The Crooked Vine/Stony Ridge has completed a remodeling of its tasting room that was spearheaded by the recently departed Gina Donofrio.
Lots of great fun at the end of the road Labor Day weekend!
Taste Our Terroir’s sold out lineup of seminars and outings this year ran the gamut from a rosé party at Retzlaff to a falconry demonstration with Kimmie Spears, of Embodied Wines, at el Sol. There were bubbles at Page Mill and Somm Secrets revealed at McGrail, but nothing had the Midas touc…
For the very first time in all the years of this event, parity was achieved on the number of white and rosé wines vs. red — eight of each. Had Darcie Kent Winery participated as planned, (unforeseen circumstances prevented their appearance), there would have been one more red offering, as th…
Las Positas College (LPC) students will soon see the literal fruits of their labor manifest in additional funding for LPC's Viticulture and Winery Technology programs. The college's Campus Hill Winery has earned its Viticulture and Enology Foundation license. The license, confirmed in May, a…
Valley Humane Society has forged a partnership with Darcie Kent Vineyards to benefit local dogs and cats through the sale of Dog Day Cabernet, which is newly available at eight Northern California Costco warehouses.
Whether you’re on a sweeping veranda, a cozy patio, your neighbor’s Weber-equipped deck, or your back porch, Sauvignon Blanc gives you shelter from the summer. Crispness hits your lips, tongue, and all the rest, causing you to sigh and close your eyes. Now you get some subtle herbal flavors …
Tickets are available to the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association’s annual food and wine pairing contest that partners wineries with Bay Area chefs to compete for coveted honors.
After the big 4th of July Holiday, with all its hot diggity excitement and overload of beer and cocktails, you might be looking for something a bit different to wag your fun meter. How about a luau at two of the most scenic spots in the Valley?
The East County Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) has renewed a conditional use permit for Crooked Vine Winery, allowing it to expand the number of events it annually hosts and the size of its event center at 4948 Tesla Road.
Wente Vineyards officially cut the ribbon on their newly remodeled dining space, now called the Vineyard Table and Tasting Lounge. Previously the site of their fine-dining restaurant, the new space is a place for friends and family to gather and make memories while enjoying Wente’s renowned …
The very fact that Concannon Vineyard wines still are made in a deliberate and intentional manner, with great respect to the land from which the grapes draw life, and in keeping with the longstanding tradition of this historical brand, is something of a miracle. They are effectively a small …
Viognier is an aromatic delight, typically with floral notes singing of white peaches, apricots, tropical fruits, sometimes grapefruit, jasmine, and, almost always, honeysuckle. The taste provides more of the same and has an undeniable sweetness but not an icky sweetness. You get a full roun…
The revamp of what was once known as The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards on Arroyo Road is nearly complete, with an official launch date of June 29 just announced. The Arroyo Road property has been under extensive revision for some months. PR and marketing firm AfCo, says the property has been…
The California State Fair's Commercial Wine Competition is a big one, and happens to be the longest standing wine competition in the Golden state, having originated in 1855. It is the only competition of its type to partition California into 11 wine regions and to recognize the best wines in…
John Kinney and Dave Hendrickson have been hard at work perfecting the three new gins they are set to bottle, now that they have label approval on two out of the three. “Learning the TTB rules for distillates takes a little navigating,” admits Kinney. “We’ve learned a lot about how to do spi…
Wineries are planning for warmer days and evenings ahead. Hopefully, the weather for Wine & Wags, set for Sunday, June 2, proves both human and pooch-friendly. Meanwhile, there are more Golds to celebrate in Livermore.
Suspend disbelief momentarily, and imagine you are part of something much larger and much more important than whatever you presently believe is your role in life. Perhaps you can set aside your smartphone or other informing device of choice, walk outside, take a deep breath and let the spiri…
A collaborative class sponsored by Friends of Open Space and Vineyards (FOV) with Las Positas College’s Community Education program is the first step in turning community wine enthusiasts into tasting room sales stars.
47th Annual Art in the Vineyard will be held at Wente Vineyard Estate Winery on Sun., May 26 starting at 11 a.m.
Wente Vineyards has released the first of its 2017 Artist Series red blends featuring original art by local Bay Area Artist, Lisa Elley.
Twenty-five downtown locations will become tasting rooms this Saturday, May 11th from 5-8 pm for Pleasanton’s Annual Wine Stroll. Spend a beautiful evening in downtown Pleasanton sampling wine and tasty bites while musicians perform live music throughout Main Street.
Ready or not, we’ve run out of April, and May is already upon us. Which means the school year is winding down, and thoughts are turning to summer. Wait…Summer? Not so fast. There’s still plenty of spring left in our step. Before all the wildflowers are spent and the hills begin fading to tan…
Wente Family Estates, the oldest continuously-operated, family-owned winery in the country, has announced a partnership with Bodega Cuarto Dominio of Argentina. Wente will be the designated US importer, sales and marketing agent for Bodega Cuarto Dominio of Argentina. Bodega Cuarto Dominio, …
Winemakers who made the winning wines of Tri-Valley Conservancy's (TVC) Livermore Uncorked for 2019 offered some highlights of their process.
Charles R Vineyards kicks off the free Summer Ukulele Jam, led by popular singer/songwriter and strings teacher Steve Kritzer, Saturday, May 4 from 1 to 4 pm. Anyone with a ukulele is welcome to participate, music will be provided and include some easy songs for beginners. An open mic sessio…
Make that two big wins in a row for Brent Amos of Las Positas Vineyards, who earlier this year took Best Red honors at the San Francisco Chronicle Competition. Now he can add Best White and Best of Show, in a unanimous decision, for the Tri-Valley Conservancy’s annual Uncorked! Wine competit…
Vineyards all over the Livermore Valley are bursting forth with the beauty of spring, and the first sign of life returning to dormant vines. Bud break is typically first seen in Chardonnay, that harbinger of spring, that promises us a golden reward come fall.
The Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association barrel tasting weekend took place March 23 and 24. Saturday’s barrel tasting crowds were far larger than Sunday’s.
The Painted Barrel Trail will be part of the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association Barrel Tasting Weekend, March 23 and 24. Local artists, some of whom are winemakers, have expressed themselves on the outside of the barrel, as well as in. Following are examples of creativity and inspirati…
Besides gawking at the absolutely Ireland-evoking scenery all around the Livermore Valley right now, there is plenty to look forward to this weekend. Livermore Valley wine country’s Painted Barrel Trail and Raffle returns for the 11th annual Barrel Tasting Weekend, March 23 and 24. Get ready…
About a dozen wineries have teamed up with local artists this year to create Livermore Valley’s second annual Painted Barrel Trail. The public is invited to buy raffle tickets for a chance to win a painted barrel, plus a case of wine. Raffle tickets are $20 each, or six tickets for $100, at …
It’s March, so it must be that time again. Mardi Gras is nigh. Drag out the party beads and get ready to party New Orleans style at "Mardi Gras Mayhem" on “Fat Friday,” March 1, beginning at 5:30pm. The Livermore Wine Trolley, McGrail Vineyards, Embodied Wines and Crawdad Republic invite all…
Ok, wineries of the Livermore Valley, it’s time to decide which wines to submit to this year’s TVC Uncorked Competition. Time is flying faster than ever. Deadline for submission is noon on March 6, 2019. All wines must be dropped off at the Tri-Valley Conservancy (TVC) offices on First Stree…
As part of their Twilight Tasting series of benefits for worthy causes, Page Mill Winery has agreed to host a fundraiser for Livermore mechanic, Detlev Hanschke, who is battling a rare form of cancer. The fundraiser will be held on Thursday, February 28, from 4:30 to 8pm, at the Winery. All …
Growing up in an American wine family that is now in its fifth generation of living on and cultivating the same land makes you something of a special breed. While children born to the vine do not always set fruit in this grape-focused business, for Niki Wente, fifth generation grapegrower, i…
Do sweets really pair with wines? The answer is “yes.” At Steven Kent Winery, on February 10, join pastry artist, Melody Anne Lorenzo, owner of Sweet Condesa Pastries in Oakland, for Filipino inspired desserts paired with a flight of Steven Kent wines, plus wines from around the world. Steve…
The options for spending Valentine’s Day are coming fast and furious. Choose your favorite winery, or perhaps someplace you’ve not yet been. Then, it’s Presidents’ Day weekend, with plenty more to tempt your calendar to fullness.
Many people think of Cabernet Sauvignon when red wines are mentioned. But it might not be for everybody. The sturdy tannins might be too much for some to swallow. Tannic acids are used to cure cowhide and pigskin. But for many of us, paired with the right food it is king.
January is that transition month, named for Janus, the Roman god of doors, who is depicted looking forward at the new year and back at the old. We sometimes find it hard to move forward out of the holidays, but time marches on, and soon it will be March and barrel tasting will be upon us. Bu…
This story was shared by Debra’s husband, Phil, with some input from her daughter Britnee. Many in the Livermore wine family are still shocked to lose such a vibrant, amazing woman at such a young age. While there may be a war on cancer, it just doesn’t feel like we’re winning it. As Phil Lo…
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of the beautiful, kind-hearted soul who imbued Longevity Winery with its uniquely warm, familiar and heartfelt hospitality. Debra Long, wife of Phil Long and co-proprietor of Longevity Winery, left us on Monday, January 14, after…
Getting a wine into the Sweepstakes at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition isn’t the easiest task: there are 6,800 wines going after the same spot on the dais. Twenty panels of judges, yours truly among them, gathered to award medals and find the truly win-worthy wines amongst the lot.
Have you experienced the pleasure of a wine cruise yet? If so, like many, you’re ready to book your next. If not, perhaps 2019 is your year. With several Livermore Valley wineries planning European cruises this coming year, it might be time to get on the boat.
Why is December unlike any other month? For one, it means many birthdays, besides the big one on December 24. I feel badly for those poor people who happen to be sharing a birthdate/month with the Christchild. It’s easy to feel lost in all the holiday hoopla. One thing I’ve learned about cel…
It’s been a long-held dream of Nancy Rodrigue, board member of Friends of Open Space & Vineyards (FOV) and co-owner of Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery, to establish a program that provides a baseline of instruction for wine tasting room staff in the Livermore Valley.
As the sun sinks lower in the sky and the sunsets ratchet up the drama to 11, especially with the wildfire smoke in the air, you know the seasons are changing, even if the days remain warm and some grapes still hang. It’s time to get out and enjoy the splendid fall colors before all the leav…
The 2018 harvest will undoubtedly go down as one for the record books, in a good way, as opposed to last year, when extreme heat scorched the day. This year, the cool summer weather has meant a longer hang time than in the drought years of 2012—2016. Many vineyards are reporting a slightly b…
Local family-run winery, Charles R Vineyards, adds depth and a fresh artistic nuance to boutique wine offerings with their new winemaker, Lisa Lee. With harvest in full swing, Lisa is hands-on and ready to bring her expertise and unique style to advance the Charles R legacy of delivering qua…
This has been one of those sagas of unbelievable disappointment and dashed hopes, met by promise after unmet promise until, finally, the impossible happens - that dream spot comes along.
