California Chardonnay and Cabernet: Livermore Valley - a wine region near Silicon Valley

Wente Winery in Livermore Valley, home of California chardonnay

Although chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon are the most popular wines sold in the United States, many people don't know that the birthplace of these magnificent grapes is in the Livermore wine region of California. This historic region, dubbed a "hidden gem" by Forbes, is just a short distance from San Francisco and Silicon Valley and is home to the first California wine to win a competition in Paris, France, with an 1884 vintage from La Cresta winery.

"We're a unique wine region because it's home to grape growers, ranchers and talented scientists and engineers working at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory and near Silicon''wineries.

Two of these wineries hold an important place in California winemaking history - Concannon and Wente - as they are the birthplace of California cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, respectively. At a traditional tasting on the Concannon winery grounds, these two historic wineries and others gathered to discuss their history.

"Concannon Winery was founded in 1883, and our founder imported cabernet sauvignon cuttings from Chateau Margaux in France in 1893," said James Foster, senior director of winemaking at Concannon Winery, during the tasting. "UC-Davis University sampled these vines and renamed them clone 7, 8 and 11. Today, wineries across the state use these clones, which means that 80 percent of all California cabernet''sauvignon comes from these vines. "

The original "mother vineyard" can still be visited on the Concannon winery's property in Livermore. Nearby Wente winery also has a "mother vineyard" of chardonnay.

"Wente Winery was founded in 1883, and in 1912 my great-grandfather imported chardonnay vines from France," explained Phil Wente, vice chairman of Wente, during the tasting. "Over time, he selected vines with distinct flavors, and that's how the Wente chardonnay clone was created." Today, more than 75% of all California chardonnays come from Wente clones.

Another historic winery in attendance at the tasting was Fenestra, founded in 1976 by San Jose State University chemistry professor Lanny Replogle, who explained that "we''acquired and restored the historic Ruby Hill winery, built in 1881'. Today, Fenestra produces complex cabernets and blends.

Rhonda Wood quit her fast-paced schedule as an airline pilot and founded Wood Family Vineyards in 1996 in her backyard. "I planted 18 vines and produced 50 boxes, now we have over 8,000 boxes," she said. Wood specializes in merlot and red blends.

Maybe because of its location near the hectic pace of Life in Silicon Valley and San Francisco, Livermore's tasting rooms aren't usually crowded during the day. But that all changes on the weekend, as many wineries host live concerts, dancing, dinners and, of course, delicious wine and innovative cocktails s''wine.

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One of the most unique venues is Almost Famous Wine Co. founded by Darcy and David Kent of Darcie Kent Winery.

"We discovered this old building and decided to turn it into a nightclub," Darcy explained. Today, the club is filled almost every Friday and Saturday night with people dancing to live music and drinking wine.

Many other Livermore wineries also host music and/or dance events until late into the evening. Among them are McGrail, Wood Family, Longevity, Las Positas, Garré and Del Valle. This is a unique feature of Livermore wineries that can't be found in other wine regions, which typically close tasting rooms at 5pm.

Because it's one of California's historic wine regions, it's no surprise that Livermore wines are often''winning top prizes at wine competitions. Livermore wineries took home 174 medals at the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, including the best in their categories, including 3 - unsurprisingly - in the cabernet category.

The wineries that often receive scores above 90 from wine critics includearcie Kent, Cuda Ridge, Steven Kent, McGrail and Wente. One of the most surprising to me was an unofficial chardonnay from newcomer Pruett Farms. It was bright, fresh and delicious with hints of rich golden apples, honeysuckle flowers and a dry aftertaste.

"When I retired from Silicon Valley, my wife and I decided to buy the old winery and farmhouse built here in 1881," explained owner Bob Pruett at a recent tasting. "What amazes me is how much''Friendly and cooperative is everyone here. It's very different from the competitive high-tech world. Everyone here is helpful when you need it. "

The Pruettes include an image of a chicken on the front label of their wine in recognition of the free-ranging chickens that forage among the vines in their vineyard and occasionally leap into the air to steal a bunch of grapes. "The hens seem to enjoy eating grapes," Pruett said, "and sometimes I see our roosters pluck grapes and give them to the smaller hens as gifts." Who knew roosters were so honorable!