If you want to fully enjoy a fun day of wine tasting in the Livermore Valley, you need a plan of action.
It’s always more enjoyable if you have a designated driver. You can always spit out the wine and still get a taste of what the wine has to offer, but if you are going with a group of friends, it is always best to enjoy the environment, take advantage of some quality food and just enjoy the day.
The biggest problem is – what wineries to go to for a visit. In the Livermore Valley, there are over 40 wineries and if you’re driving, the plan should be no more than 2-3 wineries. If you have a designated driver, you can hit three and if you’re adventurous, maybe four. Five? It’s possible but have plenty of food and water through the day.
But if you are hitting four, keep in mind your pallet will be blown by the time you are done with the second stop. I recommend at your last 2-3 stops, buy a bottle and relax with your group as opposed to doing a tasting as it will be tough to get true taste of the wine.
Let’s look at a plan for going out in the Livermore Valley and give you four or five stops, along with some tips as to what order to go and some wine suggestions for the last couple starts.
1. Steven Kent Winery: Great first stop right now until they get their new tasting center open. Right now, they are off Vasco Rd. with parking being a bit of an issue en and you don’t get the vibe of being out in the vineyards. That will change when the new winery/tasting facility opens. Steven Kent is among the elite wines in the area.
2. Del Valle/Garre: Sister wineries where you are going to go wrong with the wine or the food as both properties offer full kitchens that prepare a number of awesome food options. Both have nice outside seating options. This is a spot to hit the food hard and set your base. If Garre is your choice make sure to get the Fried Olives – you will be thanking me that you did!
3. McGrail: Might be the best views from a winery in the Valley with some of the most relaxing spots you will find. Personally, this is the winery I recommend the most when people ask for a must-stopping. I have fourth on my list as for a great spot to come close to ending your day. This is where I would get a spot on the lawn area, pick up some bottles of the 2023 Shamus Patrick Red Blend – five varietals – and the 2025 Family Chardonnay, and just chill. No reason to do a tasting, just got a couple of bottles and relax.
4. Tenuta Vineyards: They talk about being “Friends for Life,” when you visit and it’s easy to believe once you have made the visit. It’s a unique visit and it’s right by our choices for the final stop of the day, so it works logistically. Go to the property, walk in, or grab a table outside, and turn it over to Rich and got with his suggestion – you can’t go wrong! Make some friends for life.
5. Rubino/Ruby Hill: Sister wineries and located close together. Both are open later than most wineries, so there is always a great atmosphere, with a strong party vibe as the day ends. Go to wines to buy by the bottle are the 2021 Night Owl Barbera and the 2022 Landmark Chardonnay at Rubino. At Ruby Hill get a bottle of the 2023 Grapeful Red – the best table wine in the Valley – and the 2023 Reserve Chardonnay.
These are my recommendations for a schedule for the day of tasting and not ranked in order of favorites. It’s a suggestion for an order that I think would be an amazing and enjoyable day.
Next week I will give another five places to visit in the Livermore Valley – there are that many quality wineries to hit!
By Dennis Miller