Sonoma and Napa Valley are obviously the famous wine regions in California, but Livermore Valley wine country is producing some really wonderful wine. If you’re looking for a super relaxed wine trip that’s more affordable, you’ll want to spend a weekend in the Tri-Valley area exploring the wine region out there.
I live in San Francisco and as a WSET 2 wine expert, I find myself visiting local tasting rooms all the time. After a few trips out to the Bay Area’s wine region, I had to put together a list of the best wine tasting in Livermore for you! Keep reading for all my tips
Where Is Livermore Wine Country?
Livermore is part of the Bay Area of California on the far East side right on the border. If you’ve ever driven from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe, or Los Angeles via the 5, you’ve driven right past the rolling hills of Livermore wine region.
What Wine Is Livermore Known For?
Livermore Valley cultivates over 50 different grape varieties, producing a diverse range of wines but due to the hot hot days and cool nights (aka a diurnal temperature swing), Livermore Valley can easily grow over 50 different grape varieties. But most commonly you will find red wine varietals such as Malbec, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon on tasting menus, along with warm climate Chardonnay.
A few of the wineries we visited offered Viognier, Albariño along with other lesser-known Italian and Spanish varietals, which is a fun departure from what you find in Sonoma or Napa. But, the region is usually too hot to grow finicky Pinot Noir so don’t expect to see that on wine menus.
Why Is Livermore Wine Worth Visiting?
There’s a lot to love about this region. Unlike Napa Valley, which is famously expensive (a couple could easily spend $1k on tastings in a weekend up there), Livermore has more approachable prices for wine tastings.
It’s also laid back, with many family-owned wineries and businesses and often with fun activities beyond wine tastings, such as live music and holiday events.
There’s also a cool wine history aspect to this region. Over 70% of California’s Cabernet Sauvignon vines are clones (aka babies) of Livermore vines. This wine region is one of the oldest in the state and if it wasn’t for the vines planted here in the 1760s by Spanish missionaries, California may not have the booming wine industry it has today.
Best Wine Tasting Spots in Livermore
Now onto the best wine tasting lounges and wineries to visit! I’ve had the pleasure of wine tasting here a lot over the decade I’ve lived in San Francisco, but I also just got back from a trip to the Tri-Valley area and got to fall in love with the countryside here all over again.
1. Murrieta’s Well
This small winery is my absolutely favorite spot in Livermore. It has a stunning tasting room with concrete and chandeliers (why does that combo always work perfectly?!) along with outdoor tasting areas and a patio overlooking the vines.
Plus, as you’re sipping away you can know you’re in the presence of winemaking history. Murrieta’s Well dates back to 1884 when Its founder, Louis Mel, planted cuttings from renowned French vineyards like Chateau d’Yquem and Chateau Margaux, some of which are still present on the property.
Robin and I had a chance to attend their autumn winemaker’s dinner where we met Robbie Meyer, the estate vineyard wine maker, and dine on a 4-course meal paired with their award-winning wines.
Their 2 most popular wines are The Spur (red blend featuring Portuguese grape varieties Souzao and Touriga Nacional) and their Petite Verdot, though my favorite was their Malbec. Since these wines are only available at the winery, I took a bottle home.
2. Cuda Ridge Wines
Relevenatily new on the scene (established 2007), Larry and Margie Dino have made Cuda Ridge Wines known for its family-friendly ambiance and small-lot, handcrafted wines inspired by Bordeaux. And they really do mean family – it’s not uncommon to spot a Dino family member roaming about or working the tasting room when you visit.
I adore Bordeaux-style wines so insist you try their Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. But you’ll also want to sample their S&M, a distinctive blend of Sangiovese and Merlot.
3. Concannon Vineyard
You can’t miss Concannon Vineyard when driving around Livermore as they are right next to the huge production facility of the Wine Group (the group that makes Big Names like Franzia and Chloe).
But, Concannon is still very much a small winery that puts out mighty wines. When the weather is nice, you’ll do your tasting outside under the shade of trees. Not only is this winery cute, but there’s a lot of history here to discover
Concannon holds the distinction of bottling the first single-varietal Petite Sirah in the United States, and they are also the longest-operating winery in the state. When everyone else had to close production for a few years around the Prohibition Era, local monks contracted Concannon to make wine for their services, thus they never had to to close.
But that’s not all – Concannon Vineyard played a crucial role in shaping California’s wine landscape. It was here that cuttings from Chateau Margaux in Bordeaux were planted, eventually leading to the development of the widely-planted Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 8 where over 70% of the state’s vines today came from.
4. Wood Family Vineyards
Wood Family Vineyards has a vibe reminiscent of visiting a friend’s house. Run by a mother-son duo, Rhonda and Harrison Wood, the winery prides itself on its approachable and laid-back ambiance (seriously, forget the stuffy wine-tasting room stigma, they want people to relax here!)
Wood Family has a distinctive winemaking style you need to try. Their Grenache is probably the most popular varietal, but their GSM blend (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) showcases the winery’s commitment to producing well-rounded wines.
6. Darcie Kent Estate Winery
Housed in an iconic purple barn, this family-owned and operated winery (run by 5th and 6th generation winegrowers!) is known for its stunning vineyard views and unique wine offerings. Darice Kent Estate is particularly known for being the only winery in Livermore Valley that cultivates Grüner Veltliner, an Austrian grape variety.
I can’t even tell you a single winery in California that grows this other than Darcie Kent, and I’ve been to many. They offer both a sparkling and still Grüner Veltliner and proceeds of this wine’s sales are actually donated to Doctors Without Borders, which is pretty cool.
They also are a rare winery that grows Pinot Noir in Livermore Valley. Pinot Noir requires cooler climates to grow, and it’s a challenging grape since it’s very fragile. But the team here pulls it off!!
6. Wente Vineyards
Wente Vineyards is the daddy of wineries in the area. When you think of Livermore wine tasting, you think of Wente. But, don’t be fooled – Wente isn’t like the Big Boys of Napa where the vineyards are owned by mega corporations.
The Wente family has been making wine for 5 generations. I even had the pleasure to meet Jordan Wente, a 5th generation Wente, at a wine dinner recently!
The Wente tasting room is beautiful and has a sprawling outdoor seating area. My go-to wine to take home is the 2020 Cabernet Franc.
7. McGrail Vineyards and Winery
McGrail Vineyards and Winery has breathtaking views of the Livermore Valley and there’s nothing I love more than wine tasting on high places. There’s also a large, open grass area ideal for picnics, making it a popular choice for a lunch-time tastings.
The winery offers both red and white wines but is most known for their estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon which they’ve been growing since 2005. You have to try it!
8. 3 Steves Winery
3 Steves Winery has a huge outdoor area for tastings and welcome families to come and enjoy the area. There’s frequently food trucks on sight for lunch and they have special events with music or even comedy shows.
They offer a unique wine called Cabernet Pfeffer blend, which is rarely seen on tasting menus so make sure you try it! The Cabernet Pfeffer grape adds a bit of pepper and cherry to the wine, making it have a little more kick than your average Cab Sauv.
9. Fenestra Winery
The Replogle family behind Fenestra has been making wines in Livermore since 1976 and have earned many awards in those years.
There’s always something happening at Fenestra, such as music, yoga and even including the occasional Drag Show! They also have a winery dog, Indy, that you may see when visiting for your tasting.
10. Retzlaff Vineyards & Winery
Looking for an organic winery? Retzlaff is for you! As a Certified Organic vineyard, the team uses no pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides to make their wines.
As lovers of the earth and creatures, they are dog friendly and also kid friendly. They usually have food trucks on the weekend so I recommend you come with a picnic and split a bottle of wine with your group to make the most out of your visit. I really like their Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon which has nice hints of leather (yum!)
11. Boa Ventura de Caires Winery
Boa Ventura de Caires Winery stands out for its pet-friendly environment. The presence of friendly dogs, a chicken coop, and a spacious lawn gives this winery a very different, laid back country feel I adore.
Their grapes are handpicked, their production is small and everything is done with intention here. I recommend trying their Syrah.
Journey On The Livermore Wine Trolley
Yes, there’s a wine trolley in Livermore!! If you’ve ever wanted to do the Napa Wine Train, and then quickly backpedaled when you saw the price of the wine train, then you need to check out the Wine Trolley.
You’ll get to ride in this adorable trolley all over Livermore to 3 different wineries. The team is so nice, they’ll play music and hand out water, and every tasting is paired with food. Robin and I just did this tour a few weeks ago and had a blast getting to explore Livermore wine country in a new way, all without driving.
I hope this helps you plan a fantastic wine weekend to Livermore. If you have any questions or wineries to add, drop a comment below!!
