Livermore is an underrated California wine destination (and, spoiler alert, my hometown)—one that has always celebrated an approachable experience.
Tastings here tend to be lower cost and friendly. Reservations aren’t always needed, and winemakers are often seen rubbing elbows with guests.
While there are plenty of routine tasting experiences in the Valley, these 10 experiences are about more than just the wine, with opportunities for hiking, music, comedy, and more.
Wine Hikes at Murrieta’s Well
Murrieta’s Well is owned by the historic Wente family, an offshoot of the famed Wente label. Located less than 10 minutes away from the original in the rolling hills of Livermore’s Mines Road, the tasting room feels equal parts dreamy and rustic, with a small-town luxury Livermore has mastered.
While there are many experiences here, from simple tasting flights to food and wine pairings with scrumptious flatbread pizzas and chocolate pie, seasonal wine hikes truly set the property apart. Hiking happens at midday or at sunset (the latter being my personal preference). You show up to the tasting room, select your bottle of choice (zarzuela for me), then start your trek to the top of the (reasonable) hill. Once there, cozy chairs face out over the vistas and your chosen wine is corked and ready to enjoy alongside charcuterie. The experience is both intimate and romantic with tiny tables set for each group.
// 3005 Mines Rd. (Livermore), murrietaswell.com
Concannon(Ron Essex Photography)
Comedy at Concannon
Concannon is another big name producer from Livermore with a sprawling historic estate, and coming by for tastings is always a celebratory affair. Most wineries close down early, so the fact that the Late Pour at Concannon—a ticketed comedy show—is held after hours is a treat. Grab a glass—perhaps featuring the Concannon clones 7, 8, or 11—and get ready to laugh. The comedians are a talented bunch that aren’t afraid to go there.
// 4590 Tesla Rd. (Livermore), concannon.wine
The Winemaker's Home Patio (Literally) at Steven Kent on 2nd
Steven Kent is a well-known producer with a larger vineyard in the Livermore hills, but it’s the winery’s new tasting room located on 2nd Street—the patio of the winemakers’ family home—that caught our eye. Opened in February just steps from downtown, this community gathering spot offers the perfect venue to savor a glass before dinner—and if you don’t know where to eat, staff is happy to offer suggestions.
Serving exclusively Steven Kent wines, the lounge offers many sips not for sale at the larger venue, including rare choices from their library. Known mostly for cabernet franc, including a franc blanc (yes, a white wine made from the cabernet franc grape), you can also buy a bottle here and take your time. The tasting room is close enough to hear the music wafting over from the Bankhead Theater during summer.
If you’ve ever dreamed of tasting all of Livermore’s cabernet francs in one place, Steven Kent Winery is also behind the annual Cab Franc-A-Palooza. Held this year on May 31st at Purple Orchid (4549 Cross Rd.), the region’s boutique resort and spa, Cab Franc-A-Palooza welcomes dozens of proprietors to pour their wines for the masses.
// 209 McLeod St. (Livermore), stevenkent.com
Wood Family Vineyards(Ron Essex Photography)
Fun Fridays at Wood Family Vineyards
If you want a rowdier Wine Country experience, look no further than Fun Fridays at Wood Family Vineyards. Each week, the winery invites a rotating roster of live musicians and food trucks to the venue tucked away in the industrial park off of Vasco Road. The environment is loud and filled with laughter and dancing.
Livermore is known at least in part for its cabernet franc, and Wood Family serves a delightful rendition of the bold and earthy varietal. Of course, the list of available wines is long, featuring whites, reds, and rosés, including big zins and cabernet sauvignons, as well as a blend titled The Runway—a nod to the owner, Rhonda Wood, who was a commercial pilot before she became a winemaker.
// 2407 Research Dr. (Livermore), woodfamilyvineyards.com
Pruett Estate Winery(Ron Essex Photography)
Farm Animals at the Pruett Estate Winery
In the middle of suburban Livermore, a farm seems to pop up out of nowhere on East Avenue. Pruett Estate Winery’s tasting room is located on the property, which also houses Polish Frickles (chickens and roosters that look like they could form their own 80s hairband at a moment’s notice), an alpaca, and horses.
In between visiting the residents—don’t forget the duo of door greeters, the winery dogs—sample a long line-up of chardonnays and other varietals. Winemaker Bob Pruett is keen on an Old World style that challenges California’s buttery, oaky versions. Learn about his personal winemaking process while sipping.
// 5385 East Ave. (Livermore), pruettwine.com
Concerts at Almost Famous Wine Lounge
Almost Famous is Darcie Kent Estate’s late-night lovechild. The music venue-meets-tasting-room doesn’t feel like it belongs to Livermore’s Pleasantville aesthetic—in the best way possible. From the outside it looks unassuming, just another tasting room on the urban Vasco Road strip. But inside, when the lights are low on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, you’re in for a treat!
This isn’t your typical live music at a winery event; this evening-only venue offers ticketed concerts with large followings. The stage lights and sound quality are nothing short of a high-end concert venue, and the best part is you can sip through 15 possible wines, available by the glass or bottle.
// 2271 S. Vasco Rd., Unit D (Livermore), almostfamous.wine
Bingo at McGrail Vineyards & Winery(Courtesy of @mcgrail_vineyards)
Book Club, Bingo, Bocce Ball + More at McGrail Vineyards & Winery
McGrail keeps a full social calendar, so choosing one experience is difficult. Throughout any given month the winery hosts everything from Tuesday night book club to winemaker dinners.
Live music weekends feel like a party that everyone is invited to. The environment is electric (and outside when the weather allows), with a food truck in case you get peckish. While glasses and bottles are available, you can also try part of the tasting line-up while rocking out. McGrail’s is family friendly and the lawn is outfitted with bocce ball courts.
// 5600 Greenville Rd. (Livermore), mcgrailvineyards.com
Ethnic Food Pairing at Wente Family Vineyards
Wine and food pairings may not be a novel idea, but at Wente, they focus on ethnic fare not found abundantly in the area’s tasting rooms, paying homage to the winery’s founding family and its subsequent generations. Pairings are subject to change but may include Peruvian ceviche with sauvignon blanc, rich samosas with the famous Wente Clone Chardonnay (the clone makes up over 75 percent of California chardonnay), and harissa-marinated steak skewers with a crisp rosé.
The food pairing is just one of many experiences available at Wente, which include a summer concert series, meals hosted in the property’s historic wine cave, and a black glass tasting that adds another level of challenge to a traditional blind tasting.
// 5050 Arroyo Rd. (Livermore), wentevineyards.com
Del Valle Winery(Courtesy of @delvalleywinerylivermore)
Full Menu at Del Valle Winery
Not your typical small bites, the kitchen at Del Valle Winery turns out a full menu of spectacular dishes including a pepperoni and hot honey flatbread and seared ahi with coriander and fennel crust. The menu is extensive, and instead of serving its dishes as pairings, Del Valle’s atmosphere is more like the offspring of a restaurant and a winery. On Friday nights, a separate menu is offered around the firepit.
Located on Tesla Road, just steps from Livermore’s rustic countryside, the wines do anything but pale in comparison. Accessible price points (even without a wine club membership) add to the long list of appealing qualities.
// 4948 Tesla Rd. (Livermore), delvallewinery.com
Killer Views at Darcie Kent Estate Winery
Perhaps the best view in the valley, this Darcie Kent’s Franc & Blanc gets special mention largely because of its location inside Bing’s Barn, a bucolic building overlooking miles of hills and vineyards. The flight itself is made up of small-lot, hand-crafted wines focused on minimal intervention and produced by Darcie Kent, a fifth-generation vintner and artist. It’s a showcase for Livermore’s best-known varietal, cabernet franc, as well as a selection of whites.
// 7000 Tesla Rd., Ste. A (Livermore), darciekent.wine
