Savoring Earth Day: Livermore’s Sustainable Wineries

Rezlaff Vineyards during Sauvignon Blanc Harvest

As Earth Day approaches, it’s a wonderful time to reflect on our planet’s beauty and the ways we can protect it. One way to celebrate this occasion is by enjoying wines from Livermore Valley, California, where several wineries are committed to sustainable practices that not only produce exceptional wines but also protect our environment for generations to come. When choosing sustainable winery options for Earth Day celebrations, consider renowned vineyards like Concannon, Murrieta’s Well, Retzlaff, and Wente, each committed to eco-friendly practices that protect our planet while producing exceptional wines. Read More

5 Ways to Celebrate California Wine Month in Livermore Valley

Today marks the start of California Wine Month, that’s 30 whole days celebrating my favorite thing: California wine!  My only question is, why not 31 days?  Lucky for you, I’ve found a way to remedy that.  Here are five ways to celebrate California Wine Month.

  • Harvest Wine Celebration. Kick off the month and spend Labor Day Weekend with wineries, food trucks and bands!  Tickets are on sale online through noon Saturday, but you can get your tickets at any participating wineries on Sunday.  Check out the details!
  • The Winemakers Studio at Wente Vineyards. Try your hand at winemaking!  This class will walk you through different components of wine tasting.  Take home your very own blend of wine!
  • Try a new winery. Did you know that there are more than 50 wineries in Livermore Valley?  Stop by one that you have been meaning to try.  Many wineries have special activities and deals throughout the month.  See the full list of winery activities here!
  • Concannon Cab Camp. For anyone who loves Cabernet Sauvignon, this is the event for you!  The Cab Camp features three different seminars covering everything from clones to the Mother Vine.  Reserve your spot today.
  • Sample wines at the Livermore Airport Open House. On October 1st, so technically not quite California Wine Month, head to the Livermore Airport with 25+ wineries.  Sample wines, check out vintage cars and enjoy an air show.  It’s fun for the whole family!  Details on wine flight packages can be found here.

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    #TBT to TOT

    Taste Our Terroir is less than two months away and I have been daydreaming about this event pretty much since it ended last year.  For those of you who don’t know what this is, here’s a quick rundown.  It’s ten events over four days that focus on Livermore Valley’s terroir.  What is terroir?  I thought the same thing too the first time I saw the word and no, it’s not a dog.  In a nutshell, it’s the characteristic taste and flavor imparted to a wine by the environment in which it is produced.  Check out this quick video for how to pronounce it.

    Alright, now that you’re an expert on terroir, let’s get back to why this event is so incredible.

    First there’s the Annual Quest for Food and Wine Pairing Excellence on Thursday night.  This year there are 18 restaurant and winery teams that will make fabulous food.  I love this as a chance to try a sample from a new restaurant or see how creative some of my regular favorites are.  Check out some pairings from previous years and try not to drool too much on the keyboard.

    The best part about the Thursday evening event is that you get to vote for the team you think has the best red and white pairings.  I’ve seen a sneak peak of what some teams are creating, and let’s just say… yum!  And this is just the beginning of it.

    The weekend events give you some face-to-face time with chefs and winemakers.  You can learn their processes and philosophies.  At the very least, you’ll have some very interesting tidbits to drop at your next dinner party.

    For the foodies, in the past there have been some amazing chef demonstrations and component tastings.  I love watching chefs prepare meals, their little tips help me so much when I’m burning cooking meals in my own kitchen.

    This year, learn how to make the perfect summer risotto with Linda Carucci, author of Cooking School Secrets for Real World Cooks and an event that focuses on different pairings of Brix chocolate and wine.  If you didn’t get enough of the competition on Thursday night, check out the

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    Wente a Premier Place to Wine, Dine, Hit the Back Nine

    Nestled into the canyon along Arroyo Road in the heart of Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is a premier wine country destination. Visitors to the historic property can enjoy wine tasting, tours of the sandstone caves, fine dining and championship golf as well as world-class concerts and private events.

    Wente Vineyards is America’s oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery. In 1883, C. H. Wente, a first-generation immigrant from Germany, purchased 47 acres in the Livermore Valley. Recognizing that the warm days, cool nights and gravelly soils were ideal for growing grapes, he planted vines and founded Wente Vineyards. Today, Wente Family Estates continues to be family owned and operated by the fourth and fifth generations: Eric, Philip, Carolyn, Christine and Karl Wente. The family sustainably farms more than 3,000 acres and is known as California’s “First Family of Chardonnay” for leading development of what has become America’s most popular wine varietal.

    Visitors can taste Wente’s famous Chardonnay and many other award-winning wines at the Vineyard Tasting Room. The expertly led tastings offer an informative glimpse into wine appreciation, and guests can browse the fully stocked gift shop. Be sure to take a tour of the historic sandstone caves (appointment required) and stop to relax on the Terrace Patio.

    Golfers of all abilities are sure to enjoy playing The Course at Wente Vineyards. Designed by golfing great Greg Norman, the 18-hole championship course is a picturesque 7,181-yard, par-72, daily-fee golf course with three distinct topographies: native woodlands, mature vineyards and rolling hills of natural grasslands. Designed for both novice and pro, The Course has hosted the Livermore Valley Wine Country Championship, part of the PGA Tour’s Nationwide Tour. For an exceptional view of the 18th green and surrounding vineyards, visit The Grill, which offers casual fare and a full bar.

    The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards is an elegant place to celebrate your day in Livermore Valley wine country. Executive Chef Matt Greco offers ingredient-driven California wine country cuisine using sustainably and organically grown local ingredients. While his menu holds its foundation in American dishes, it is influenced by French and Italian provincial cuisine. The seasonal menu changes daily, utilizing fresh produce and herbs from The Restaurant’s ½ acre organic garden located on the winery property (watch LVwine.org for garden tours). The wine list offers more than 1,000 selections, providing numerous options for wine pairings.

    Wente also pairs its exquisite wines with music. Every summer for more than 25 years, The Concerts at Wente Vineyards has showcased world-renowned entertainers in the winery’s natural amphitheater. This month’s headliners include Frankie Valli (8/14), Earth Wine & Fire (8/26) and The Beach Boys (8/27).

    Wente’s Vineyard Tasting Room, golf course and restaurants are located at 5050 Arroyo Road in Livermore Valley. Find them online at wentevineyards.com. For help planning your wine tasting trip to Livermore Valley wine country, please visit www.LVwine.org.

    Executive Chef Matt Greco of Wente Vineyards

    The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards Executive Chef Matt Greco is no stranger to the beautiful terroir of Livermore Valley. The restaurant features ingredient-driven California wine country cuisine using sustainably and organically grown local ingredients. Matt works closely with Wente’s master gardener to decide what produce to plant and source for the seasonally changing menu. The Texas native talks with us about bbq, music and his sweet tooth.

     

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