wine scene had arrived: the Taste Our Terroir weekend. The kick-off event, the Quest for Pairing Excellence, showcased 20 local wine makers and chefs and their very best collaborations. It was an evening not to be missed.
Rosé wine has a long and storied history, soaring and plunging in popularity over the decades. Of late, rosé wine is enjoying a resurgence as wine makers produce a “not your parents’ rosé” in tune with modern trends.
It was a roasting-hot Fathers’ Day in Murphys and we had just completed a fun tasting at Gossamer Cellars. Our enthusiasm for wine tasting was still quite high, but our appetite for walking great distances in the triple-digit temperatures was low. Great news: one of our favorite tasting rooms was mere feet away. Mineral Wines, it was meant to be!
| Aug 23 |
Eagle Ridge in Livermore Wine Wednesday at Eagle Ridge Vineyard DATE: Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017 TIME: 5- 8pm LOCATION: Eagle Ridge Vineyard 10017 Tesla Rd., Livermore MORE: Live Music with "Rhyme & Reason" playing, Snacks and Plenty of Wine, including our new Blend "Eagle X". Bring a picnic dinner & dine in the renovated garden area while enjoying the live music. |
| Aug 24 |
Dante Robere in Livermore Wine & Taco Thursday With Live Music On The Patio It's Taco & Wine time! Please join us this Thursday, August 24, 2017 from 6-9pm for great wine, delicious food and lively music! Each month we select wines that pair beautifully with grilled tacos. Relax, sip and fill up on a selection of tacos prepared by Your Taco Guy while enjoying live music on the Patio featuring Dave Land. Taco tickets are $13 each. There is no cover charge. Wine sold separately. Wine specials will be available by the glass or bottle. Reservations are not required. Taco tickets & wine purchases can be made the day of the event. Cheers and we look forward to seeing you Thursday! Dan and Bob |
| Aug 25 |
Charles R Vineyards in Livermore FOURTH FRIDAY FREE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES FEATURING "STEVE KRITZER" 4thfridayFriday, August 25th 6:00pm - 9:00pm Head to Charles R Vineyards for our Fourth Friday Summer Concert featuring singer-songwriter Steve Kritzer. TGIF! Wine down your week with live music on the patio, while you sip, sing and sway the week away. Pizza and wine by the glass or bottle are available for purchase. TRAVEL TIP: To avoid commute traffic on Tesla Road, take Las Positas or Patterson Pass Road to Greenville Road. |
| Aug 26 |
Balletto Vineyards in Russian River DOG WALK IN THE VINEYARD Saturday, August 26th 9:30 am Join the Balletto Vineyard dogs for a stroll on National Dog Day. They would like you to bring your furry friends to join in the fun! Leashes Required We will meet at the Tasting Room for some light bites and coffee before we start our walk! We will have water spots along the way, play area at the Field of Dreams, and raffle, where proceeds go to the Sonoma Humane Society. Please RSVP so we have enough snack for both our two & four legged friends! Questions? RSVP? Email jacqueline@ballettovineyards.com |
Rock Wall in Alameda Rock Wall Wine Company's 10th Anniversary Open House Celebration Saturday August 26, 2017 2:00-3:00pm: VIP Preview (Investors, Club Viva Members and Media) 3:00-6:00pm: General Admission Catch the early bird discount until August 4th at midnight! Early Bird General Admission: $35 Club Viva Member Admission: $25 (Club Viva members please enter the discount code you were sent via email. Limit 2.) It is hard to believe that we are headed into our 10th harvest! Time flies when you are having fun and making great wine! Join us for luxurious afternoon of celebration. Enjoy unlimited wine tasting, nosh on delicious eats, gourmet cheese spreads and groove to live music as you take in amazing views of the San Francisco skyline. The Rock Wall Wine Company portfolio (40+ wines) will be paired with delectable bites from some of the best restaurants in the Bay Area. We will also be releasing 10 new wines at this event! Revisit some old favorites, try something different and discover a new must have. Sample bites from local vendors, identify aromas and expand your palate at the sensory stop. Take a tour of the cellar, get silly in the Rock Wall photo booth, commemorate the day with a henna tattoo, play some lawn games and take home a beautiful Rock Wall wine glass. Admission includes one souvenir wine glass and all wine tasting, food and entertainment. This event is 21+; age will be verified at admission. No children please. Parking is free and plentiful. No dogs allowed. You must print out your ticket or bring your smart phone with the unique QR code to admissions at check in. The tasting room will be open during this event but is not part of the event. Please note if you choose to leave the event, re-entry will not be permitted. After August 4th: General Admission: $45 Club Viva Admission: $35 Designated Driver (at the door only): $25 At the door: GA at the door: $55 Club Viva Member at the door: $45 Designated Driver (at the door only) $25 More vendors are signing up daily. Check back for updates! Featured Caterer: Epicurean Group Local Restaurants and Eateries: Dragon Rouge Mama Papa Lithuania Scott's Seafood Grill and Bar Live Music: The Belong Vocal Guitar Jazz Duo Photo Booth: Exclusive Productions Henna Tattoo: Yogis Henna |
Beaulieu Vineyard in Napa through Aug 27 Saturday, August 26th - Sunday, August 27th We are devoting an entire weekend to celebrating the release of the newest Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Mark your calendars to be the first to taste and access the 2014 vintage! Release Weekend Hard Hat Tour & Tasting For one weekend only, enjoy a special tour of the newly renovated BV Reserve Winery and new release tasting. Your wine educator will share the incredible history of Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon that helped to put Napa Valley Cabernet on the map. Be the first to see where we'll welcome the upcoming harvest. $35 per person. Offered hourly 10:30 to 3:30 pm Saturday, August 26 & Sunday, August 27. (Wine club members receive 4 complimentary bookings)Click here for more info |
| Aug 30 |
Concannon Vineyard in Livermore A SIP AND A CONE: WINE & ICE CREAM PAIRING Wednesday, August 30th | 6:00pm-8:00pm Who says you can't drink wine with ice cream? Ask most wine professionals, and they'll tell you that pairing wine with ice cream is one of those "impossible pairings." Put your skills to the test while you taste wine with different flavors of ice cream. Learn about the nuances of these special tastes that you can surely enjoy with your ice cream at home! Pricing: Visitors: $65 | Members: $55 |
| Aug 31 |
Cuda Ridge in Livermore Cuda Thursday is back - Thursday, August 31 We are excited to have Audrey Gomes, and her sidekick Tim Gomes (Dad), back for Cuda Thursday in August. Cuda Thursday is Thursday, August 31st from 5:30 - 7:30. Come on out and enjoy our wonder summer evenings in the Vineyard and listen to some awesome local music. You are welcome to bring a snack, or dinner, and enjoy the evening. Cuda Ridge Wine is available by the glass or bottle. We hope to see you on Aug 31st! |
| Sep 02 |
Dobra Zemlja Winery in Amador 22nd Anniversary Party September 2nd 12pm to 4pm We're turning 22 and it is time to celebrate! Join Dobra Zemlja for an afternoon filled with traditional Croatian Kolo dancing courtesy of Skalinada Ensemble, delicious mali (little) bites, and fantastic wine specials. For questions, please contact us at (209) 245-3183 or tastingroom@dobraz.com. |
| Sep 03 |
Rosenblum Cellars in Oakland Wine Barre: Excercise & Wine Sunday September 3rd at 11:30 am Every 1st Sunday it's WineBarre! A blend of cardio, strength training, flexibility, balance and core conditioning into a total body workout... followed by WINE! PB & J fitness owner Teresa R. Ellis has been teaching Barre Classes since 2008 and is a Certified-Ace Personal Trainer. Teresa is super excited to share her two favorite things; fitness and wine, with you! $30 for Non-Club Members and $20 for Wine ClubClick here for more info |
| Sep 04 |
Cuda Ridge in Livermore Labor Day Celebration at Cuda Ridge - Monday, Sep 4 Cuda Ridge will continue the celebration at the winery on Sun,Sep 4th from 12:00 - 4:30. Come, relax and enjoy the day in the vineyards. We have Live Music, Food Vendor, Great Wine, and artistic vendors. TASTING FLIGHT ($10.00) Complementary for Club Members HWC Wristband Holders - Complementary 3 Wines 2015 Semillon 2015 Cabernet Franc 2015 Merlot 2014 Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Petit Verdot WINE DISCOUNT 3-Pack (any wines to go) - 10% Discount Case (mixed ok) - 15% Discount LIVE MUSIC Tripster Louie featuring Lexi Blair FOOD Q Squared BBB (delicious) VENDORS Michelle's Jewelry Box |
| Sep 08 |
Wine Guerrilla in Russian River Join us for an evening of art, live music, and wine! Friday, Septemeber 8th from 5pm to 8pm $10 for wine & hors d'oeuvres Featuring art by David & Bryon Aughenbaugh |