Livermore Valley put California on the international wine map in 1889, capturing America’s first gold medal at the Paris Exposition. The winemaking history here is long and fascinating, beginning in 1844 when Robert Livermore (an English sailor) jumped ship and planted the first vineyards. The Wente and Concannon vineyards, established in the 1880s, are still industry leaders in production today.

Livermore Valley boasts one of the original U.S. appellations granted by the BATF way back in October, 1982. This designation was largely based on the unique, gravel-based soils and the marine winds that are drawn into the valley every afternoon from San Francisco Bay. As with Santa Clara Valley, wineries here struggle with the relentless pressures of urban expansion throughout the Bay Area. About 40 wineries survive, not only on grapes grown in the Livermore Valley, but also from grapes sourced in surrounding appellations. Livermore Valley has always had a strong reputation for the Bordeaux white varietals and continues to produce remarkable Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, even though acreage devoted to these two stars continues to dwindle.