Livermore Valley Wine Country
A thriving wine region in the San Francisco Bay Area
Less than an hour east of San Francisco, Livermore Valley Wine Country welcomes visitors with a flourish 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. 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. International recognition followed when 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 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. Livermore Valley wineries were the first to bottle varietal labeled Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Petite Sirah. Nearly 80% of California's Chardonnay vines trace their genetic roots to a Livermore Valley clone.
Attracted to the rich winemaking tradition, climate, soil, and geography, new winemakers and vineyardists are working alongside fifth generation winegrowers to create this Livermore Valley wine renaissance. The region now has 35 wineries, varying from limited release, 100-case labors of love to 400,000-case industry heavyweights. Vineyard plantings range from familiar Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay to Italian, Rhone, and Spanish varieties. Welcoming tasting rooms showcase award-winning wines and offer year around activities. In addition to the myriad happenings at individual wineries, the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association sponsors several public events each year, showcasing the talent, energy and fine wines of the region.
Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association
In 1981, threatened by impending development pressures, a small group of vintners and growers formed the LVWA. Today with a growing membership of 38 wineries, 80 growers and 100 community businesses, the Association is dedicated to showcasing Livermore Valley Wine Country by highlighting the world-class wine and visitor amenities of this region. In 2002, the Main Street Livermore Association named the LVWA Non-Profit Partner of the Year, and the Livermore Chamber of Commerce named the Association and Foundation the 2002 Outstanding Non-Profit Organization. The LVWA also received the 2002-2003 Regional Partner of the Year Award” from the Tri-Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Contact Info:
Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association (LVWA)
Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation (LVWF)
Lynn Wallace, Executive Director
3585 Greenville Road, Suite 4
Livermore, CA 94550
925.447.WINE (9463)
www.livermorewine.com
Media Inquiries:
Roberta Klugman
510.655.7790 rklugman@robertaklugman.com