Livermore Valley is, in many respects, the anti-Napa.  About the same distance from San Francisco as the renowned wine region, it lacks the crowds, limos, expense and pretense of Napa Valley.  What it does offer is an authentic experience.

As you ramble through the Livermore Valley you’ll see the daily life of a “real” series of towns, where the wine business shares equal billing with farming, manufacturing, and retail.  A sizable Mexican immigrant population has settled in the Valley and established businesses, including outstanding restaurants that rival what we’ve enjoyed in the “old country.”

What we appreciate most about Livermore is the proximity of the winemakers to the wine lovers. Now you’re not likely to chat up the owner at Wente or one of the larger, more established wineries but the region as a whole is a lovely antidote to Napa’s corporate, ersatz ambiance.

For information about Livermore Valley wineries visit www.livermorewine.com

Where We Stayed
Not in Livermore Valley, unfortunately.  We were on a business trip in the East Bay, so our home base was the Wyndham Gardens in Pleasanton.  

Where We Ate
Anita's Mexican Food, Livermore
If there’s one thing we like more than wine it’s Mexico and Mexican food.  Anita’s has a lovely outdoor patio, authentic Mexican food, and good beer. Gary and Lisa do not live by wine alone!

Where We Tasted (best are starred)
Concannon Vineyard
Eckert Estate Winery            
El Sol
Elliston*
Fenestra Winery
Livermore Valley Cellars*
The Steven Kent Winery
Stoney Ridge Winery
Thomas Coyne Winery
Wente Vineyards
 

Elliston Vineyards
What We Bought
•    1997 Cabernet Sauvignon
•    1998 Cabernet Sauvignon
•    1999 Captain’s Claret (Merlot, Cab Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon)

Livermore Valley Cellars
One of our favorite destinations. Down-to-earth people, funky setting, and outstanding wine. We had a 20-minute conversation with the owner, who was taking a break from firing up the grill for a cookout.  The facility was a bit ramshackle, but the wine and the conversation were memorable. LVC concentrates on big, flavorful reds (Gary calls them “teddy bears” you want to hug) that are friendly to the palate.  You can’t buy LVC wines in your local store, so make a pilgrimage to the winery.

What We Tasted
•    Chardonnay        Nice but too much like other chards we’ve had
•    Cabernet Franc   Delicious
•    Zin                    LV’s sweet spot. If you’re a Zinfandel lover, you must try and buythem, although the labels we     bought are no longer in production
•    Arcanum        A Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and merlot
•    Cabernet Sauvignon    Ok, but not their best
•    Petite Syrah        Ditto

What We Bought
•    2001 Big Ass Zin
•    2001 Fat Ass Zin
•    2002 Crack of Dawn Zin    
•    2001 25th Anniversary Cab Franc

Steven Kent Winery
One of the more impressive wineries in Livermore Valley—it looked almost Napa-ish, but in a good way.  The Ritz-Carlton hotels have selected a Steven Kent chardonnay as their house chard so you know it’s a classy outfit!

What We Bought
•    2002 Syrah Fairbairn Ranch
•    2001 Cabernet

Thomas Coyne Winery
In keeping with the Livermore style, the winemaker is always on the premises and often in the tasting room. The tasting room is housed in an 1881 building overlooking rustic barns and pastures.

What We Bought
•    1999 Port