How to Enjoy a Day Visiting Wineries in Livermore, California
Bring your taste buds, cash and a friend. You're off to one of the most beautiful, delicious locations in the U.S., home to dozens of great wineries producing plum California varietals. And as a bonus: as one of the easternmost cities of the San Francisco Bay Area, you'll be close enough to San Francisco to pop on the freeway and complete your weekend.
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Instructions
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Wine tastings are not supposed to be opportunities to over-indulge, but even a few tastes can make you sick if your stomach is growling. Therefore, start the day off with a hearty breakfast or lunch at a nearby diner in Livermore.
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Then head over to one of several locations, such as Wente Bros. Estate Tasting Room at 5565 Tesla Road in Livermore. They offer both complimentary and paid tastings every day of the week, as well as free winery tours. Bigger groups are asked to make an appointment for special group tastings.Also at Wente you can amble into the Vineyard Tasting Room, adjacent to the winery's golf course/restaurant and event center.
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Another option is Concannon Vineyards.This is a family-run operation, having been handed down through the generations from an original Irish immigrant, James Concannon. He journeyed from Ireland in 1883 and today, the winery is run by his grandson.You'll enjoy Petite Sirahs, Rhone-styled wines and Bordeaux at this Livermore Valley treasure.
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Check out one of the other 40 or so wineries in Livermore.For example, La Rochelle, which offers something unique among the wineries."While most of the wineries offer the traditional stand at the bar tasting format, La Rochelle was the first in the valley to offer a seated tasting flight with a pairing platter. It is a great experience for the Pinot Noir lover," says Jennifer Fazio of The Steven Kent Winery and La Rochelle Winery.Presumably, this just means you'll sit down while you sip -- a great tip if it's later in the day!
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Finally, don't overdo it. Wine tasting is an art, not a sport. Whatever you do, do not become intoxicated, especially if you are driving.
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Tips & Warnings
There are 43 wineries as members of the Livermore association, but many of the smaller ones are still open on weekends only, so it is a good idea to plan out your trip in advance and call to confirm that the particular wineries you want to visit will in fact be open.
Many of the tasting rooms now charge tasting fees, and this information is accessible on the LVwine.org website as well.
Take a walk in the beautiful Livermore Valley and enjoy the rolling hillside. If you're from parts east, get back on I-5 and head home, past the wind machines and cows and endless miles of tumbleweeds. You won't soon forget the lush vineyards of Livermore.
Don't sip and drive.
