Where to Next?: Wine Country - Its Not Just Napa!

When most people think about wine tasting in California they immediately think of Napa or maybe even Sonoma. Both are lovely places and offer a lot of wineries for your tasting pleasure but both have become touristy and crowded and if that's not your shtick, then I suggest Livermore.

Livermore, the place known for a physics lab more than anything, is home to one of the oldest wine making communities in California. The first vines were planted in the 1840's and they've been making wines there since the 1880's - long before the US even had a real interest in wines. Wente is the biggest producer and probably the best known.

There are 50+ wineries in the Livermore Valley making all sort of interesting and very high end wines. It's way low-key, you can hang out with the owners, winemakers and people who genuinely LOVE wine.

Steven Kent Winery Lineage Tasting Room!

You might even find this secret swing in the middle of a vineyard!

This map will help you find your way around - but many of the wineries are located on Tesla Rd.

There there is downtown Livermore. It's not big but it's also not touristy. Almost all independent shops, boutiques, restaurants and services line the main drag and side streets. Of course wine is a main feature of most everything but there are charming shops with interesting people, local artisans, and generally cool stuff.

One music shop donates 100% of their funds to charity. The owners don't even take a salary.
There's the Donut Wheel which has probably been there since the 1960's and is open 24/7.

Double Barrel Wine Bar is a very fun place to hang out. They have street side seating and inside seating and a lovely bar but the best spot is in the back patio when a band is in the house. These seats require a reservation most nights and they are very worth it! Big comfy couches with plush throws to keep you warm, fire pits, heaters and great food like the sashimi nachos and funky pizza. Of course with lots of great local wines to wash them down.