Less than an hour east of San Francisco, Livermore Valley Wine Country is rich with a flourish expanse of vineyards, wineries, and wine country experiences. Amid picturesque canyons, ridges and outposts of suburbia, the lush vines and convivial tasting rooms increasingly define the quality of life in the valley. To the delight of residents and visitors alike, the region is enjoying a wine renaissance harking back to the golden years of early California wine history.
One of California's oldest wine regions, the Livermore Valley played a pivotal role in shaping California's wine industry. Spanish missionaries planted the first wine grapes in the Livermore Valley in the 1760s. In the 1840s, California pioneers looking for outstanding vineyard sites began planting grapes in the region. Robert Livermore planted the first commercial vines in the 1840s. Pioneer winemakers C. H. Wente, James Concannon, and Charles Wetmore recognized the area's winegrowing potential and founded their wineries in the early 1880s.
Livermore Valley captured America's first international gold medal for wine in 1889 at the Paris Exposition, putting California on the world wine map.
Livermore Valley wineries were the first to bottle varietals labeled Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Petite Sirah. Nearly 80% of California's Chardonnay vines trace their genetic roots to a Livermore Valley clone. Livermore Valley also boasted more than 50 wineries until Prohibition and contributed significantly to the state's enology and viticulture that lives on today. Innovations developed in the Livermore Valley include overhead irrigation, mechanical harvesting and roller crushing in the vineyard.
-Courtesy of Livermore Valley Winegrower's Association
Map design by MapCo Marketing (www.livermorewinemap.com)
Our Favorite Links:
Livermore Wine Grower's Association
Fenestra Winery
Cedar Mountain Winery
Office:
Halson Wine Provisioners, LLC
3627 Ayscough Road
Charlotte, NC 28211
704.771.3681
