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

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

The 13 Most Instagrammable Places in the Livermore Valley Wine Country

If you’ve been to the Livermore Valley, you know that the entire region is Instagram worthy! Here are 13 spots that are begging to be captured by your camera, and posted for all of your followers to see.

What are your favorite spots in the Valley? Don’t forget to use #LiveaLittleMore in all your social posts! 

 

1. Ellen Rowe Concannon Victorian House at Concannon Vineyard

Image by: victoria_kiani

 

2. Barrel Wall at Crooked Vine Winery

Image by: alo_ayalaaa

 

3. Purple Barn at Darcie Kent VineyardsImage by: brigmix

 

4. Mansion at Elliston Vineyards

Image by: danatoddphoto

 

5. Painted Wings at Embodied Wines

Image by: allisonmollengarden

 

6. Wood Door at Las Positas Vineyards

Image by: haydunc

 
7. Barn at

Mitchell Katz Winery Read More

Fall Activities in the Livermore Valley!

October is here & Fall is upon us! We thought we would list some of our favorite fall festivities here in the Livermore Valley.

 

Downtown Livermore’s Tree Sweaters

Image by Doug Jorgensen via The Independent

Grab your coffee or tea from your favorite downtown cafe and take a stroll through Downtown Livermore to see this years’ beautiful “Tree Sweaters”. These handmade sweaters that are knit to every tree will be up until Friday, November 18th, before being donated to the Valley Humane Society of Pleasanton as comforting blankets.  You can find these cozy trees along First Street between Maple and L Street. Bothwell Arts Center sponsors the Tree Sweaters each Fall. Read More

Find Your Best Self in Livermore Valley

It is once again that time of year when we are setting intentions, mapping out goals, and figuring out how to be the best version of ourselves. It can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve put together a list of some of the top resolutions in 2018, according to YouGov, and how Livermore Valley wineries can help to meet those! Let us know what goals you are setting for yourself by tagging us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and using #LiveaLittleMore.

 

 Be Healthy

This is the classic all-time-popular New Year’s resolution. Less carbs, more fruits and veggies (wine counts as a fruit, right?), and recently there has been a trend for more organic and local items! If vine to glass is what you are looking for, then we have you covered! Retzlaff Vineyards has been a certified organic vineyard since 2006 and it sounds like there may be another on the horizon soon. Dane Stark, Owner and Winemaker at Page Mill Winery, says his New Year’s resolution is that he wants to “..finally, after 12 years, file the paperwork for our Organic certification”.  Cheers to that, can’t wait to celebrate when you do!

Try Something New

 

Stretching yourself to try something new may at first seem overwhelming, but when that something is wine… it’s not that bad! Winemaker Earl Ault at Cedar Mountain Winery told us that his New Year’s resolution is to try something new by adding some new varietals to the winery line up. First up, he is adding Cab Franc to his varietal mix this year! If you haven’t tried this varietal yet, add it to your list and let Earl help you experience it by stopping by their tasting room (If you haven’t tried their ports, add those to your list too).

Gain a New Skill/Hobby

 

If a new skill or hobby is what you are looking for, then we have just the thing for you. Hal Liske, owner and winemaker at el Sol Winery has been bee keeping for many years. This past year he has cultivated some wonderful hives at his winery, and started teaching bee keeping classes to those interested. His classes are offered about every quarter, call or drop by the tasting room to learn more.

Go on More Dates

 

Whether you have a significant other, are looking for one, or just want to “treat yo self”, getting out and finding new adventures is a great way to spend the day. Nella Terra Cellars has some beautiful views, nestled away in Sunol, and even just the drive to get there is an adventure through beautiful scenery and rolling hills. Until this year, they have been appointment only, but starting January 6th, they will be open to the public the first Saturday of each month from 1-4pm.

 

Exercise More

 

Yup, another classic. Livermore Valley has a wonderful bike trail connecting a number of our wineries down Tesla and hiking trails abound at places like Sycamore Grove (entrance next to Dante Robere Vineyard) and  Del Valle Regional Park. If you are looking for something a bit more zen, a few of our wineries offer yoga classes throughout the year. In January Mckahn Family Cellars is hosting “Yoga B4 Wine” on January 11th and

McGrail Vineyards & Winery 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)
  • Read More

    Barrel Tasting: A Taste from the Winemaker

    Tasting wine from a barrel is a rare opportunity that anyone can step out of the role of wine taster and peek into what it is to be a winemaker.  Winemakers taste from the barrel not only to check if it is ready for bottling, but also to make sure nothing is spoiled, or when they are considering which wines to blend together.

    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:

  • The Barrel | Generally made from oak, but can also be made of stainless steel. The barrels have a huge impact on the flavors incorporated in the wine.
  • The Wine Thief | The tool used to siphon wine out of the barrel.
  • Futures | A chance to purchase the wine you tasted now at a discount, and receive the final product after it has been bottled (usually 12-18 months later).
  • Read More

    Touchdown for Livermore Valley: How wine tasting is like playing football

    Rumor has it that beer and football are the perfect pair, but have you ever thought about how football and wine tasting are similar?  I know, it sounds ludicrous!  One features pads, balls, and wrestling on a field while the other is the essence of class and sophistication, but hear me out.

    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!