Livermore Valley Wine Country Rumors - or Maybe not.

Where to begin? 

Tamas Estate label will be consumed by Wente Vineyards. 

Mitchell Katz will be leaving it's current location by the end of the year and may have a location on North Livermore Ave. 

White Crane Winery has a new owner and will undoubtedly have a new name.  The Three Steves will take residency in the White Crane Winery.  I'm sure they will hang shingle with their own name on it.  Some say what goes around comes around.

Cedar Mountain Winery is up for sale.

The original wine country is going through some changes.  Stay tuned.

 

Looks like the Livermore Fireworks committee pulled it off.  They brought  back the Livermore fireworks. They get a high five from me. http://livermorefireworks.org






 The committee named Nottingham Cellars as the featured winery for the event.  Available for purchase was 2011 Chardonnay and a non-vintage red blend, appropriately named Rocket Red.
http://nottinghamcellars.com

I don't normally write about other beverages than wine, however it is worth noting that the new Livermore brewery. The first one since the eighteenth amendment to the constitution in 1920 prohibiting alcohol sales and transport. Altamont Beer Works brewed three beers for this event, Left Coast Session, Shelter IPA, and Birra Bianco. The beer was definitely a hit. http://altamontbeerworks.com

Congratulations to the Livermore Fireworks Committee.

Volunteers in the Livermore Wine Country bring back the Livermore Fireworks

Yes, I normally write about wine.  Today I will still write about wine. Don't let the title fool you.

I recently found out about an offer from an online Livermore coupon company. They are offering a coupon for $12 for $24 to spend at En Garde Winery in the Livermore Valley.
http://localgruv.com/deal/en-garde-winery



En Garde is one of the newest wineries in Livermore. En Garde opened their tasting room late summer of 2011.  They really made a splash at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. They won a Double Gold Medal for their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - Diamond Mountain - Napa Valley.

One of great things about this coupon offer is that a portion of the proceeds go to the LARPD Foundation Livermore Fireworks.


The city of Livermore had to cancel the fireworks last year due to budget constraints. This year a group of committed volunteers have gotten together to raise funds for the fireworks event.  They will have a fundraising event in March.

If you go:
What: Help Bring Back The Livermore Fireworks Fundraiser
When: Thursday, March 22, 2012
Time: 5;30pm - 8:30pm
Where: Robert Livermore Community Center, 4444 East Ave., Livermore, CA
Details: Live acoustic classic rock by Roger Kardinal, wine and beer tasting provided by Little Valley Winery, Thomas Coyne Winery, Wente Vineyards and Sierra Nevada, light appetizers provided by The Winemaker's Pour House, Double Barrel Wine Bar, Flaca's Salsa & Chips and natural desert sweets provided by Gerard'Z Honeybees. Raffle prize drawings consisting of autographed sports memorabilia, diamond jewelry, personal care, Livermore Valley wine, gift cards and more.
For more information:
(925) 290-8295
http://livermorefireworks.org
http://www.facebook.com/Livermorefireworks
http://www.twitter.com/livfireworks
Livermore Area Recreation and Park District Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization Tax ID Number 94-3206650

Concerns in the Livermore Valley Wine Country

Mark Clarin, Livermore Valley winemaker at McGrail Vineyards. Best known for winning the best of class at the San Francisco Chronicle 2012 wine competition for his McGrail 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, said he is concerned.

Recently Clarin saw water seeping from a fresh cutting on a vine. This is the first sign of vines waking up from their dormant period. Buds could soon follow. This is a concern because it's not March yet and there could still be another freeze. Winter is not declared to be over yet. Jim Ryan, of Concannon Vineyard, has started irrigation. Irrigating now will provide ice crystals to protect the vine from frost.

Napa and Sonoma, unlike the Livermore Valley, will use large fans.  They do not benefit from the winds that the Livermore Valley experiences.

A close watch will be kept on the Livermore Valley vineyards for the next five to six weeks.

Livermore Valley at 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Thirty Livermore Valley wineries picked up 143 awards!

Here's the list.

RED SWEEPSTAKES WINNER





McGrail Vineyards & Winery
2008 Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve $36.00


BEST OF CLASS
Cabernet Sauvignon - $25.00 to $29.99
Bent Creek Wines 2009 Livermore Valley. $25.00

Syrah/Shiraz - $40.00 & over
Wente Vineyards 2008 Livermore Valley, Nth Degree. $49.99

Merlot - $20.00 to $24.99
Cuda Ridge Wines 2009 Livermore Valley. $23.00

Rhone Other Varietals & Blends-over $20.00
Thomas Coyne Winery 2009 San Francisco Bay, Reserve, Red Rhone Blend "Quest". $24.00

DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL
Chardonnay - $30.00 to $34.99
Darcie Kent Vineyards 2010 Livermore Valley, De Mayo. $30.00

Merlot - $15.00 to $19.99
Fenestra Winery 2007 Livermore Valley, Thatcher Bay Vineyard. $19.00

Cabernet Sauvignon - $20.00 to $24.99
Page Mill Winery 2008 Livermore Valley. $24.00
Wente Vineyards 2009 Livermore Valley, Charles Wetmore. $24.99

All Other Red Varietals/Blends - up to $19.99
Tamas Estates 2009 Central Coast, Double Decker, Red Blend. $12.99

Port
Bent Creek Wines 2009 Livermore Valley, Zinfandel Port. $23.00
Rios-Lovell Estate Winery NV Livermore Valley, Rios Lovell Estate, Zinfandel Syrah Port. $24.00

GOLD MEDAL
Sauvignon Blanc or Fume - $14.00 to $19.99Sauvignon Blanc or Fume - $14.00 to $19.99
Darcy Kent Vineyards 2010 Monterey, the Rava Black Jack Vineyard - $18.00
Page Mill Winery 2011 Livermore Valley Ghielmetti Vineyard $18.00
Concannon Vineyard 2010 Monterey County Reserve $20.00

Chardonnay - $20.00 to $24.99
Concannon Vineyard 2010 Livermore Valley, Reserve. $20.00

All Other White Varietals and Blends
Fenestra Winery 2010 Lodi, Silvaspoons Vineyard, Verdehlo. $15.00
Fenestra Winery 2010 Livermore Valley, Semonnay $16.00

Zinfandel - $25.00 to $29.99
Charles R. Vineyards 2009 Livermore Valley. $28.00
Wood Family Vineyards 2009 Livermore Valley, Muy Bueno. $28.00

Sangiovese
Tamas Estates 2009 SFBay/Livermore Valley, Riserva. $21.99

Syrah/Shiraz - $20.00 to $24.99
Concannon Vineyard 2009 Livermore Valley, Reserve. $24.99
Fenestra Winery 2007 Livermore Valley, Estate $20.00
Mitchell Katz Winery 2009 Livermore Valley, Abboud Acres, Shiraz. $24.00

Petite Sirah - $20.00 & Over
Concannon Vineyard 2008 Livermore Valley, Captain Joe's Reserve. $30.00

Merlot - $10.00 to $14.99
Wente Vineyards 2009 Livermore Valley, Sandstone. $14.99

Merlot - $40.00 & Over
Wente Vineyards 2007 Livermore Valley, Nth Degree. $54.99

Cabernet Sauvignon - $20.00 to $24.99
Fenestra Winery 2007 Livermore Valley, Thatcher Bay Vineyard. $24.00

Petit Verdot
Thomas Coyne Winery 2008 Lodi, $20.00

Bordeaux Blends - $30.00 to $39.99
Crooked Vine Winery 2009 Livermore Valley, Del Arroyo Vineyards, Moxie. $32.00


SILVER MEDAL
Bordeaux - $20.00 & over
Steven Kent Winery 2010 Livermore Valley, Ghielmetti Vineyard, Lola $20.00

Chardonnay - up to $9.99
Mitchell Katz Winery 2010 Livermore Valley, Shadow Hills. $9.99

Chardonnay - $15.00 to $19.99
Fenestra Winery 2010 Livermore Valley. $18.00
Wente Vineyards 2010 Arroyo Seco, Riva Ranch. $19.99

Chardonnay - $20.00 to $24.99
Charles R Vineyards 2010 Livermore Valley, Sur Lie. $20.00
Stony Ridge Winery 2010 Livermore Valley, Del Arroyo Vineyards. $20.00
Wood Family Vineyards 2010 Livermore Valley, Para Mas Amigas. $22.00

Chardonnay - $30.00 to $34.99
McGrail Vineyards & Winery 2009 Livermore Valley. $30.00

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio - Up to $14.99
Concannon Vineyard 2010 Central Coast, Selected Vineyards, Pino Grigio. $9.99
Tamas Estates 2010 Central Coast, Pinot Grigio. $12.99

Zinfandel - up to $19.99
Tamas Estates 2009 Central Coast. $12.99

Sangiovese
Mitchell Katz Winery 2009 Livermore Valley, Crackerbox. $30.00

Syrah/Shiraz - $20.00 to $24.99
Charles R Vineyards 2008 Livermore Valley. $23.00
Mitchell Katz Winery 2009 Livermore Valley, Clarks Corner. $24.00
Wood Family Vineyards 2008 Livermore Valley, Madden Ranch. $24.00

Petite Sirah - Up to $19.99
Concannon Vineyard 2008 Livermore Valley, Conservancy. $14.00
Concannon Vineyard 2009 Central Coast, Selected Vineyards. $9.99

Petite Sirah - $20.00 & Over
Concannon Vineyard 2007 Livermore Valley, Hertiage. $60.00
Crooked Vine Winery 2008 Livermore Valley, Del Arroyo Vineyards. $34.00
Fenestra Winery 2008 Livermore Valley, Ghielmetti Vineyard. $27.00
Mitchell Katz Winery 2008 Livermore Valley, Falling Star. $24.00
Mitchell Katz Winery 2009 Livermore Valley, Clark's Corner. $24.00

Merlot- up to $9.99
Concannon Vineyard 2010 Central Coast, Selected Vineyards. $9.99

Merlot - $10.00 to $14.99
Concannon Vineyard 2008 Livermore Valley, Conservancy. $14.00

Cabernet Sauvignon - up to $14.99
Concannon Vineyard 2010 Central Coast, Selected Vineyards. $9.99
Concannon Vineyard 2010 Livermore Valley, Conservancy. $14.00

Cabernet Sauvignon - $20.00 to $24.99
Harris Tesla Vineyard 2007 Livermore Valley, Harris Tesla. $24.00

Cabernet Sauvignon - $30.00 to $34.99
Cuda Ridge Wines 2009 Livermore Valley. $32.00
Nottingham Cellars 2009 Livermore Valley, Varietal Expressions. $32.00

Cabernet Sauvignon - $40.00 to $49.99
The Steven Kent Winery 2008 Livermore Valley, $45.00

Cabernet Sauvignon - $60.00 & Over
Wente Vineyards 2009 Livermore Valley, Nth Degree. $64.99

Cabernet Franc
Wente Vineyards 2009 Livermore Valley, Small Lot. $34.99

Petit Verdot
Fenestra Winery 2008 Livermore Valley, Ghielmetti Vineyard. $33.00
Murrieta's Well 2008 Livermore Valley, Los Tesoros De Joaquin. $25.00

Bordeaux Blends - $20.00 to $29.99
Kissos 2009 Sonoma County, Sonoma Red, Mayari. $25.00
Murrieta's Well 2009 Livermore Valley, The Spur, Red Blend. $24.99
Rios-Lovell Estate Winery 2005 Livermore Valley, Rios Lovell Estate, Cab/Merlot. $22.00

Bordeaux Blends - $40.00 to $49.99
Fenestra Winery 2007 Livermore Valley, Conjugation. $42.00

Tempranillo
Fenestra Winery 2008 Livermore Valley. $36.00
Longevity 2009 Livermore Valley, $26.00

Port
Eagle Ridge Vineyard 2005 Livermore Valley, Madlyn. $25.00
Rios-Lovell Estate Winery NV Livermore Valley, Rios Lovell Estate, Petite Sirah Port. $24.00
Rios-Lovell Estate Winery NV Livermore Valley, Rios Lovell Estate, Mourvedre Barbera Port. $24.00
Rios-Lovell Estate Winery NV Livermore Valley, Rios Lovell Estate, Syrah Port. $24.00
Rios-Lovell Estate Winery NV Livermore Valley, Rios Lovell Estate, Cabernet Franc Port. $24.00


BRONZE MEDAL
Chardonnay - up to $9.99
Concannon Vineyard 2010 Central Coast, Selected Vineyards. $9.99

Sauvignon Blanc or Fume - $20.00 & Over
Murrieta's Well 2010 Livermore Valley, Los Tesors De Juaquin, Semillon Chardonnay. $24.00

Chardonnay - $15.00 to $19.99
Page Mill Winery 2010 Livermore Valley, Chandler Vineyard. $18.00

Chardonnay - $20.00 to $24.99
Darcie Kent Vineyards 2010 Monterey County, West Pinnacles. $24.00
Retzlaff Estate Winery 2009 Livermore Valley, Retzlaff Estate. $20.00
Ruby Hill Winery 2009 Livermore Valley, Reserve. $20.00

Sparkling Wine
Stoney Ride Winery Semi Dry NV Sparkling Malvasia Bianca from the Del Arroyo Vineyards. $19.00

Riesling - RS < 1.49
Wente Vineyards 2009 Livermore Valley, Riverbank. $12.99

Sauvignon Blanc or Fume - $20.00 & Over
Kisso 2010 Napa Valley $20.00

All Other White Varietals and Blends
Darcie Kent Vineyards 2010 Monterey County, West Pinnacles, Gruner Veltliner. $18.00

Pinot Noir - up to $19.99
Concannon Vineyard 2010 Central Coast, Selected Vineyards. $9.99
Darcie Kent Vineyards 2009 Monterey, Rava Blackjack. $18.00

Pinot Noir - $25.00 to $29.99
Wente Vineyards 2008 Arroyo Seco, Reliz Creek. $24.99

Zinfandel - $20.00 to $24.99
Bent Creek Wines 2009 Livermore Valley. $24.00
Page Mill Winery 2008 Lodi, Spenker Vineyard. $22.00

Zinfandel - $25.00 to $29.99
Wood Family Vineyards 2009 Livermore Valley, Hansen Ranch. $26.00

Syrah/Shiraz - $20.00 to $24.99
Rios-Lovell Estate Winery 2007 Livermore Valley, Rios Lovell Estate. $22.00

Syrah/Shiraz - $25.00 to $29.99
Bent Creek Wines 2009 Livermore Valley. $25.00

Petite Sirah - $20.00 & Over
Concannon Vineyard 2008 Livermore Valley, Reserve. $38.00
Concannon Vineyard 2008 Livermore Valley, Nina's Cuvee Reserve. $30.00
Darcie Kent Vineyards 2008 Livermore Valley, Madden Ranch. $24.00
Las Positas Vineyards 2007 Livermore Valley, Casa de Vinas Covarrubias. $32.00

Rhone Other Varietals & Blends-up to $19.99
Thomas Coyne 2009 California, Red Rhone Blend "Quest". $14.00

Merlot - $25.00 to $29.99
Retzlaff Estate Winery 2006 Livermore Valley, Retzlaff Estate. $27.00

Cabernet Sauvignon - $60.00 & Over
Concannon Vineyard 2007 Livermore, Heritage. $60.00
En Garde Winery 2007 Diamond Mountain District - Napa Valley, Reserve. $88.00

Cabernet Franc
Crooked Vine Winery 2009 Livermore Valley, Del Arroyo Vineyards. $31.00
En Garde Winery 2009 Diamond Mountain District - Napa Valley. $58.00
Fenestra Winery 2008 Livermore Valley, Ghielmetti Vineyard. $27.00

Petit Verdot
Crooked Vine Winery 2008 Lodi, Del Arroyo Vineyards. $30.00
Cuda Ridge Wines 2009 Livermore Valley. $32.00

Bordeaux Blends - $30.00 to $39.99
Retzlaff Estate Winery 2005 Livermore Valley, Retzlaff Estate, Cab.Merlot. $37.00

Tempranillo
Fenestra Winery 2009 Lodi, Silvaspoons Vineyard. $23.00

All Other Red Varietals/Blends - up to $19.99
Ruby Hill Winery 2009 Livermore Valley, Grapeful Red, Red Blend. $15.00


Here is link to all the awards at the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Summary by the San Francisco Examiner.