Looking for one of Northern California’s best wine tasting events? Look no further than “Taste Our Terroir.” Every July, California’s first wine region, the Livermore Valley wine country— hosts “Taste Our Terroir” to promote Livermore Valley Wine Tasting. The French term terroir expresses “a sense of place,” the way local conditions of land, climate, culture and technique combine to create wine attributes specific to a region. And this four-day event definitely celebrates a sense of place—Livermore Valley’s historic wine region—while treating wine lovers to over a dozen events including annual food and wine pairing competitions, concerts featuring local bands, cooking demonstrations, wine tasting seminars and intimate vineyard tours, and much more. My suggestion…skip the summer crowds of the Napa Valley and enjoy the simple, delicious pleasures of what Livermore Valley Wine Tasting offers.
While the majority of the events change from year to year, Taste Our Terroir always opens with the region’s signature event, the annual quest for food and wine pairing excellence at Casa Real in Pleasanton. Featuring Livermore Valley winemakers and judges from Wine Enthusiast Magazine and others. Tip: this event sells out every year, so purchase your tickets in advance at www.LVwine.org This is THE Livermore Valley Wine Tasting event that you may not want to miss.
If you’re looking to get out to the local wineries, there are over a dozen other events from which to choose. Since I love seafood and sunsets, my daughter and I headed off to the Sunset Lobster Dinner hosted by the lovely folks of Darcie Kent Vineyards. We started our Livermore Valley Wine Tasting evening by sampling some of the Valley’s award winning wines from Darcie Kent Vineyards, McKahn Family Cellars, Fenestra Winery, Wente Vineyards and Page Mill Winery while watching the preparation of a traditional East Coast Lobster Bake. As the sun set, the table was filled with fresh Maine lobster, prawns, sausage, corn on the cob, garlic, artichokes, potatoes, bread and lots of butter.
“I just love lobster and these Livermore wines,” said fellow diner Sally Martegani. “I’ve been to a similar wine and lobster bake dinner in Napa, but this event is much easier to navigate and we love getting to know the local winemakers.”
Sounds amazing, right? It was!
Just remember…the events change from year-to-year, but based on my Livermore Valley Wine Tasting experience, I know that no matter what year you attend, there will be something delicious in store for you!
As the birthplace of California Chardonnay and California Cabernet Sauvignon, the Livermore Valley Wine Country has so much to offer. And if you can’t make this event, no worries; there are 50+ wineries to visit The website, www.LVwine.org is loaded with useful information including, wine maps, where to stay, what to eat, as well as an itinerary planner that will help you map out your wine country visit.
Insider tip:
No cars are required in order to enjoy the very best of Livermore Valley Wine Tasting! This gem of a region is located just 45 minutes from Silicon Valley or San Francisco. Did you know that Livermore Valley is the only California wine region accessible by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)? Upon arrival in Livermore Valley, you will have a range of transportation options, including a huge network of bike and hiking trails, Uber/Lyft, car services and the increasingly popular Livermore Wine Trolley.
If You Go:
This is a guest post by Ginny Hair. Livermore Valley Wine Tasting Taste Our Terroir article and photos courtesy Ginny Hair.
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