Livermore

Wine production began in the Livermore Valley in the 19th century when Robert Livermore planted the area's first vineyards. Located just east of San Francisco across the bay, Livermore was actually one of the first growing zones in California to gain international acclaim for the quality of its wine. A wine from Cresta Blanc Winery was honored in the 1889 Paris Exposition and began to draw attention to the area. Unfortunately Prohibition seriously halted progress here and only two of the area's older wineries, Concannon and Wente, are still operating today. These days most of the producers making wine in Livermore are quite boutique with an emphasis on small lot high quality offerings. Soils in Livermore are primarily composed of gravel similar to the French region of Bordeaux, which translates well to the success of Bordeaux grapes. Weather here is typically warm with a large diurnal swing, similar to the northern reaches of Napa Valley. The regular onshore breeze that rolls off of the San Francisco bay each night helps cool down the vineyards and give vines rest from the heat of the day. While still relatively unheralded in the world of wine, the Livermore Valley is a region capable of tremendous quality that should not be ignored.

Cuda Ridge Wines

January 28, 2019