Approachable luxury meets world-class vintners in the Livermore Wine Community
Right here in the Bay Area’s front yard, a fairytale renaissance of California’s oldest wine region is taking place with a flavor and an ambiance that’s all its own.
Across a terrain and climate matching that of France’s Bordeaux region, the more than 40 wineries in Livermore Valley deliver hospitality with a sense of homecoming. It’s all minutes from Silicon Valley and most of the Bay Area and right near the edge of quaint and vibrant downtown Livermore through a valley flanked by rolling hills.
Livermore Wine Community’s story features much more than terroir or winemaking. It’s a narrative of teamwork and ingenuity between winemakers that results in a wine country visit that’s an approachable, luxurious experience.
You might even say that region feels like a 140-year-old startup. Some of the area’s wineries date back at least five generations, with their Millennial and Gen Z winemakers starting to take the helm. With this younger cohort of vintners comes decades of knowledge matched with eagerness to learn from each other and their customers.
“Livermore Valley wineries collaborate and support one other,” says Brandi Lombardi, executive director of the Livermore Wine Community.
“Often times the winemaker comes and chats with visitors,” she adds. “There’s something about the winemaker sitting at the table with you and sharing stories that makes you feel connected not just to the wine but to the people who make it.”
That goes for everyone from the wine enthusiast with a palette for worldclass wines to folks who may never have given wine a thought before arriving.
“We like meeting people who are discovering wine for the first time and we’re just as ready for the well-versed connoisseur who wants to know the technical side of winemaking or learn about our wine trilogy we grow so well here,” says Lombardi, referring to the Livermore’s Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The refreshingly unpretentious yet luxurious vibe of the Livermore Wine Community makes visitors feel catered to
“This warmth should come as no surprise, given the backstory of the area’s pioneers. In 1883, about 40 years after Robert Livermore planted the area’s first commercial wine grapes here, an enterprising immigrant named James Concannon entered the scene as the first Irishman to grow wine in America.
Soon thereafter, Concannon Vineyard produced the mother vine from which 80% of Cabernet grapes grown in California originate and Wente Vineyards originated 75% of Chardonnay grapes grown in California with the Wente Clone.
Today, the 44 wineries infuse the Livermore Wine Community experience with contemporary character. In all the right ways, they’re worlds ahead of their predecessors, from sustainability practices to creating distinct Livermore wine experiences for visitors.
They know firsthand that visitors want to take part in more than wine tastings when they arrive in the beautiful Livermore Valley. Some venues offer onsite excursions such as a sunset hike, where wine tastings are set out up a beautiful knoll. Others offer wine-and-food pairing events or live music.
Some people enjoy renting e-bikes from Pedego in the Livermore Wine Valley Community for selfguided tours. One tour, the Master Gardener Trail, runs past nine colorful California native gardens. Another tour takes riders through the valley to downtown Livermore, where dozens of shops, eateries and live entertainment abound in the charmingly revived First Street area.
“Our urban wine region, right off Vasco, has micro-breweries and spirit tasting in addition to wine tasting storefronts,” Lombardi says. “A lot of people enjoy seeing the amazing art that is on display at many wineries, some of it for purchase.”
She points out that in addition to microbreweries and tasting rooms, the Almost Famous Wine Lounge in the urban wine area off of Vasco Road is a terrific spot for nightlife and live music.
Some of the wineries offer clever nonalcoholic beverages and many have trails for touring the grounds or even activities such as bocce ball. And don’t forget the award-winning public and private golf courses adjacent to the vineyards.
Livermore Wine Community, the hidden gem of Livermore Valley, is a testament to the state’s flourishing wine culture with over a century of viticultural history. The region represents a delicate fusion of heritage and innovation, manifested through deeply rooted tradition that audaciously embraces the future. A visit here provides a captivating wine journey like no other, far surpassing expectations.
Plan your trip
The Livermore Wine Community created seven suggested itineraries (visit LVwine. org) for wine tours, each starting from a different location. Only a half an hour or so drive from Silicon Valley, it’s a perfect day out. Or make a getaway out of it by staying overnight at one of the boutique inns or nearby partner hotels.