DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF CALIFORNIA’S TRI-VALLEY AND LIVERMORE WINE COUNTRY
By Cori Solomon
Travel writer Cori Solomon shares her wine tasting adventures in Livermore Valley and the Tri-Valley region, an area united together by one of California’s older wine regions, that dates back to the 1800s, on Big Blend Radio.
You might think they are sleepy bedside communities outside of Oakland and San Francisco, but the Tri-Valley offers a lot more. Composed of three valleys, Amador Valley, Livermore Valley and San Ramon Valley that merge below Mt Diablo. The area includes the cities of Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, San Ramon, and Danville. Each one features a charming town center with its own unique character and a plethora of bars and restaurants. The area is united together by one of California’s older wine regions, and its history goes back to the 1800s.
Livermore was named for Robert Livermore who settled in the area in the 1840s. Besides the wine industry, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory resides within its boundaries. Later in the 1850s, Pleasanton was established. Dublin got its name from the Irish immigrants that settled in the area. The cities of San Ramon and Danville are relatively newer communities.
Two Livermore wineries played an important role in California’s Wine history, Wente and Concannon. Both established roots in Livermore in the late 1800s. In addition, they represent the foundation and the backbone of two varietals. Cabernet Sauvignon for Concannon and Chardonnay for Wente. If a winery produces Chardonnay, there is a good chance their grape vines are a Wente Clone; the same is true of Cabernet as the mother vine to Cabernet Sauvignon Clones 7, 8 and 11 came from Concannon. During Prohibition Wente and Concannon stayed afloat making sacramental wine. After Prohibition, many wineries across California came to Wente and Concannon for cuttings.
Wente and Concannon were not the first wineries in Livermore. Charles Wetmore, the Secretary of the CA Viticultural Commission, established the first winery in Livermore, Cresta Blanca Vineyards. In 1889, Wetmore’s dry white wine brought attention to California as a wine-producing region when it won the Grand Prix at the International Paris Exposition. Livermore wineries had many more achievements that make them a standout in California. Concannon was the first to create Petite Sirah as a single varietal.
Unique to the area is its east-west orientation. Afternoon and evening breezes from the San Francisco Bay create diurnal temperature swings, ideally suited for growing grapes. The soils are typically gravel based.
Established in 1982, the Livermore Valley AVA now features over 50 wineries. Many play a significant role in today’s wine industry.
One, in particular, is Steven Kent Winery. Steve Mirassou comes from a long-standing family in the industry. They established themselves in the Santa Clara Valley in the 1800s. Today Steve owns one of the most prestigious vineyards in the valley, the Ghielmetti Estate Vineyard. The vineyard is known for its Bordeaux varietals especially Cabernet Sauvignon. The Lineage label showcases many of the fine wines produced from this vineyard and exemplifies Steve’s mission of creating Cabernet that rivals some of the best throughout the world.
Other Livermore Valley Wineries
When three friends all with the name Steve decided to make wine, the result is the 3 Steves Winery. Their mission, “3 Friends Striving To Make The Perfect Wine” and they certainly come pretty close with lots of humor added.
Nottingham Cellars represents one of the wineries that take up space in an industrial complex. Like its more contemporary venue, Winemaker Collin Cranor brings a younger and fresh look to the winemaking process. Specializing in Bordeaux varietals including a dynamite stand-alone Petit Verdot. For Collin, he makes left bank wines that “flirt the line.”
Not only does Darcie Kent Winery offer spectacular views, but her wine labels feature Darcie’s beautiful artwork. The tasting room showcases her wine and also acts as a gallery for Darcie’s artwork. Colorful is a dominating motif in both the wines and the art.
Dante Roberre Vineyards specializes in reds. Like many winemakers Dan and Rob, two friends, started in their backyard. One thing led to another, and they opened their winery in 2015.
Wood Family Vineyards started after Rhonda Wood, a pilot with US Airways, began making beer during her pregnancy leave in 1991. She started by planting vines in her backyard and then purchased a vineyard in 1995, soon after she and her husband discovered the Livermore Valley. Today, as a self-taught winemaker, Wood primarily specializes in bold reds.
Las Positas Vineyards specializes in varietals that include Spanish, French and Italian. In many cases, they create some outstanding, unique blends, that may be unfamiliar to most wine enthusiasts. These blends make the winery stand out from others.
Visiting the Tri-Valley
Besides winery hopping around Livermore, there is a lot more to do. The towns of Livermore, Pleasanton, and Danville have charming town centers making it fun to stroll the streets, pop in and out of stores and galleries or sit down for a bite to eat.
One must make the time to visit the Black Hawk Museum in Danville. With revolving auto exhibits, car buffs will certainly enjoy a visit. The museum also houses other exhibits including the Spirit of the Old West, Art of Africa and Into China
Staying in the Tri-Valley
Visiting the Tri-Valley over the years for dog shows I have stayed at many pet-friendly hotels including the Hilton, Marriott and more. Recently I discovered The Rose Hotel in Pleasanton. The owner, NFL Coach John Madden established this upscale hotel in 2001. If one is looking for luxury, The Rose Hotel is the place to stay with its host of amenities and attention to detail.
My most recent visit, I stayed at the Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, an extended stay hotel. The rooms are nice and spacious as well as comfortable. The location is ideal for getting to any city or winery in the Tri-Valley.
Dining in the Tri-Valley
A trip to the area must include a visit to the Restaurant at Wente. It is considered the best in the area. Another enjoyable restaurant is the Zephyr Grill and Bar. For Tapas there is Sabio on Main in Pleasanton. For breakfast, brunch or lunch try Danville Harvest featuring farm to table cuisine.
Finally, the Tri-Valley is close enough to San Francisco that you can ride the Bart from Dublin and enjoy a day in the city without worrying about parking the car, paying the higher hotel prices or garaging fees.
To plan your visit, go to https://www.LVWine.org/ and https://VisitTriValley.com/.
Cori Solomon is an award-winning freelance writer/photographer who resides in Los Angeles, California with her husband and Salukis. Her writing focuses on travel, art, food, wine and pets. Cori’s background is real estate and art. Being an animal artist, art plays a role in her articles as she utilizes the palette both visually and verbally. Cori shares her experiences and joy of her subjects in a passionate, candid, caring and entertaining way. Like her art, she looks beyond the eyes to find an animal’s inner soul/spirit; Cori attempts to find the story lying behind the scenes. Often traveling with dogs in tow, many articles are pet-friendly. More at www.WrittenPalette.com
