I recently had the opportunity to do some wine tasting in the Livermore Valley. Most people know Livermore for their new outlet mall or national laboratory, but this area is home to some very old wine. Before California was even a state, Robert Livermore was out planting wine grapes. Amazingly, he planted them in Livermore Valley! He was later joined by Mr. Wente and Concannon to create a thriving wine region just off Interstate 580 heading to the Bay Area.
First stop was the Wente Vineyards along Tesla Road. It was named for Nikola Tesla, although there are probably a few Tesla Model S electric cars driving there these days. The place is very beautiful with outdoor gardens, fountains and art, and even a bocce court. They are famous for their Chardonnay, although their reds are pretty good too. Livermore has a climate similar to most of the inner coastal regions of California with its own peculiar soils. Wente does not focus on the buttery, oaky Chardonnay, but produces a more fruit-forward wine.
Lots of people were having fun at Concannon Vineyard. For being a grandfather of California wine, the place still attracts the young. Concannon has a different style than Wente and focuses on several good red blends in their tasting room. The wineries charge a tasting fee, but this is an unfortunate consequence of modern wine tasters not actually buying the wine! Both vineyards host many events during the summer. Concannon has a beautiful old house in the vineyard that I am sure hosts a lot of events.
These vineyards in Livermore are literally in someone's backyard; Livermore is a suburb of San Francisco & San Jose. Nevertheless, the grapes were here first for good reason. Do yourself a favor and try them out if you are ever in the region. The experience is much more humble than Napa and a lot easier on the pocketbook. Please enjoy the rest of my pictures below.
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