Wente Vineyards
You know that moment when you visit somewhere so beautiful you just need to take as many pictures as possible to remember the scene? I recently had the awesome opportunity to visit Wente Vineyards in Livermore Valley, right outside of San Francisco. I was excited for the day, but it more than exceeded any expectations. The weather, the scenery, the hospitality, the food, the WINE; it was all fantastic. And like I said, I couldn’t stop taking pictures. So bear with me as I attempt to give our day at Wente even a smidgen of justice!
The day started at Wente Vineyards out in their fabulous tasting room, where we had the honor of trying many of Wente’s best wines.
We also got to sample some of their Entwine brand (which is in partnership with Food Network, SUPER delish!) I immediately loved their approachable style; amazing wines at an affordable price point; and I knew I was in the right spot. I may or may not have ordered a case of my favorites to be delivered to our house. SHHH…don’t tell Pat! :)
After the initial tasting we got to tour the storage rooms and caves of Wente Vineyards! (with a glass of wine in tow of course!). YOU GUYS, the caves. SO COOL. Wente can host everything from rehearsal dinners to wine and cheese tastings in their 3 connected caverns. Wine and cheese tastings in the caves start at $30 a person for groups of 10. So, what 10 friends want to head out there with me ASAP?? (I’m serious…)
The next part of the day was pure magic. Wente Vineyards has the most amazing garden, managed by master gardener Diane Dovholuk.
She gave us a tour of her garden, that she created from scratch, and it was just so inspiring. The garden provides about 50% of the produce needed by the on-site restaurant. The garden is just so lovely, and Diane is a treasure. Learning from her felt like a dream, I just wanted to soak it all in. The vineyard offers coordinated tours of the garden on special occasions, and if you have the chance to attend, GO. You will not regret seeing such a gorgeous site and learning from such a gorgeous person!
See what I mean? ALL THE BEAUTY.
Seeing the garden made me VERY excited for dinner, and of course it was just as amazing as my imagination had built it up to be. From the Black Truffle Ricotta Dip (!!!) to the Llano Seco Ranch Pork Chop, I was in foodie heaven. We paired dinner with a delicious Merlot from the Entwine brand; just so good.
It was just the BEST day. THANK YOU Wente Vineyard for hosting us. It was a dream and I hope to be back very very soon. In fact, I may already be planning a trip for June (Pat needs to try out their golf course!). I can’t stay away. You shouldn’t either!
I can’t leave my partner in crime out of this post! Anetta from The Wanderlust Kitchen and I drove from LA to San Francisco during our California trip. Great conversation, amazing music, lots of adventure, and of course all the best food. I think I’ve found my new travel buddy!
Click HERE for more info on Wente Vineyards, and click HERE for more info on Entwine. Both lines of INCREDIBLE wine can be purchased throughout the country, but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting the Livermore Valley! Let me know if you want to go and I’ll for sure meet you there! :)
Thank you!!! We will try those for sure! I really appreciate you coming back to give me some names!
Hi Becky: It’s been a number of years since we lived there but I loved Rios Lovell, White Crane (is it still there? Small tasting room but great wines!), and Steven Kent (more pricey if I remember correctly but yummy!) I’ve had several friends become members of Steven Kent.
Fun fact: almost every Livermore winery was FREE for tasting when I lived there. Concannon and Wente charged a fee but most everyone else was free. White Crane used to sample NINE wines including 2 ports, 4 reds, 2 whites and a champagne! Concannon was always open the earliest so we’d go there first and then head out to the left and finish up at White Crane.
Have a fun trip! You can’t go wrong at most of the wineries!
Donna
It’s so yummy and crisp! What are your other favorite wineries in Livermore? We are headed back in July and can’t wait to visit some smaller ones as well! Would love your suggestions! :)
That should have said “entwine”! Not Exhale! Darn Autocorrect!
What a wonderful post about Wente! I lived in Livermore for many years and learned to love wine during that time. The sommeliers at the wineries in Livermore are great teachers and very happy to talk about their process and wines! I love the boutique wineries – as well as the larger ones like Wente! Can’t wait to try the new Exhale! I hope they I can find it locally.
We are going back in July also!! I’ll check out Paso Robles, we are definitely going to hit up Sonoma!
Isn’t it gorgeous!! Thanks for stopping by Sara!
Thanks Ashley! Means a ton coming from you!
I hope you love it there Kacey! I’m so jealous you have a family member there. I’m already planning my next trip!
Thank you so much Nora! You need to get out there! This was my first time going and I’m already planning my next trip!!!
Thank you Malinda! Means a lot!
Oh my gosh I know. I’m already planning my next trip. St. Louis is far away but totally worth it!! I’m coming to Chicago for Eat Write Retreat in June, any chance you’ll be there? Would love to meet you!
That would have been so fun!!! Are you close to San Fran (or in San Fran?) I absolutely loved it there.
I’m so jealous of you California natives!! I hope you get out to Wente soon, it’s beautiful!
Hi Becky! Visiting wineries is a favorite pastime for my husband me. We are CA natives, and have been to many of them, but never this one. We have to add it to the list! It is just lovely, and your photos are stunning!
Oh, I wish I had known you were going to be up here so we could have gotten together!! Next time! Wente Vineyards looks absolutely gorgeous. I need to plan a trip over there ASAP. Gorgeous post, Becky!
I am googling “how many hours is it from Illinois to California” :) Your photos are gorgeous, definitely makes me want to go!
Wow you took such gorgeous photos! This looks like such a beautiful and relaxing place to visit!
Going to a vineyard in California is definitely on my bucket list! And the pictures are simply gorgeous!
My sister-in-law lives in California and has been to many vineyards. I need to ask her if she has been here, because it looks amazing (and you guys look like you had a lot of fun!) When we finally visit her this should be on our list!
Simply magnificent photos of a gorgeous location!
Definitely a gorgeous place! I love checking out different vineyards (not that we get to do it often where we live!). Love these photos too!
Love Wente, I live about 30 minutes from it. Your pictures are beautiful!
My favorite place in the world is probably the California wine region. It’s just beautiful there. My husband and I love the Sonoma region and have just discovered the Paso Robles area. In all of our visits, we’ve never been to Wente Vineyards, I’ll have to put it on our July trip list of places to see.