Greetings my friends!
I would like to start my post with a little history note about Livermore Valley. It's taken from official site of Livermore Appellation https://www.lvwine.org/history.php : " Less than an hour east of San Francisco, Livermore Valley Wine Country welcomes visitors with a flourish expanse 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. Spanish missionaries planted the first wine grapes in the Livermore Valley in the 1760s. In the 1840s, California pioneers looking for outstanding vineyard sites began planting grapes in the region. 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.Livermore Valley captured America's first international gold medal for wine in 1889 at the Paris Exposition, putting California on the world wine map. "
I'm very happy that I visited one of the legendary vineyard of James Concannon "Concannon Vineyard" in August of 2014.
4590 Tesla Road, Livermore,CA-94550. Hours; Daily, 11 am-4.30 pm.
The wine tasting cost $10 only with 5-6 varities of wine. Every tasting start with white wines, crispy and little too acidity. But at the end of tasting You will enjoy rich red wines, and maybe dessert sweet wines. This is main rule of every wine tasting in wineries .
I'm a big fan of rich red wines with big potential, diffucult bouquets and long after- taste. Especially I liked 2009 Reserve Syrah Reserve Syrah is extremely rich, full-bodied wine with a dark fruit core. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis and dark cherry are followed by more berry fruits and chocolate an mocha on the palate. Alcohol 14,9% ! WOW!!!! Food pairing: Sweet and spicy barbeque ribs or hangar steak with pommel frites. $25 per bottle. So sad that I didn't spend this money for one bottle for my collection. Well, next time!
The main credo of this place saying that :"While visiting Concannon Vineyard, our friendly and knowledgeable Tasting Room staff will help create a memorable Concannon experience". This is absolutely true! One of Associate told me that it's not necessary to have Sommelier Diploma to work at Tasting Room. This is a common of requirements for Tasting Room Managers. Almost 70 years old gentleman looks very happy with his part-time position. He gave me a good advice :"You just need to have some artistic skills to entertain guests, explain the difference between wines and some bartender skills. And of course Excellent verbal skills". Not so bad! I have my charm and Diploma of Hospitality Management. And anyway I will start with WSET Level 1 before I will start to look for internship at the winery. Maybe it will be little bit more helpful for me as a foreigner !)))
I did't know about this famous winery absolutely nothing. I came there not being prepared. Only after this visit I found this information in booklet:
For over 125 years, the histories of the California wine country and Concannon Vineyard have been intrinsically linked. Four generations of family involvement has a rich history of firsts:
- A Founding Family of California Wines – Over 127 years as the first successful Irish-American winery in the U.S. in 1883.
- Bucking the trend by varietally labeling Petite Sirah, before any other U.S. winery with vintage 1961.
- Pioneering clones 7 and 8, the bedrocks of California Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1970s, replanting many of Napa Valley vineyards.
They have very rich selection of different wine tastings in private Tasting Room . Ohhh! It's my dream just invite all my big family and celebrate my Birthday on Private Wine tasting only for us !!! Entertainment for all members of my Family, good wine, good company and cheese with olive and snacks.
Private Wine Tasting
Includes: A private tasting in a historic, Concannon setting;
a flight of five Reserve wines; a personal Estate Ambassador.
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: $15/Guest, $10/Member
Available: Daily at 11:00am,
12:00pm and 1:30pm, or by appointment
a flight of five Reserve wines; a personal Estate Ambassador.
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: $15/Guest, $10/Member
Available: Daily at 11:00am,
12:00pm and 1:30pm, or by appointment
Legacy Private Wine Tasting
Includes: An exclusive tasting in a historic, Concannon setting; a flight of five Heritage and/or aged, limited vintage wines; a personal Estate Ambassador; small bites.
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: $50/Guest, $40/Member
Minimum: For parties of eight or more
Available: Daily at 12:00pm or by appointment
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: $50/Guest, $40/Member
Minimum: For parties of eight or more
Available: Daily at 12:00pm or by appointment
Private Tour & Tasting
Includes: A 45-minute educational tour; a 45-minute
private tasting in a historic, Concannon setting; a flight
of five Reserve wines; a personal Estate Ambassador.
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: $20/Guest, $15/Member
Minimum: For parties of eight or more
Available: Daily at 11:00am,
12:00pm and 1:30pm, or by appointment
private tasting in a historic, Concannon setting; a flight
of five Reserve wines; a personal Estate Ambassador.
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: $20/Guest, $15/Member
Minimum: For parties of eight or more
Available: Daily at 11:00am,
12:00pm and 1:30pm, or by appointment
The Art of Blending
Includes: A white wine and small bites welcome; an intriguing, red wine blending experience in a private, historic setting; a wine tasting and blending tutorial; a personal Estate Ambassador; a
specially-labeled bottle of a Concannon Reserve wine for each guest.
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: $70/Guest, $60/Member
Minimum: For parties of twelve or more
Available: Daily at 2:30pm or by appointment
specially-labeled bottle of a Concannon Reserve wine for each guest.
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: $70/Guest, $60/Member
Minimum: For parties of twelve or more
Available: Daily at 2:30pm or by appointment
Wine and Artisan
Cheese Pairing
Includes: An exclusive tasting in a historic, Concannon
setting; a delicious pairing of five Reserve wines and
five artisan cheeses; a personal Estate Ambassador.
Duration: 60 minutes
Cost: $45/Guest, $35/Member
Minimum: For parties of eight or more
Available: Daily at 11:00am, 12:00pm
and 1:30pm, or by appointment
setting; a delicious pairing of five Reserve wines and
five artisan cheeses; a personal Estate Ambassador.
Duration: 60 minutes
Cost: $45/Guest, $35/Member
Minimum: For parties of eight or more
Available: Daily at 11:00am, 12:00pm
and 1:30pm, or by appointment
Swirl, Sip and Savor
A Sensory Wine Adventure
Includes: A unique experience in a historic,
Concannon setting; a tutorial on how to taste wine;
three comparative varietal wine tastings; four Concannon
Reserve wines paired with small bites and a food pairing
tutorial; a personal Estate Ambassador.
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: $70/Guest, $60/Member
Minimum: For parties of twelve or more
Available: Daily at 2:30pm or by appointment
Concannon setting; a tutorial on how to taste wine;
three comparative varietal wine tastings; four Concannon
Reserve wines paired with small bites and a food pairing
tutorial; a personal Estate Ambassador.
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: $70/Guest, $60/Member
Minimum: For parties of twelve or more
Available: Daily at 2:30pm or by appointment
Also they have very cute shades area for picnic. You can see tables behind me. BUT! They have some rules for that! Let me share with You some rules of norm behavior and rules of good conduct at this winery:
- Our picnic facilities are for the enjoyment of Concannon Tasting Room or Underdog Wine Bar guests only. Please call (925) 456-2505 for more information.
- Kindly note that Concannon Vineyard is private property and not a public park. Outside alcohol brought into the private estate is strictly prohibited.
- Wine may be purchased in our tasting rooms and wine bars. No outside wines or alcohol are permitted on the property.
- Please enjoy picnic food on the lawn area only. Camping and cooking equipment is not permitted.
- Please keep a close watch on your children. Tree climbing and picking grapes and leaves off the vines is not allowed.
- Always be courteous to other guests.
- All lawn activities should be kept 20 feet or more away from the patio and arbor areas.
- Please do not engage in any airborne sporting activities, lawn games are allowed.
- No amplified music is allowed.
- Dogs must be on leash and kept to the outdoor areas. Please remain with your pet at all times and pick up after your pet to keep the property clean.
- Please enjoy and respect the property by disposing of all trash in the provided trash bins.
- Please dress comfortably and appropriately. Shoes and shirts are required; swimwear is not allowed.
- Concannon Vineyard is a smoke-free site. Smoking and use of tobacco products is prohibited.
- The lawn and picnic areas close at sundown.
- Please enjoy picnic food on the lawn area only. Camping and cooking equipment is not permitted.
I hope it's legal to share some historical and commertion information from these 2 sites. And also I took from Internet these 2 photos to show You how beautiful this building. Unfortunately, I din'd visit this house inside because it was reserved for some wedding photo-shoot. And it's very common here. I hope some day You will visit this amazing place! And I wish to come back here again!
Thank You so much for Your attention!
And wish me luck with my next post!
