Wine Along The 101
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    • 2023 Articles >
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour 2022, A Brief Look at the Complex World of Italian Wine
      • A Night of Sicilian Wine, Spotlighting Cambria and Madaudo Wineries
      • Yealands Wines, “Think Boldly, Tread Lightly”, Leading the World Toward Sustainable Winemaking
    • 2022 Articles >
      • Further Defining the Single Vineyard Cru Wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, the Rise of the MGA
      • The Barolo Cru Wines of Beni di Batasiolo
      • Pyros Wines Sparks World-Class Malbec
      • AlloraVino Imports, a Love Affair with Italian Wine
      • Maisons Marques & Domaines Wine Portfolio: Prestige, Glamour and Good Taste for the Holidays
      • The Original Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI, a Condiment and a Culture
      • Rocca delle Macìe, Taking Chianti Classico to New Heights
      • Alluring and Iconic, The World of Chianti Wines
      • Paso Robles Weaves a Thrilling Tapestry of World-Class Wine
      • LXV Wines, The Spice of Paso Robles
      • The Mouthwatering Sauvignon Blancs of Chile
      • The Wines of Portugal, Discover a World of Difference
      • Domaines Albert Bichot, An Exceptional Approach to Burgundian Wine
      • The Wines of Abruzzo Undergo a Renaissance of Quality
      • Ketcham Estate, Exceptional Wines From The Heart of the Russian River Valley
      • La Rioja Alta, S.A., Innovation and Tradition That Stands the Test of Time
      • Vega Sicilia Celebrates 40 Years of Winemaking Excellence
      • Planeta of Sicily Embraces the Past While Reaching For the Future
      • The Spirit of Renaissance is Alive and Well in “South of Somewhere”
      • Gambero Rosso Returns to LA, With the Best of Italian Wines
      • Falanghina and Aglianico del Taburno, Sannio's Ancient Wine Stars
      • Tablas Creek Vineyard Embraces Regenerative Organic Farming
    • 2021 Articles >
      • Make Merry With Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Wines
      • Discover These Enchanting Italian Wines, From the Fog of Piedmont to the Island Breezes of Sardinia
      • Rodney Strong Vineyards and Winery, Revitalizing an Iconic Brand
      • Thanksgiving Tips for the Best Wine and Food Pairing
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wine Country Oasis
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wonderland of Wine
      • Smith-Madrone Wines, a Napa Valley Pioneer Celebrates Fifty Years of Excellence
      • Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the Land of Pinot Noir
      • Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Southern Oregon
      • BARRA of Mendocino Wines, an Original Organic Wine Play
      • The Opulent and Thrilling Wines of Denner Vineyards
      • L’Ecole No. 41, Expressive Wines That Pass the Test of Time With Flying Colors
      • France's Loire Valley, a Fairytale Land of Storybook Castles and Magical Wines
      • Craft Wine, Shining the Spotlight on America’s Small Wine Producers
    • 2020 Articles >
      • Margerum Wine Company, the Nexus of Sublime Santa Barbara County Wines
      • Catena Zapata, Malbec on High
      • Long Meadow Ranch, the Circle of Life in a Glass of Wine
      • Fontanafredda Barolo Forges a New Future
      • Bordeaux Wine 2017, Surprises in a Challenging Vintage
    • 2019 Articles >
      • The Rising Wine Country of Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley
      • Discover Ashland and the Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon's Serenade to the Good Life
      • Napa Valley Grille, New Fall Menu Paired with European Wines
      • Embrace Your Wine Geek with PRIE Winery & Vineyards
      • Castello di Albola, Chianti Classico on High
      • Nicolas-Jay Wines, the Journey of a Lifetime
      • The Expanding Complexity of New Zealand Wine
      • Prosecco DOC, Splendor in the Glass
      • On the Oregon Wine Trail
      • Albariño and Rioja Star in Spain’s Great Match
      • Exciting and Eclectic, the Wines of Alentejo
      • Blaufränkisch Propels the Red Wines of Austria Into the Spotlight
      • Fascinating Greek Wines of the Cava Spiliadis Collection
      • Revolution In Rioja Wine
    • 2018 Articles >
      • Temecula Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Winemaking
      • The Stellar Wines of Sardinia
      • Italian Wines Prescribed by Doctor Wine
      • The Alluring Wines of Tunisia
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2018
      • Velenosi Wines, From Le Marche to the World
      • Sauvignon Blanc, a Rising Star in Napa Valley
      • Frank Family Vineyards Celebrates 25 Years
      • Markus Wine Co., Sleek New Red Wines Up the Ante for Lodi Reds
      • Lodi Wine, Over 100 Varieties Strong
      • Ramona Valley Wine Country, an Up and Coming Wine Region
      • Hertelendy Vineyards, the Pursuit of Excellence
      • Napa Valley Wine, Nirvana in a Bottle
      • Wine Stroll: Explore Downtown Paso Robles Wineries
      • The Beautiful Shades of Lodi Rosé Wines
      • Doubling Down on Gold Medal Wines: The San Francisco International Wine Competition
      • The Exotic Wines of Lebanon
      • Australian Wines, Rediscover the New Frontier
      • New Zealand Wines, Expanding beyond Sauvignon Blanc
      • Visit France in 2018, a Feast of Food, Wine, Culture and History
      • Bordeaux Wine 2015, A Very Good Year
      • Portugal's Treasure Chest of Wines
      • Livermore Valley, California’s Original Wine Country Reborn
      • Concannon and Wente Vineyards, California’s Pioneers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
      • Livermore Valley Wine Country, the Future Looks Bright
    • 2017 Articles >
      • Viña Ardanza Rioja Turns 75, an Enchanting Wine Gets Even Better
      • The VIP Sparkle of Prosecco Superiore
      • Lodi Wine Country, Seriously Good Wine From A to Z
      • Lodi Wine Country, Old Vines and Great Wines
      • Lodi Wine Country, Winegrowers and Winemakers Focused on the Future
      • Lugana White Wine, Better With Age
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip to LA
      • Sweetzer Cellars, a Life Changing Journey of Wine
      • Lugana and Valpolicella, the Yin and Yang of the Veneto
      • Three R’s of Summer Wine, Rosé, Riesling, and Ramato
      • Familia Martínez Bujanda, Wines Without Borders
      • Codorníu Cava, the Ars and Anna Collection
      • New and Exciting Wines from the 2017 Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration
      • Sensual Delights on Display at Savor Italy Los Angeles
      • Pizza and Franco Pepe, Italy’s Best Comes to LA
      • Montes Wines, Wisdom in Wine From Father to Son
      • Passionate Pinot Noir Lovers Unite at the 2017 World of Pinot
      • Vignalta, Wines of the Highest Order
      • Santa Lucia Highlands Sensational Wines
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2017
      • Law Estate Wines: Quality by Design
      • Taittinger and Calvisius: Champagne and Caviar Dreams
      • Riding High on American Rhone Wines, The Rhone Rangers LA Tasting
      • Discover Monterey Wine Country, wine and so much more
      • Wines of Portugal, the Perfect Dinner Companion
      • Gruet's Enchanting Sparkling Wines
    • 2016 Articles >
      • The Art of Italian Living, SoCal Style
      • Wines of Alsace: Perfect for the Holidays
      • Oso Libre Winery; Vines, Wines, and Angus Beef
      • Best Wines for Thanksgiving
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour Sweeps Through Los Angeles
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Chardonnay
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Pinot Noir
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Rhône Varietals
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Bordeaux Varietals
      • Achaval-Ferrer, Exceptional Wines from Argentina
      • Celebration of Harvest Grand Tasting 2016 Highlights
      • The Celebrity Sparkle of Ferrari Trento Wines
      • Santa Barbara Wine Country’s Celebration of Harvest 2016
      • The Garagiste Festival, Off the Beaten Path Wines
      • Explore SLO Wine Country, Central California’s Hidden Gem
      • Byron Winery, The Grand Pinot Noir Experiment
      • Crocker & Starr Wines, Organically Elegant
      • Escape to Santa Maria Wine Country
      • The Elegant White Wines of Domäne Wachau
      • Champagne Palmer: The New Champagne on the Block
      • Holman Ranch & Vineyards: Making Memories & Wine at Romantic California Hideaway
      • Luminous Wines of France's Loire Valley
    • Examiner.com Articles >
      • Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards: Wines Without Compromise
      • All Stars of Pinot Noir Rock the 2016 World of Pinot
      • Ampelos Wines' Biodynamic Brilliance
      • Artisan Uprising: Blood Into Wine
      • Bodegas Beronia Rioja: The Magic of Oak
      • Crawford Family Wines: Unlocking Varietal Flavor
      • Dolin Malibu Estate Vineyards' Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs Shine Bright
      • Hahn Family Wines: Santa Lucia Highlands' Sweet Spot
      • Kimmel Vineyards: Good Wine Flows from Challenging Times
      • Larner Vineyard: Sweet Spot for Syrah and Grenache
      • LOCA for Lodi Wine
      • Lompoc Wine Ghetto
      • Sanford Winery & Vineyards, Delicious Wines That Tell a Tale
      • The Diverse and Divine Wines of Santa Barbara County
      • Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
      • The Stellar Wines of California's Sta. Rita Hills
      • Skinner Vineyards, Destiny and Determination
      • Wines of Portugal, The Art of the Blend
  • Wine Reviews
    • The Dynamic Lavico Etna Wines of Duca di Salaparuta
    • The Sangiovese Stars of San Felice Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, in Can and Bottle
    • Coen Malbec Reserve 2019, a New World Wine with Old World Sensibilities
    • Sangre de Toro Rosé, A Light and Bright Summer Thirst Quencher
    • Summer and Sauvignon Blanc, Lucky Rock Wine Co. Style
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2019
    • Monte Velho, Fascinating Wines and Value-Priced
    • Grassl Glasses Add Depth to Wine Enjoyment
    • Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé Brut Makes Everyday a Holiday
    • Festive Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wines For All Occasions
    • Bodegas CARO, the Best of Both Worlds
    • Kosher Wines For the Jewish High Holidays Are Highly Recommended Anytime of Year
    • Oak Farm Vineyards, a Rainbow of Delicious Lodi Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Ron Rubin Wines, The Dream Series
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2018
    • Crus Bourgeois Bordeaux, Expressive Wines at Everyday Prices
    • Légende Collection of Bordeaux Wines
    • Five Contemporary California Wines To Try
    • Alternative Sparkling Wines For a Celebration
    • A Toast to Prosecco Superiore
    • Celebrate with this Pair of Spanish Red Wines
    • A Quartet of Summer Red Wines
    • Spanish Albariño, a Wine For All Seasons
    • Ciù Ciù Wines, Quality That Shines Through
    • A Trio of Red Wines for Holiday Merrymaking
    • Terre de la Custodia Montefalco Rosso 2012
    • The Sultry Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Montefalco Sagrantino
    • Pop the Cork on Charles Heidsieck Champagne and Bisol Prosecco
    • Garnacha Wines from DOP Cariñena, Beautiful Bang for the Buck
    • A Pair of Greek Wines for a Spring Feast
    • A Dynamic Duo of Sassy Spanish White Wines
    • Anderra Carménere
    • Artesa Chardonnay/Pinot Noir
    • Avignonesi Grandi Annate
    • Château Saint-Maur Rosé
    • La Miranda de Secastilla, Old Vine Garnacha Gems
    • Intriguing Israeli Wines
    • Leviathan
    • Domaines Paul Mas Wines Trio
    • Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, intensely refreshing and delicious
    • Perticaia Trebbiano Spoletino
    • Stay Cool With These Two Charming White Wines
  • Events
    • Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure 2022 Highlights Hidden California Wine Gems
    • Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival 2019
    • World of Pinot Noir 2019, A Magical Mystery Tour
    • Journey to Planet Pinot at the 2018 World of Pinot Noir
    • Great Wines of Italy Comes to LA
    • Wine Along the Beach at Garagiste Wine Festival 2017
    • Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration 2017
    • Orbit the World of Pinot Noir at the 2017 World of Pinot
    • Rhone Rangers Los Angeles 2016
  • Wine Travel
  • Videos
    • Celebration of Harvest
    • Feliz Noche Wines
    • Terravant Custom Crush
    • Que Syrah, Shiraz!
    • Paso Robles Wine Festival
    • L'Aventure Syrah Harvest
    • Clos Pepe's Prince of Pinot
  • Photos
  • Who We Are
    • About Patricia Decker
    • About Fabian Rodriguez
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Darcie Kent Vineyards
Tucked into the rolling hills of the Livermore Valley, a rebirth of one of California’s oldest wine regions is quietly taking root.  Reinvigorated with new plantings, varietals, and modern technology, Livermore Valley Wine Country is experiencing a wine renaissance that includes more than 50 wineries, large and small, with many fledgling boutique operations nestled alongside two of California’s wine titans, Wente and Concannon.  It’s a diverse area, famous for their Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, but quickly expanding into Italian, Rhone, and Spanish varietals.  New generation winemakers are adding their own spin to the mix, as fifth generation winemaking families reinvent and refine what is the life blood of their wineries.  So much wine country, so close to a major metropolitan area, and with so much to offer, Livermore Valley should be on every wine lover's map.
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Courtesy of Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association
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Petit Verdot clusters in Ghielmetti Vineyards
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Semillon clusters in Ghielmetti Vineyard
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Darcie Kent wines
There’s so many things that makes Livermore special, starting with what Mother Nature has given the region.  Livermore’s coastal valley, just 35 miles east of San Francisco Bay, is a geographic bowl, where ocean breezes and fog flow inland from the Pacific Ocean, funneled in by the unique transverse, or west-east, mountain ranges, through gaps in the hills.  Warm sunlight is replaced midday by this colder air, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly, while developing great natural acidity and complexity from a long hang time, longer than their famous neighbor Napa Valley.  Well-drained soils, especially gravel, similar to what is found in Bordeaux, helps keep the vines in check and increases flavor in the clusters.  And Livermore Valley is higher in altitude than neighboring valleys, with the east side rising to 1000 feet.  All of these factors contribute to their elegant white and red wines, enjoyable upon release but imminently more complex with age, the structure and acidity in the glass framing the wine in the mouth.  The white wines are subtle and complex, with a level of sophistication that unfolds on the palate, smooth and round yet with a subtle grip on the long pleasant finish.  The red wines, glorious in their youth but made to be aged, embody a rich structure that is at once luscious and vibrant in their color, aromas, and flavors, with a finish that lingers.
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Courtesy of Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association
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Steven Mirassou pours his Steven Kent Winery Lola, a white Bordeaux blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon
Yet with all this Goldilocks bounty of just right conditions, Livermore has lagged behind other California wine regions.  The promise and potential demonstrated over 130 years ago was sidelined by rapid development of the area, as vineyards gave way to housing, creating a bedroom community to San Francisco.  But Livermore’s determined winemakers have brought new life to the Livermore Valley AVA, established in 1982, and it’s history of premium wine grapes that shaped the course of California wine has become relevant once again.
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Concannon Vineyards 1890's, Courtesy of Concannon Vineyards
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Bottling, Courtesy of Concannon Vineyards
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Wente Family Winery 1895, Courtesy of Wente Vineyards
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Wente groundbreaking Chardonnay clones
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John Concannon shows off historic "Mother Vine" vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 7
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Concannon Cabernet Clones hall of fame
This brief time capsule of historical events had set the stage for viticultural success, even as Prohibition took its toll in the early 1900’s.  In 1840, Robert Livermore planted the first commercial vines here, and then C. H. Wente, James Concannon, and Charles Wetmore followed up with winemaking in the early 1880’s.  It didn’t take long before the world took notice, when Wetmore won a gold medal at the Paris Exposition in 1889 with his dry white Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend.  Over the past century, Livermore Valley wineries have had a rich history of firsts; first to bottle varietally labeled wines (Chardonnay-1933, Sauvignon Blanc-1933, and Petite Sirah-1961), and the first American wine region to win international Gold Medals in 1889.  Winegrape clones, from vine cuttings originally brought from France by visionary wine pioneers Concannon and Wente, today make up over 80% of California’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay planted vineyards.  Concannon’s Cabernet Sauvignon Clone, imported from Bordeaux in 1893, and Wente’s Chardonnay Clone, brought from Burgundy in 1912, placed California firmly on the global wine map, and changed the fashion of wine drunk today in the Golden State.
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Courtesy of Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association
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If you haven’t visited this area, put it on your bucket list, as Livermore Valley has something for everyone.  For the wine tourist, Livermore Valley has established itself as a wine destination, with tasting rooms and wine trails to explore.  You can buy a Livermore Valley Wine Country Passport that waives tasting room fees at over 40 wineries, and offers bottle discounts, too.  Many wine-themed events are held throughout the year, from Barrel Tasting in March, Taste Our Terroir in July, Harvest Wine Celebration over Labor Day Weekend, and Holidays in the Vineyards in December.  In addition, individual wineries conduct their own wine tasting events, to keep up with the full calendar of events, click on LVWine.org.
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Livermore is part of the Tri-Valley area, which consists of five communities, Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, Danville, and San Ramon, in three valleys, Amador, Livermore, and San Ramon.  There is a lot to do here, beyond wine
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Darcie Kent original art, Darcie Kent Winery tasting room
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Pleasanton
Art infuses the area, whether original art on wine labels and in tasting rooms, or galleries in charming downtown storefronts, which beckons you to linger.
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Blackhawk Museum, Danville
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Automotive Gallery, Blackhawk Museum
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Art of Africa Gallery, Blackhawk Museum
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Spirit of the Old West Gallery, Blackhawk Museum
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The Course at Wente Vineyards, Courtesy of Wente Vineyards
The Blackhawk Museum in Danville hosts the impressive Automotive Gallery, a rare, rotating collection of important vehicles through history, with a fascinating Spirit of The Old West Gallery, along with the current Art of Africa and Into China exhibitions.  Live music adds to the destination feel, such as The Concerts at Wente Vineyards, which is a 30-year-old tradition with performers such as 2017’s Seal and Diana Krall rocking the stage.  Live theater, from community theater performances to play festivals, channel the spirit of Eugene O’Neill and William Shakespeare.  In addition to art and cultural pursuits, you can shop luxury brands until you drop at San Francisco Premium Outlets in Livermore, or tee off for a few rounds of golf at nine golf courses in the Tri-Valley area, from scenic and challenging The Course at Wente Vineyards to three unique courses at Poppy Ridge, appropriately named Chardonnay, Merlot and Zinfandel.  Many trails and regional parks offer the outdoor enthusiast hiking and biking options, as well as more exotic choices, such as hang gliding and horseback riding.
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The Rose Hotel, Pleasanton
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Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, Livermore
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Danville Harvest, Danville
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Tapas and wine, a perfect pairing!
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Sabio On Main Tapas, Pleasanton
Accommodations range from boutique hotels like The Rose Hotel in Pleasanton to comfortable business class hotels like Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham in Livermore.  Lots of restaurants, from fine dining to casual wine country cuisine, like Danville Harvest, and American comfort food to ethnic specialities, such as Sabio On Main Tapas, have menus for any wine traveler’s budget.  If it’s time for ice cream, the Tri-Valley Ice Cream Trail offers scoops of the best of the Valley, with a passport to guide you along the way.  And if you fall in love with many wines on your wine escape, the Tri-Valley makes it so easy to return home with your wine purchases.  Wine ships free if you stay in a Visit Tri-Valley partner hotel and buy wine from any participating Livermore Valley winery, eligibility and receipts required.  And if you need a break from drinking wine, the Tri-Valley Beer Trail offers an impressive number of craft breweries, a nod to Pleasanton’s hops history, and yes, there’s a passport for that, too.
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Livermore Valley Wine Country is rocking the A’s; accessible, affordable, and approachable, it’s an AVA of award-winning wines, activities, and an authentic sense of place.  Next, the story of California Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, from where it all started, Wente and Concannon Vineyards.