Area wineries offer relaxing, rural vibe
Rich variety at mostly family-owned tasting rooms
The area spanning Livermore, Danville, Dublin, Pleasanton, Sunol, Amador and San Ramon is home to some 50 wineries, and numerous varieties of grapes, including Malvasia, Semillon, Tempranillo, Mourvedre and Sangiovese.
Uniting it all are the tasting rooms, offering relaxed, often rural settings, mostly family owned, and each with a story to tell.
In the March 25 Livermore section, we highlighted tasting rooms at Concannon, Wente, Big White House/John Evan, Murrieta’s Well, Page Mill and Steven Kent/La Rochelle (sfg.ly/OcDgcw).
Here are a few more places to explore:
Crooked Vine Winery/Stony Ridge
The story: The original Stony Ridge winery was founded in 1887 in Pleasanton before moving to Livermore in 1995.
The place: It’s two wineries in one, since the Corbett family offers two labels, Crooked Vine and the higher-end Stony Ridge. Both brands are available for tasting, in five choices selected from a lengthy list of about 20 wines ($5 fee waived with purchase). Winemakers Eric Corbett and Ken Dias go for diversity, producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Malvasia. One of the best ways to sample it all is in the garden courtyard, surrounded by manicured lawns and trees.
4948 Tesla Road, Livermore; (925) 273-9058. crookedvine.com. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; noon- 4:30 p.m. Sun.
Fenestra Winery
The story: Lanny and Fran Replogle began their Fenestra Winery in 1976 at the old Ruby Hill/Stony Ridge Winery, then moved to their hidden-away Vallecitos Road spot in 1980.
The place: It looks like a wellworn dark wood barn on the slope of a hill. But inside, winemaker Brent Amos produces more than a dozen wines ranging from Semillon to Touriga. Select flights for $5 or $10, bring a picnic to enjoy under the shade trees, or call ahead and ask about custom, private cheese-and-wine pairings (prices vary). 83 Vallecitos Road, Livermore; (925) 447-5246. fenestrawinery.com. Noon-5 p.m. Fri.-Sun.
Garré Winery
The story: It was founded in 1997, but the family’s winemaking dates back to the early 19th century in Italy, and the 1930s, when Nonna “Rosa” Garré made wine with her son-in-law Gino Molinaro in Glen Ellen.
The place: Robert and Carol Molinaro aren’t content to just offer tastings in their white cottage-like space set in a pretty compound of red-tile-roof buildings and expansive lawns. They’ve also put together Cafe Garré, serving Mediterranean-California inspired cuisine at lunch daily, with breakfast on Sunday. After dining, take in a game of bocce ball, then sample the work of winemaker Wayne Re, including the newly introduced Sangiovese, or a rich Petit Verdot (six wines for $5). 7986 Tesla Road, Livermore; (925) 371-8200. garrewinery.com. 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri.-Sun.
Elliston Vineyards
The story: The National Historic Landmark mansion that houses the tasting room was built in 1890 by Henry Hiram Ellis, a ship and grain merchant and former San Francisco chief of police (1875—1877) .
The place: Taste the aged wines in the antique parlor-style salon on the mansion’s first floor, such as a 2001 Danse de Blanc (Dance of White) blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris, or a vintage 2000 Merlot from winemaker Mark Piche. Tastings are complimentary, as are self-guided tours of the mansion and lavish estate gardens.
463 Kilkare Road, Sunol; (925) 862-2377. elliston.com. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun.
McGrail Vineyards
The story: It’s a mere baby in Livermore history, with the vineyards planted in 1999, and the tasting room and winery built in 2008.
The place: Jim and Ginger McGrail are making a name for themselves, particularly with their estate Cabernet Sauvignon, which winemaker Mark Clarin crafts into a Vin Gris, as well. Enjoy five wines for $10 ($5 is refunded with a purchase). If you want to try your hand at the art, you can sign up for private winemaker blending camps. Come for periodic concerts on the lawn, too.
5600 Greenville Road, Livermore; (925) 215-0717, mcgrailvineyards.com. Noon-4:30 p.m. Fri.-Mon.
Ruby Hill Winery
The story: The original Ruby Hill was founded in 1887, and through multiple ownerships over the decades, has ties to many current Livermore wineries. It was demolished in 2002 after a fire, and rebuilt in 2007.
The place: Owner Mike Callahan’s new winery is a grand Mediterranean-style monument, brimming with nearly three dozen wines from winemaker Chris Graves (various groupings for $5 or $7.50). Shop for Italian ceramics, prepare a courtyard picnic from the gourmet deli, take in a private barrel room tasting with snacks ($10), or go all-out and board the bright green and red Mello Cielo bus for a private vineyard tour, tastings, food pairings, Port and chocolate ($25). 400 Vineyard Ave., Pleasanton; (925) 931-9463. rubyhillwinery.net. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily.
Rios-Lovell Estate Winery
The story: Max S. Rios opened his winery in 1994, and since then it’s grown into a virtual village of a 64-acre estate boasting an event center, concert center, picnic grounds, gazebo and gift shop surrounded by Tuscan-style outbuildings and gardens.
The place: Winemaking team Rios and Dan Baldwin produce more than two dozen wines and Ports, ranging from Viognier to Mourvedre ($5 for five wines or Ports). Two tasting rooms are decorated with rock walls and colorful streetscape murals, or enjoy the eye candy of the many weddings happening here.
6500 Tesla Road, Livermore; (925) 443-0434. rioslovellwinery.com. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wed.- Fri.; 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun.