We’ve put together a list of some of the best wine-themed movies for you to enjoy with your favorite bottle of Livermore Valley wine. But of course, no movie night is complete without some sweet and salty snacks. A few Livermore Valley wineries are sharing their favorite wine and movie snack pairings for you to munch on during movie night.
Resolution 1: Learn more about wine
Winemaker’s Studio may be just the place for you to put this one to action. They have classes for everyone, from the novice to the expert. You can participate in a Black Glass Tasting, where you will learn about blind tasting in a new way by taking guesses if you are tasting red, white, or something in between. If you are looking for more of a “winemaker for a day” experience, try out their signature Winemakers Blending Experience, where you will get to taste, evaluate, and blend your very own bottle to take home with you and enjoy while planning your next wine country adventure.
Resolution 2: Give back to your community
Why not do so while also enjoying a night out with friends? Pinot’s Palette Livermore is hosting a special event celebrating local Law Enforcement. Join them on January 9th where they will be painting “We Got Your 6” in honor of Public Safety First Responders. All First Responders in attendance of this class will receive a FREE seat reservation gift card for a future 2-hour paint party (with valid ID).
Resolution 3: See more of the world
Set sail with Nottingham Cellars and Wood Family Vineyards aboard AmaWaterways’ AmaDolce through the Bordeaux region of France in 2018! This inclusive river cruise from March 29 to April 5, 2018 includes wine tastings with both winemakers, two wine-paired dinners crafted by AmaWaterways’ award-winning culinary team and wine-themed excursions in the heart of Bordeaux. This is a once in a lifetime event that you won’t want to miss!
This sailing is available exclusively through VinoCruising, and our ship is already 30% full! Please contact Margaret Miner at 925-399-4269 for more information.
Resolution 4: Try something new
Have we got just the thing for you! Barrels, Bottles, and Brews is a BRAND NEW event for Livermore Valley Wine Country and is highlighting not only our many wineries, but also some of our new neighbors, distilleries and breweries. We welcome amateurs and aficionados alike to discover something new and unexpected at Barrels, Bottles & Brews on March 25- 26, 2017. Whether you’re a beer buff, wine lover or spirits fan, you might gain a new appreciation for the beverage scene across party lines. Tickets available now!
Resolution 5: Laugh more
Wine seems to make us laugh a little easier, so why not check out a comedy show? Concannon Vineyard has one coming up at Underdog Winebar on January 27th. Enjoy a night of laughs, wine, and food with friends in the heart of wine country. Keep an eye on our events calendar for more events like this, we know that at Retzlaff Vineyards & Estate Winery and
Las Positas Vineyards
Do you have someone on your list who seems to have everything, loves a good glass of wine, and you want to get them something besides the liquid gold… I mean wine? Check out my suggestions below and make your very own Livermore Valley Wine Country Gift Basket.
Don’t miss the video I made and instructions on how to win my basket during Holidays in the Vineyards at the bottom of this post.
1. Wine Bottle Candle: Make your own with some careful glass cutting tools, some wax, and a wick… or stop by Mitchell Katz Winery and pick one up pre-made.
2. Artisan Food Items: Who doesn’t like their wine to have a side of food?! Check out the delicious mustard and cheese at Les Chenes Estate Vineyards, pick up some Brix Chocolate at Garre’ Winery, a hot pepper peach bourbon sauce from McGrail Vineyards and Winery, or maybe even an olive oil from Bent Creek.
3. Wine Growlers: These are PERFECT for picnics, I even like to take them on hikes with me, coupled with a water bottle of course. These growlers will keep your wine at the perfect temperature. White wine will stay chilled and the red wine won’t heat up while you set up the perfect picnic spread. Pick one or two up at Murrieta’s Well or The Steven Kent Winery.
4. Bar Accessories: Everyone needs coasters, so why not put together a collection from Livermore Valley wineries like Longevity Wines, Concannon Vineyard, and
The Singing Winemaker
There is a briskness in the air as fall marches on and it’s the perfect time to spice things up in wine country. In November, Livermore Valley highlights Zinfandel as the featured varietal. This bold and classic varietal is the number one planted grape in California.
The primary flavors include jam, blueberry, cherry, plum, boysenberry, cranberry and licorice. Other aromas you may be able to pick out are black pepper, black cardamom and anise. Tannins and acid are generally medium to medium high.
How do you decide what to pair with this rambunctious varietal? Think barbecued red meats, and lighter meats like turkey or ham. For cheese, try manchego. For veggies think something bold like roasted tomato, red peppers, caramelized onion or roasted squash to bring out the wine’s fruitiness. Need more inspiration for dinner? Check out our Pinterest board for recipe picks.
You can find Livermore Valley Zinfandel at more than 20 Livermore Valley wineries.
Recent award-winning wine includes:
Judges Best Pairing – Wente Vineyards and The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards
This team may have had the upper edge, I mean, who knows the wine better than their own restaurant? But their pairing of the 2014 Small Lot Serenity with berkshire pork sausage with bing cherry mostarda and Riesling fermented kraut ensured that they were ready for victory!
Best Classic Pairing – Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery and Gan
The team paired their 2013 Chateau Molyneaux Merlot with wedding cheeks with a charred Korean pepper soubise, crisp potato and pickled red daikon. Difficult to imagine it all together, but this definitely had us going back for more!
Most Innovative – Dante Robere Vineyard and Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar
This team paired their 2013 Roberitage, 50% Syrah 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with minced chicken in lettuce spears with a sweet hoisin sauce. Oh my! One of the best things about this dish was that it was delicious and savory without being heavy.
Our panel of judges consisted of Linda Carruci, Culinary Instructor and Author, Fred Swan, Wine Writer & Educator at San Francisco Wine School and Deborah Parker Wong Journalist & Educator for The Tasting Panel, SOMM Journal and Clever Root. While they may be the experts, our guests voted the following as their favorites.
People’s Choice Red Wine Pairing – McGrail Vineyards and Winery and Beet’s Hospitality Group
This team paired the Cabernet Sauvignon with a 12-hour house smoked dry rub brisket with homemade smoky paprika pimento cheese in a crispy risotto shell. And let me tell you, every hour that was put into this pairing was worth it.
People’s Choice White Wine Pairing – Longevity Wines and
Johnny Garlic’s
BEST IN SHOW and BEST WHITE
Nottingham Cellars | 2015 1846 Sauvignon Blanc
BEST CHARDONNAY
Concannon Vineyards | 2014 Reserve Chardonnay
BEST OTHER WHITE
The Steven Kent Winery | 2015 Lola
BEST RED and BEST CABERNET FRANC
Darcie Kent Vineyards | 2012 Stone Patch
BEST OTHER RED
Barrel tasting is a unique experience in that the wine sample is not like any other barrel of wine. When wine is ready to be bottled, all the barrels are mixed together in one large tank, resulting in wine that is a combined result from many barrels.
To make sure you’re ready for Barrel Tasting Weekend, here are the main components of tasting explained so you can impress your friends with your winemaking knowledge:
Everything takes place on the field, which you could argue is similar to your wine country map. With the streets and wineries on the map it looks like an incredibly complicated play. You’ll need your game plan of which wineries you want to visit and don’t forget to notify the Quarterback! He or she is your trusted designated driver who will literally drive (see what I did there) you from place to place.
Alright, let’s head out to wine country (singing of the National Anthem optional). Grab your group of friends, or team, and don’t forget to include any rookies! Not sure what to wear? Your wine country casual uniform, of course!
At each winery you are greeted by the Referee, or the person behind the bar. They will walk you through your wines and make sure you don’t commit any fouls. Just as in football, there are wine tasting fouls that can be called on you. Be sure not to commit any of the following:
False start: wine tasting on an empty stomach
Personal foul: chewing gum while wine tasting
Roughing the passer: spilling wine on a teammate or someone on another team
Like football, the highlight is the touchdown: finding that amazing bottle of wine to take home with you. Feel free to drop to one knee right in the winery and pull a Tim Tebow.
Livermore Valley wineries, just 30 miles from Levi Stadium, have exciting events in the weeks before, during and after the Superbowl! If you’re flying into one of the Bay Area airports, stay right here in Livermore Valley. You can make sure you don’t get called for a false start by trying any of our amazing restaurants and if you need a ride around wine country or to the Super Bowl our transportation partners are here to help!
So with that, let’s adhere to Peyton Manning’s play call and “hurry hurry!” out to Livermore Valley to taste some delicious wines. Ready, set, HIKE!
