New and renovated Livermore valley tasting rooms are wooing wine lovers
Livermore Valley’s vineyard scene continues to expand, offering visitors new wine country experiences. We’ve got two great destinations to add to your must-see list, one with a newly revamped tasting room and one winery making its debut.
Murrieta’s Well
This historic Livermore Valley winery is surrounded by 500 acres of sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and Bordeaux varietal vineyards. This winery, which is owned by the Wente family, takes its name from Gold Rush bandit Joaquin Murrieta, who discovered the property and is said to have watered his horses at the estate’s stone-lined well. After closing in November 2015 for extensive renovations, the revamped tasting room and grounds re-opened last summer, making Murrieta’s Well one of the valley’s best destination wineries.
The expanded front patio offers plenty of seats and umbrella-shaded tables; the focal point remains that historic well. The second floor of the renovated, 1884 vintage gravity-flow winery serves as the tasting room. In addition to the updated digs, Murrieta’s Well gained a new winemaker, Robbie Meyer (Peter Michael Winery, Lewis Cellars), who is putting his stamp on the estate wines.
The vibe: Murrieta’s Well is moving to a reservationsrequired system. We were greeted on the front patio with glasses of the 2014 Sauvignon Blanc ($35), a lively grapefruit and tropical fruit-driven wine. The host escorted us to our reserved table, nestled between two tasting bars with backlit wine racks. Our hospitable wine ambassador brought us five tastes, telling us about each wine. Be sure to spend some time on the front balcony with its vineyard and patio views. The sips: The 2015 Dry Rosé ($30) is a floral grenache-counoise blend with strawberry and watermelon notes. For a full-bodied, fruitforward wine, try the 2013 Petit Verdot ($54). While this varietal is typically a blending grape, the black cassis and chocolate elements of this grape are splendid on their own.
Details: Open WednesdaySunday for tasting experiences ($25) by reservation. 3005 Mines Road, Livermore; www. murrietaswell.com
Leisure Street Winery
For a completely different wine-tasting experience, head to this winery’s new tasting room, which Rick and Kelly Volpatti opened in March. Leisure Street’s tasting room and winery shares warehouse space with McKahn Family Cellars and the Volpatti’s insurance company (they insure many Livermore Valley wineries).
The vibe: Check out the awesome wall that Rick has constructed at the back of the tasting room out of wooden wine boxes stamped with winery logos. Ask for a tour, and you can see the barrels and winemaking equipment, as well. The couple share winemaking duties, using skills they learned from the 3 Steves Winery guys and McGrail Vineyards’ Mark Clarin. Leisure Street’s wines, sourced mostly from Livermore Valley grapes, are terrific.
The sips: The 2013 GSM ($28), a classic Rhone style grenache, syrah and mourvedre blend, has an aromatic lavender floral and earthy nose, mixed with red and black fruit and a long spicy finish. The 2013 3S Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($45) is elegant, with tobacco, leather, black fruit and herbal green pepper notes. The details: Open Saturday-Sunday. Tastings are $5-$10. 503 Leisure St., Livermore; www.leisurestreetwinery.com