At Rodrigue Molyneaux, they believe that the great wine must come from great grapes. Nancy & Garry Rodrigue see to it that their grapes recieve intensive monitoring of the watering and pruning techniques. These farming practices keeps the yield down to three tons or less per acre. Although the yield will be smaller, the grapes will be larger with more fruit flavor. This is the reason Rodrigue Molyneaux red wines are so robust with a fruit-driven complex flavor.
A nice find as we were wine tasting in Livermore last weekend. As you drive into the parking lot, you immediately forget about everything since the grounds are so gorgeous. There's even an outside patio where you can enjoy your wine and a packed lunch you may have brought with you. The tasting room is HUGE! The staff was super friendly and helpful, especially since we'd never been to McGrail before though I have enjoyed their Cabernet Sauvginon before this visit.
McGrail Vineyards proudly sits high on the rolling hills of the Livermore Valley and offers wine tasting daily! Visit McGrail Vineyards for several wine tasting experiences or to enjoy a glass of wine while taking in the exceptional views.
Open daily from 11:00AM – 5:00PM, last reservation at 3:30PM. Reservations are available for groups up to 6 people. For parties over 6, please call the winery [925-215-0717].
This Family Estate, now in its 4th and 5th generations, was founded by the Viano family in 1920. They purchased the already planted vineyard which was established in 1888. It reminded them of their vineyards in Piedmont, Italy. This area, once so rich in grapes, was named Vine Hill and home to more than 15 wineries.
Some of the original vines still remain while the balance of the vineyard has been expanded and replanted to keep up with new world tastes and desires. Using the most natural, cultural practices possible, combined with traditional winemaking techniques, which includes natural yeast and aging in small oak cooperage, we bring you these fine handcrafted wines.
For those who cherish California wines and the experience of visiting its picturesque wineries, the story of Bent Creek Winery is truly inspiring. In 1981, Tom Heineman and his wife, Pat, fulfilled their dream of land ownership by purchasing 12 acres in Livermore, CA, with the intention of cultivating grapes for local wineries. Their journey began with viticulture classes at UC Davis, leading to the establishment of Bent Creek Vineyard.
After several years of selling their grapes to Livermore wineries, Tom and Pat teamed up with friends Rich and Carol Howell to take their passion a step further. The two couples delved into enology at UC Davis, turning their vision into reality by opening Bent Creek Winery in 2002. Their commitment to quality quickly paid off, as they began producing award-winning wines.
At Bent Creek, the owners are hands-on in every aspect of wine production—from nurturing the vines and processing the grapes to welcoming guests in the tasting room. Currently, eight to nine of the original 12 acres are in production, featuring 6,000 thriving vines. The winery proudly produces around 3,500 cases of exceptional wine each year, inviting wine lovers to savor the fruits of their labor.
Brett Caires, a self-made realtor, chef, and winemaker, hails from the stock of wine connoisseurs. BoaVentura Baptiste de Caires, Brett’s grandfather and the winery’s namesake, handed down a passion for relishing good wine. Brett recalls family meals with his Oakland, California-based grandparents, where wine was always a staple at the dinner table: “The table was set with glasses of wine, port, and milk.” To boot, according to family legend, Brett’s great grandfather, Antonio de Caires, was deported during Prohibition for winemaking after he brought his family to America. A devotion to his family heritage was a natural inspiration for Brett to cultivate his own knowledge of winemaking.
Through the influence of family, friends, and fellow winemakers, including Karl Wente, Noah Taylor, and Bob Taylor, Brett learned about the art of making wine. On a trip with Karl to Europe in 1997 – through France, Greece, Portugal, and England – he sampled regional wines, amassing knowledge that would later help him produce his first Cabernet, made available to the public in 2002.
On April 29, 1999, Brett realized his dream of owning a winery when he and his wife, Monique, purchased a five-acre property perched atop a sunny ridge in the southeast corner of Livermore Valley, California.
The Purple Orchid Wine Country Resort & Spa 4549 Cross Road Livermore, CA, 94550, USA
Much of the beauty of Retzlaff Vineyards lies in its commitment to organic practices. As a pioneer in organic grape growing, Retzlaff stands out as the only California Certified Organic vineyard in the greater San Francisco Bay region, making it a must-visit for wine lovers.
The vineyard’s dedication to organic methods, along with meticulous canopy management and vineyard health, results in wines of exceptional quality. Visitors can savor the authenticity and complexity of wines crafted from grapes that are free from chemical residues.
The clean, bright, and evenly ripened fruit translates into fresh, delightful wines that showcase the true nature of each grape varietal. The winemaker often likens their approach to savoring an organic, sun-kissed peach plucked directly from the tree, striving to ensure that each berry in the vineyard embodies that perfect peach experience. For California wine enthusiasts, a visit to Retzlaff Vineyards promises not only exquisite wines but also a deep appreciation for the beauty of organic viticulture.
Image - Saman Teher - Pixabay
Although Caddis is new it is quickly becoming one of my favorite wineries in Livermore. The winemaker Chris has had years if experience in the Livermore Valley and it shows in his wines. It's no surprise the Caddis took home a number of Chronicle wine awards, their wines is phenomenal! Caddis is located next to Wood Family and are only open a select amount of days throughout the year. Just a quick update. Caddis Wines now has two locations, in Livermore and Sonoma.
Caddis Sonoma Plaza
Guests are invited to enjoy a tasting of small lot wines from Sonoma County and the Livermore Valley. Caddis Sonoma Plaza is open daily from 11 AM to 5 PM, with extended hours on occasion. While walk-ins are welcome, reservations are recommended. Parties are limited to a maximum of 8 guests.
Caddis Livermore
Currently, Caddis Livermore is open for public tastings on 7 weekends each year. For more details on tastings and openings throughout the year, visitors should check the Special Events tab. Any questions can be directed to (707) 931-6939.
Read our guide to Livermore Wines and Wineries
Grape Cluster - Pixabay
Founded more than 125 years ago, Wente Vineyards is the country’s oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery. Today, the winery maintains its leadership role in California winegrowing under ownership and management by the Fourth and Fifth Generations of the Wente family. Blending traditional and innovative winemaking practices, the winery draws from approximately 3,000 acres of sustainably farmed Estate vineyards to create an outstanding portfolio of fine wines. Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations, featuring wine tasting, fine dining and championship golf.
After 35 years of production there have been many changes at Page Mill, but our focus remains constant..... "Peace through wine, one glass at a time" Page Mill Winery offers more than a dozen wines from local vineyards as well as appellations across the state. The winery is located in the Livermore Valley within minutes of the downtown shopping district
