Livermore Valley Wine Country Archives - Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association

Savoring Earth Day: Livermore’s Sustainable Wineries

Rezlaff Vineyards during Sauvignon Blanc Harvest

As Earth Day approaches, it’s a wonderful time to reflect on our planet’s beauty and the ways we can protect it. One way to celebrate this occasion is by enjoying wines from Livermore Valley, California, where several wineries are committed to sustainable practices that not only produce exceptional wines but also protect our environment for generations to come. When choosing sustainable winery options for Earth Day celebrations, consider renowned vineyards like Concannon, Murrieta’s Well, Retzlaff, and Wente, each committed to eco-friendly practices that protect our planet while producing exceptional wines. Read More

Passing the Torch: The Next Generation of Women in Wine in the Livermore Valley

The Livermore Valley, nestled in the heart of California’s wine country, has long been renowned for its picturesque vineyards and world-class wineries. In recent years, a remarkable transition has been taking place within the wine industry, with the torch being passed from the seasoned veterans to the dynamic and passionate next generation of women in wine. Read More

A Conversation with Phil Long, Winemaker and Owner of Longevity Wines

Longevity Wines is a family-owned, urban winery and certified minority-owned business based in the Livermore Valley wine region of Northern California. Founders Debra and Phil Long opened Longevity in 2008 when their winemaking hobby outgrew their garage. By that time, they had spent years visiting tasting rooms and saw a need for inclusive wine experiences. Their love of warm, welcoming spaces is evident in the cozy, barn-themed tasting room they designed together. Read More

Wine 101 – Put Your Best Sip Forward with Jeremy Troupe-Masi

Learning about wine can initially seem intimidating, especially if you are new to the wine scene. Yet, tasting wine in the Livermore Valley is a far cry from daunting; it’s a welcoming, enlightening, and exciting experience. The valley is renowned for its friendly atmosphere, often surprising visitors with winemakers themselves guiding you through the tasting rooms. This is one of the main reasons we offer a Livermore Valley Wine Passport, as it is the perfect way to get to know, understand, and love the art of wine tasting. So, let’s start 2024 off right with a little Wine 101 that will help you ‘Put Your Best Sip Forward’! Read More

Passport To Livermore Valley

Get to know Livermore Valley Wine with our Passport offer!

It’s almost a new year and time for new adventures. It is the perfect time to treat yourself or someone else to the gift of adventure with a 2024 Livermore Valley Wine Passport!

The Livermore Valley Wine Passport is our personal invitation for you to come explore this wine region that has historical roots dating back to the 1800’s and has now hosted 6 generations of winemakers and growers. Read More

Wine & Movie Night(s)

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. Read More

Keep Your Resolutions in Livermore Valley Wine Country

New year, new you…right? We all set different resolutions and we all have plans to see those resolutions through. Check out our suggestions on how to take action on some of the most popular resolutions we have heard this year.

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!

To register as a guest of Nottingham Cellars, click here
To register as a guest of Wood Family Vineyards, click here

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 Read More

Live Well with Zinfandel

Livermore Valley’s take on a quintessential California wine grape

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:

Eagle Ridge Vineyard 2012 Zinfandel (Silver, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2016)

Stony Ridge Winery 2012 Del Arroyo Vineyards Zinfandel (Gold, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2016)

Wood Family Vineyards 2013 Big Wood Zinfandel (Gold, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2016)

And the Winners Are…

Congratulations to the winners of Thursday night’s Annual Quest for Pairing Excellence and thank you to everyone who participated! Let’s not delay… here are the winners who make your cooking look like it needs improvement, or is that just me?

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 Read More