The Not-So Beaten Path to Wine Making

Livermore Valley winemakers share a deep passion for making quality wines in our historic region, but their paths into the wine industry are as varied as the wines we love to sip.

Scientist John Kinney had a career with Lawrence Livermore Lab and was a bioengineering professor at UC Berkeley before focusing his talents on wine. “My work allowed me to travel, and I found myself in some of the world’s great wine growing regions where I discovered the wines that influenced my approach to terroir winemaking,” says John. “I saw firsthand how the culture and the history of a region, under the hands of an artist, become reflected in the wines.” Read More

Livermore Valley Wine Legends

Livermore Valley Wine Legends

Welcome to one of California’s oldest wine regions and a wine region that helped shape the California wine industry that we know and love today. The Livermore Valley planted its first wine grapes in the 1760′s and has been making wine history ever since. Livermore Valley won America’s first international gold medal for wine in 1889 at the Paris Exposition and put the California on the world wine map. Livermore Valley wineries were the first to bottle varietal labeled Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Petite Sirah and Nearly 80% of California’s Chardonnay vines trace their genetic roots back to the Livermore Valley. Read More

Castro Valley, Sunol Destinations Pour Bliss in a Glass

Plan your Livermore Valley Wine Country visit here or print the driving directions here.

1  Perched atop the Sunol Grade on Sheridan Road, just a half-mile from Interstate 680, Nella Terra Cellars Winery and Event Center is the newest addition to Livermore Valley wine country. The grounds offer a fantastic backdrop and intimate experience for special events, with vibrant green hills in the winter and flourishing vines in the summer. Read More

Wente a Premier Place to Wine, Dine, Hit the Back Nine

Nestled into the canyon along Arroyo Road in the heart of Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is a premier wine country destination. Visitors to the historic property can enjoy wine tasting, tours of the sandstone caves, fine dining and championship golf as well as world-class concerts and private events. Read More

Chef and Owner David Lawrence of 1300 Fillmore

We are always excited to have new restaurants participate in Taste Our Terroir. We couldn’t be more curious to try 1300 Fillmore’s executive chef and owner David Lawrence’s pairing with Longevity Wines. David grew up in London with Jamaican parents, was French-trained and southern-inspired. So you know the food will be as dynamic as he is. His San Francisco restaurant is a testament to fresh food that brings an experience of warmth, vibrancy and a sense of belonging to its guests. Here we learn more about his inspiration and the man behind the iconic restaurant. Read More

Chef Chris Corey of Underdog Wine Bar and Lounge

Chef Chris Corey has lived in eight different states and worked every position possible in the restaurant industry. His experience in wine bars, catering companies, family restaurants and bars has brought him to his newest position as the Executive Chef of Underdog Wine Bar and Lounge. Now he is enjoying the view and the bountiful produce of the Livermore Valley Wine Country terroir. His experimentation and passion for the quality of the vegetables, grapes, meats, and seafood that comes from the area is sure to shine at this year’s Taste Our Terroir and we are anxiously awaiting to taste. Read More

Chef and Owner Eduardo Posada of Posada Restaurant

The guy behind the hottest new restaurant in town is no newbie to the Livermore Valley dining scene. Posada’s Catering has been serving his delicious food at Livermore Valley wineries since they opened in 2005. With all of Eduardo’s catering popularity, it is no surprise he has opened a new Southwestern-themed restaurant. It is one of the only restaurants of its kind in the Bay Area. Here we discuss his inspiration and experience. Read More

Chef Tony Murray and Chef Ashley Ullrich

Located in the middle of downtown Livermore, Double Barrel Wine Bar is a key institution of the wonderful culinary scene in Livermore Valley. Chef Tony Murray and Chef Ashley Ullrich are the masterminds behind the ever changing menu. Tony and Ashley work with the fresh, locally grown produce, to craft the creative and flavorful small bites. The menu changes every eight weeks to perfectly reflect the season and terroir. Double Barrel has participated in the last three Taste Our Terroir events and won the Judges Best Pairing in 2012 with McGrail Vineyards and Winery. This year Tony and Ashley have once again joined forces with McGrail and we can’t wait to see what will inspire their pairing. Read More

Chef and Owner Rachael Zavala of The Compass Star

It is not every day that you meet a meat specialist or charcutier. Especially not one with as much passion like Rachael Zavala. Her love for food is apparent in every house made product at her Martinez restaurant, The Compass Star. Zavala made her Taste Our Terroir debut at last year’s event, and was not afraid to be innovative with a smoked beef brisket, topped with mashed sunchokes and Mascarpone cheese served in a parmesan cone. We are excited to see what creation she will craft this year with her partners from Dante Robere Vineyards. Here we discuss Gourmet Magazines, meat and of course pairings. Read More