Blog Archives

Livermore Valley Wineries

5/29/2016

Looking for a change of pace? Why not take a day off from Napa wineries and explore a wine country to the south? Livermore Valley Wine Country has made a name for itself in the wine world, and can offer fewer crowds, lower pricing, and a shorter drive than Napa and Sonoma. This place is a wine enthusiast’s haven, offering the chance to taste, tour, and spend the day or even the whole weekend enjoying the area’s award-winning wineries.

We’ve put together a sample itinerary to get you started. We’ll return to the Livermore series to tell you more about the many fabulous stops that remain.

Page Mill Winery

Page Mill Winery

Start with Page Mill. Page Mill Winery began making wine in 1976 at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains. in 2004 the winery moved to the serenity of the Livermore Valley. Flagship wines include the Sauvignon Blanc and Petite Sirah. Page Mill Winery offers more than a dozen wines from local vineyards as well as appellations across the state. The winery is located within minutes of the downtown shopping district.

Address:1960 S. Livermore Ave, Livermore, CA 94550
Phone:(925) 456-7676
Website:www.PageMillWinery.com
Tasting Room: Monday 12 - 4:30pm
Thursday 12 - 8pm, Friday - Sunday 12 - 4:30pm
$10.00 tasting fee ($5 applied to bottle purchase)

Wente Vineyards

Wente Vineyards

Wente is a can’t miss stop. The country's oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery, Wente Vineyards produces extraordinary wines from estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco, Monterey. You can enjoy sustainable walking tours or a private cave tasting.

Wente Vineryard Caves

This is also a great lunch spot. Taste for a bit and then head over to enjoy a leisurely lunch. Be on the lookout for a summer concert series, also not worth missing.

Crooked Vine Winery

Crooked Vine Winery

Crooked Vine Winery is a family owned and operated winery and vineyard in the heart of Livermore. The Barrel Room accommodates up to 100 guests. The Garden Terrace with lush gardens and lawn provide a beautiful space for a seat or even a ceremony site for up to 200 guests. Experience award winning wines and gracious hospitality.

Address:4948 Tesla Rd, Livermore, CA 94550
Phone:(925) 449-0458
Website:crookedvine.com
Tasting Room: Monday - Saturday 11am - 4:30pm, Sunday 12 - 4:30pm
Also by appointment
$10.00 tasting fee, Parties of 10 more $15/guest

Mitchell Katz Winery

Mitchell Katz Winery

The handcrafted, vineyard designated wines from the Mitchell Katz Winery which show off the vast amount of micro-climates and soil variations in the historical Livermore Valley. A highlight of this winery includes a wonderful selection of award-winning wines with cheese and crackers that accompanies every tasting.

Address:2481 Buena Vista Ave, Livermore, CA 94550
Phone:(925) 454-9463
Website:www.mitchellkatzwinery.com
Tasting Room: Monday - Sunday 12 - 5pm

Napa After Dark

5/22/2016

Sometimes your days get started later than planned. Other times, you’re having too much fun to end the day at 5 pm. While most wineries in the Napa Valley close their doors about 5 pm, there is a growing number of fantastic tasting rooms and vineyards that are bucking the trend and catering to the evening crowd. These are a few to get you started...

John Anthony Vineyards

John Anthony

John Anthony’s tasting room is located in downtown Napa on bustling 1st Street, next door to the Andaz Hotel. It’s a convenient way to start or end your day, serving as late as midnight Thursday to Sunday! The Truchard family has created a country-luxe setting, with friendly staff and several seating choices. You can drop in at the bar or schedule a late night VIP tasting. If you purchase a bottle, you can reserve the table you want in advance online. Choose the table by the window to watch Napa’s nightlife unfold, or pick the cozy table in the back for a private conversation.

1440 1st St
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 265-7711
Hours: Sunday – Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.. Thursday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – midnight
Reservations: Not required for the bar, required for VIP tastings

St. Clair Brown Winery

St. Claire Brown Winery

St. Clair Brown Winery is a hidden gem. The definition of “urban winery,” St. Clair makes its wine is made in a warehouse (they’ll soon brew beer here too) and the tasting room, The Garden Eatery, is located across the street. It’s a fitting name for a converted greenhouse that now houses outdoor seating in the culinary garden. Sample a flight of the excellent wines on the garden patio and order some of their small bites created straight from the garden that day, and not to be missed. Should you be in town during the week, don’t miss Local’s Nights on Tuesdays, with special drink deals, including half off all bottles of wine.

850 Vallejo St
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 255-5591
Hours: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Reservations: Not required, recommended on weekends

Somerston Wine Co. Tasting Room

Somerstone Winery

Somerston Wine Co. has a rustic but elegant feel. The plush sofas inside or tables on the patio are both welcoming spots to enjoy a wine tasting at the end of the day.

It’s a fitting name for a converted greenhouse that now houses outdoor seating in the culinary garden. Sample a flight of the excellent wines on the garden patio and order some of their small bites created straight from the garden that day, and not to be missed. Should you be in town during the week, don’t miss Local’s Nights on Tuesdays, with special drink deals, including half off all bottles of wine.

6490 Washington St
Yountville, CA 94599
Hours: Open daily 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Reservations: Not required for the bar tasting, required for a private tasting

A Day on Highway 29

5/15/2016

Alpha Omega

11 am: Alpha Omega
Start with something special! Alpha Omega is a new Napa winery that manages to cater to each and every crowd. Their modern tasting room and friendly staff welcome newcomers and Napa aficionados with open arms. The beautifully unique water feature outside is a perfect spot to start or end your day. It doesn’t hurt that the wine is spectacular, from big, bold reds that embody what everyone loves about Napa wines to smooth whites that offer delicate balance.

Beringer Vineyards

12 pm: Beringer Vineyards and Caves
From here, move on to Beringer Vineyards. One of Napa's original wineries, Beringer Vineyards offers lush landscaping and historic architecture along with a variety of tasting experiences. Those wanting to experience everything Napa has to offer should opt for the Legendary Cave Tour, a 30 minute walk through the tunnels and Old Winery while sampling 3 of their wines. More serious wine lovers will enjoy the reserve tastings in the Rhine House, the beautiful historic home where the Beringer brothers lived. Reservations are required for these special tours, but walk-ins are welcome for traditional tastings in their grand tasting rooms.

Beringer Wine Caves

1 pm: A historic lunch stop
Grab Lunch at the Bistro at Francis Ford Coppola's Winery
Started in 1879 by a wine loving sea captain, Inglenook produced some of the finest wines in the world until 1964 when it was unceremoniously sold to United Vintners who quickly dropped the quality in favor of the jug wine. Fortunately, a few decades later saw the sale of the winery to Hollywood’s Francis Ford Coppola, who begin to return it to its former glory. Its grandeur is impressive, but, even better, there is an outdoor bistro where you can purchase bread, cheese, meats and a delicious, moderately priced bottle of wine. Snag a table and enjoy your light lunch and vino with some first class people watching.

Inglehook

Mondavi

2 pm: Kick off the Afternoon with a Bit of History
Mondavi was one of the first wineries that put Napa Valley on the map. The basic walking tour happens on the hour and requires no reservations but you should upgrade to the reserve tour where you'll go from “vines to wines” in 90 minutes. This tour requires reservations which means you'll be away from the sometimes huge crowds of walk-in first timers trying to push their way to the front of the bar. Mondavi is not as posh or modern as some we’d recommend, but we promise you will not be disappointed in the history, wine quality, and undeniably classic Napa Valley feel.

Domain-Chandon

3 pm: End the day right!
Domaine Chandon is a beautiful winery with fantastic sparkling wines. Get there right when they open to order a flight of champagne. While the outside terrace is tempting, the indoor bar is equally as nice. Behind it, you will find well-educated servers able to tell you intricate details about each and every bottle, as well as general wine education for beginners. If you are coming with a large group of 10 or more, it’s worth noting that Domaine Chandon is one of the few wineries that will welcome your group - as long as you make reservations.

Best off the Beaten Path Tasting Rooms: Hestan Vineyards

5/7/2016

The Winery: Hestan Vineyards
Unique Point: Cooks in the Vineyard
Signature Wine/Varietal: five principle red Bordeaux varietals

Situated in the rolling hills of eastern Napa Valley, Hestan Vineyards is a 56-acre tapestry of small, individually farmed blocks, planted to the five principle red Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec.

The Stunning Hestan Estate

The vineyard is named for owners Stanley and Helen Cheng, who purchased the property in 1996. Cheng is CEO of Meyer Corporation, the world’s second largest cookware company with brands including Anolon, Circulon, KitchenAid and Faberware.

Hestan

In 2005, the Chengs released their first wines from the property, the 2002 Hestan Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon and 2002 Meyer Cabernet Sauvignon; both made by consulting winemaker Mark Herold. The wines were a critical success and were followed in 2008 by the launch of Stephanie, a line of red Bordeaux blends made by consulting winemaker Jeff Gaffner.

Hestan & Cookware

While the tasting room is small, it’s an absolutely gorgeous addition downtown Yountville. The modern space incorporates wonderful natural materials, including repurposed woods, iron, glass, copper, venetian plaster, travertine and porcelain.

The Hestan Tasting Room

In addition to the selection of estate wines, the winery also showcases artisinal Italian copper cookware, manufactured in northern Italy, bringing together the food and wine elements so many visitors to Napa Valley love.

6548 Washington Street
Yountville CA 94599
707-945-1002

Hours:
11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Tastings/Appointments:
707-945-1002

Best off the Beaten Path Tasting Rooms: Franciscan Estate

5/1/2016

The Winery: Franciscan Estate
Unique Point: Classic Napa
Signature Wine/Varietal: Cab, Merlot, Malbec

Another historical landmark, Franciscan is one of Napa Valley’s most venerable wineries. Its rich history reaches back more than three decades. Franciscan wines take their signature style—the rare combination of rich, vibrant flavors framed by supple tannins—from the ideal climate offered by Napa Valley’s cool, southern half and from the time-honored tradition of small-lot winemaking, blending from hundreds of barrels to craft fine wines that fully express the classic varieties.

Franciscan Estates

At the winery, tasting offerings include casual tasting at the bar as well as daily small-group Taste Explorations, blending seminars, wine and food pairings and varietal tastings that explore wine from the vineyard to the table.

The Franciscan Tasting Room

Franciscan also encourages the company of canine companions should you choose to enjoy their expansive picnic grounds.

1178 Galleron Road
Saint Helena, CA 94574
707-967-3830

Hours:
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., seven days a week
Tastings/Appointments:
707.967.3993

Livermore Valley Wineries

﻿Napa After Dark

A Day on Highway 29

Best off the Beaten Path Tasting Rooms: Hestan Vineyards

Best off the Beaten Path Tasting Rooms: Franciscan Estate

Categories

Archives

Napa After Dark