One of the best parts of wine tasting – besides tasting the incredible wine – are the views that can come with the experience.
If you are on one of the hillsides and can take in the views of the Livermore Valley wine region – rolling hills and seemingly never-ending vineyards – it’s a great day.
The Darcie Kent Estate Winery is one such place.
Located on the north side of the Livermore Valley wine region, you enjoy commanding views of the southern side of the valley. Add in their outstanding portfolio of wines, including their Cab Franc offerings, and you have the perfect combination for a relaxing, enjoyable wine tasting experience.
With the Livermore Valley branded as a Cab Franc region, Darcie Kent Estate Winery is a winery that stands on the leading edge in the Valley.
“It’s a wonderful grape,” said winemaker Julian Halasz of Cab Franc. “It always produces. “Cab Franc is the path forward to the Livermore Valley.”
Halasz is a gem of a winemaker. He came to the United States in 1995 from Hungary and has a wealth of knowledge and experience.
He’s had chances to ply his trade in the Napa Valley, but has stayed loyal to the Livermore Valley.
“Yes, I could have gone to Napa, but I love it here – they appreciate me here,” said Halasz, who comes from a wine family in Hungary.
Halasz was also here when the Livermore Valley went from a hard to endorse wine area, to what is becoming a destination wine tasting spot.
What’s changed from 20 years ago?
“We realized what we could do well,” explained Halasz. “We needed to have quality across the board. “
But while Halasz has seen the quality and depth of the Livermore Valley wines climb, he knows the job is not done.
“I think there is a lot of improvement still to be done,” said Halasz.
As for now, if are heading out for an afternoon of wine tasting, make sure Darcie Kent Estate Winery is on your short list of sites to visit.
Established in 1996, Darcie Kent Vineyards is a family-owned & operated winery.
Along with her husband David and her two daughters Kailyn and Amanda (sixth generation), Darcie Kent is committed to combining her artistry and passion to forge and sustain a world-class, family-owned estate winery.
They grow, barrel, and bottle all their wines.
As a fifth-generation artist and vintner, both art and wine run through Darcie’s bloodline.
Darcie met David Kent at the University of Colorado, Boulder and early on in their marriage, they set out to restart the family legacy of winemaking.
Darcie and Dave purchased a ten-acre block of Merlot in Livermore in 1996, and eventually built a house there to raise their two daughters. They concentrated on making intense, complex, small-lot Merlot in the Saint Emilion style from this little block and made olive oil from the trees bordering the driveway. Darcie painted the labels for both, a tradition that continues today.
In 2008, they released the DeMayo Chardonnay which became the “house white,” for the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco.
The 2012 vintage was poured as the 2013 First Lady’s Luncheon. Darcie then set up a gallery and tasting room on the Concannon Vineyard property and not long after brought on Halasz as the winemaker and he is still there today.
In 2013 the family acquired the winery and vineyard formerly owned by Cedar Mountain Winery.
As mentioned above, the views are sensational. There are multiple tasting locations, two outside and one inside. All are great with outstanding views.
We opted for Bing’s Barn as our last tasting location. It features couches, as well as tables to choose from in the airy room which feature original paintings from Darcie.
Bing’s Barn is named for its legendary owner Bing Crosby. It was also used as a training center for boxer Max Baer and was renovated when the family took over the property.
It is airy and when we were there, there was a bachelorette party, as well as four other groups of varying age groups. It worked – you could enjoy your own experience yet get a chill and festive tasting experience.
We focused largely on the Cab Franc, starting with the “Darcie” Cab Franc, working to the “Stone Patch Cab Franc”, the “Strong Silent Type Cab Franc,” and the “Loyal to the Soil Can Franc.”
All were enjoyable, with each establishing itself on their own merit.
Finally, we tasted the flagship wine, the Choreography Red Wine, a Bordeaux blend available only members and just 100 cases are produced.
The line was previously owned by Olympic Figure Skating legend Peggy Fleming, good friends with Darcie and David. At $75 a bottle, the wine is a steal.
When I said above, Darcie Kent Estate Winery needs to be on the list of must-visit wineries in the Livermore Valley, it’s a given as it checks off the boxes of what you want when you visit a winery.
Vistas, friendly and welcoming environment, and high-end wine – it’s all there.
For more information or to make reservations, please visit www.darciekent.wine.
By Dennis Miller