Written by Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association
Top 10 Gems to Show Off Your Hometown to Friends and Family
Happy November! November is a month of gratitude, gathering, and most importantly, family. We are grateful for the many gems we have in the Livermore Valley and want to share some of our favorites with you. Check out Livermore Valley’s Top 10 Gems to Show Off Your Hometown to Friends and Family. Livermore is full of the perfect places and experiences to create memories that will last forever.
1. Pack the Perfect Picnic
Stop by The Cheese Parlor or The Charming Fig to gather gourmet items for a delicious vineyard picnic. With incredible options like these it is a Livermore must do! Brandon Wood, punk rock kid turned professional cheesemonger, opened the Cheese Parlor with the goal to share with Livermore, the passion and joy he’s cultivated in his cheese education. From land to animal to maker to monger he’s “found a collaborative community full of friendship, family, love and support”. The Charming Fig specializes in artfully arranged presentations. They love to wander around local Farmer’s Markets to find seasonal inspiration and are always creating new ideas for their menus based on what’s new in the culinary world. We are lucky to have these two in our Livermore community!
https://www.thecheeseparlor.com
https://charmingfig.com
2. Savor Award-Winning Flavors
Check out Zephyr Grill & Bar, winner of the 2024 Taste Our Terroir’s Most Innovative Pairing. Zephyr is truly a Livemore gem and you will find a fabulous selection of Livermore Valley wine on their menu. Do yourself a favor and indulge at this iconic restaurant.
https://zephyrgrilllivermore.com
3. Visit the New Kids on the Block
Explore exciting newcomers like Pruett Farms Winery, Mitchell Katz, and JMC Cellars. We love to see Livemore history in the making and these three fabulous wineries have a bright future ahead of them! Be sure to stop in to these gems. You are likely to find your new home away from home.
https://www.pruettwine.com
https://mitchellkatzwinery.com
https://jmccellars.wine
4. Indulge in Luxury
Pamper yourself with a stay at The Purple Orchid and elevate your experience with Black Tie Transportation. The Purple Orchid features ten rooms and suites designed for the relaxation and comfort of our guests. Experience the tranquility of a luxury hotel in Northern California as you relax in the modern country rooms complete with fireplaces and private soaking tubs. Unwind in Livermore Wine country as you end your spa filled day being picked up by Black Tie Transportation and travel in style. With Black Tie Transportation you can experience the Livermore Valley Wine Region with ease and relaxation with your very own private chauffeur charter tours through some of the most exclusive wineries. Travel in the utmost comfort and care in one of their BMW 750Li’s featuring an executive rear lounge. Or, for group events, enjoy one of their luxurious Mercedes Sprinters. Sign us up, please!
https://www.purpleorchid.com
https://blacktietrans.com
5. Enjoy Outdoor Seating
Relax and sip at scenic spots like Leisure Street Winery, Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery, and Dante Robere Vineyards. All three outdoor spaces boasts of beautiful setting and relaxed vibes in an inviting space. They are ideal settings to take in all that Livermore has to offer.
https://leisurestreetwinery.com
https://rmwinery.com
https://danterobere.com
6. One-Stop Shop for Wine & Food
Delight in the complete experience at Garré Vineyard & Winery and Garré Café. Be a part of the Garré family and experience old Italy, from their wood burning oven to the scent of fresh baked focaccia and the warmth of our hospitality, setting the mood for a memorable dining experience. The café, nestled inside their new event center Bella Rosa, is surrounded by vineyards, rose gardens and the chef’s herb and vegetable garden. Mediterranean inspired California cuisine will delight your senses and palate.
7. Taste a Little History
Visit Murrieta’s Well and Fenestra Winery for wines with a rich heritage. Livermore is beyond rich with history and at Murriettas Well and Fenestra Winerries, you experience it as soon as you arrive. Murrieta’s Well is one of California’s original wine estates and has been growing grapes since the 1800s. The vineyard was started with cuttings from the famed Chateau d’Yquem and Chateau Margaux vineyards in France; today it continues to produce the highest quality fruit. Fenestra Winery was established by the Replogle family on the historic Ruby Hill property in Pleasanton in 1976 and in 1980 occupied the century-old George True Winery building on Vallecitos Road in Livermore. Livermore Valley’s first boutique winery, Fenestra Winery has celebrated many years of fine wines.
https://murrietaswell.com
https://www.fenestrawinery.com
8. Try Your Urban Side – Explore Vasco Row
Discover unique tasting rooms at Arroyo Cellars, Favalora Vineyards, Free-Range Flower Winery, and Omega Road Winery. Come for the taste, stay for the fun! A lively industrial craft hub of Livermore, California, where breweries, wineries, and distilleries unite to serve up exceptional beverages and endless fun. Experience the artistry of local artisans as they pour their passion into crafting handcrafted brews, exquisite wines, and meticulously distilled spirits. Indulge in culinary delights from food trucks, groove to live music, and explore vibrant vendor fairs showcasing local craftsmanship—a sanctuary where taste, entertainment, and camaraderie converge.
https://www.arroyocellars.com
https://www.freerangeflowerwinery.com
https://www.omegaroadwinery.com/
9. Try Something New
Besides producing award-winning wines, explore port offerings at Bent Creek Winery and Rios-Lovell Estate Winery. With the holidays coming, sharing a bottle of port with family and friends is the perfect way to end a meaningful meal. Port is a beautiful dessert in a bottle, and a must try. Be sure to take the time this holiday season to stop into Bent Creek and Rios Lovell and indulge your senses.
https://www.bentcreekwinery.com
https://www.rioslovellwinery.com
10. Enjoy the View with a Pedego E-Bike Tour
Take an e-bike tour to explore Livermore Valley’s vineyards and scenic views at your own pace. A Pedego electric bike rental is one of the very best ways to experience Historic Livermore Wine Country. The nearby bike trails are safe and breathtakingly beautiful. Visitors always say it’s up there with the most fun and memorable activites of their trip. And locals are surprised to find such an amazing experience right in their own backyard.