The Forgotten Grand Prize Award.

Most people reading this blog have probably seen the movie "Bottle Shock" released in 2008. Everyone hailed the wineries this movie was based loosely on, Chateau Montelena and Stags Leap, for winning gold medals in 1976 at the "Judgment of Paris" blind tasting for their 1973 Chardonnay and 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon respectively.

However, in 1889 at the Paris Exposition. Charles A. Wetmore won the Grand Prize award for his wine, Cresta Blanca Sauternes, from his Cresta Blanca Winery in Livermore, CA. Adrian Chauche’s Livermore Valley Monte-Rouge Vineyard and Winery was also awarded a gold medal. Sadly as with many old wineries, Cresta Blanca and Monte-Rouge Vineyard and Winery, stopped producing wine as prohibition was passed in 1919.  

Monte-Rouge Vineyard and Winery burned in 1931. Cresta Blanca stands today as the Wente Vineyards and is registered as a California Historical Landmark #586.

What's happening this weekend in Livermore Wine Country

This is the last weekend to purchase your holiday wine. Here are a few places you might consider making your selection.

Vino Acoustico
Date & Time: Friday, December 16, 2011 (5:30 - 8pm)
Who: Page Mill Winery
URL: www.PageMillWinery.com
Where: 1960 S. Livermore Ave, Livermore, CA, 94550
Cost: $15.00
Come unwind after a crazy week with some wine and snacks and Live Music by KNR band. $10.00 for Underground Wine Club Members or $15.00 for non members

Sparkling Wine on Sale at Ruby Hill Winery
Date & Time: Friday, December 16, 2011 - Saturday, December 31, 2011 (11am - 5:30pm)
Who: Ruby Hill Winery
URL: www.rubyhillwinery.net
Where: 400 Vineyard Ave., Livermore Valley, Pleasanton, CA, 94566
Just in time for Holiday Entertaining! California Sparkling Wine from Ruby Hill Winery Special Holiday Pricing: $11/bottle Case Discount of 10%--you may combine with other wines Club Discounts still apply Open Christmas Even 11am-3pm Open New Year's Eve 11am - 4pm Cheers!

Sparkling Wine Release & Tasting
Date & Time: Saturday, December 17, 2011 (12 - 4:30pm)
Who: Page Mill Winery
URL: www.PageMillWinery.com
Where: 1960 S. Livermore Ave, Livermore, CA, 94550
Cost: $5.00
Come taste our fabulous new sparkling wine made at Page Mill Winery using the Methode Champenoise process! This brut will be part of a special tasting on Saturday ONLY!

New Release and wood fired pizza
Date & Time: Saturday, December 17, 2011 - Saturday, December 17, 2011 (12 - 5pm)
Who: Nottingham Cellars
URL: www.nottinghamcellars.com
Where: 2245 S. Vasco Rd. Unit C, , Livermore, CA, 94550. Be the first to try our 2009 Ralphi s Red Blend! The 2008 Ralphi's which scored 89 Points in Wine Enthusiast and won several medals is nearly sold out! The 2009 picks up right where the 07 and the 08 left off!!! We will also have Ken's Wood Fired Pizza here cooking delicious pizza for you to purchase.

2009 Thatcher Bay Vineyard Merlot Release Weekend
Date & Time: Saturday, December 17, 2011 - Sunday, December 18, 2011 (12 - 5pm)
Who: Occasio Winery
URL: www.occasiowinery.com
Where: 2245B South Vasco Road, Livermore, CA, 94550
Cost: $5.00
Join us for the public release of our 2009 Thatcher Bay Merlot, just in time for the Holidays. Plus, experience the wonders of Ken's Wood-Fired Pizzas, baked onsite!

BYOB
Date & Time: Sunday, December 18, 2011 (12 - 4:30pm)
Who: Page Mill Winery
URL: www.PageMillWinery.com
Where: 1960 S. Livermore Ave, Livermore, CA, 94550
Bring your empty wine bottles and we will fill them with a Cabernet Franc/Petite Sirah blend for just $8.49 each! Don't have empty bottles? We can provide them for just .50 cents. Rinse bottles with hot water, NO SOAP and we'll do the rest! BYOB is the 3rd Sunday of each month and features a different wine each time.

Complimentary Member's Barrel Tasting
Date & Time: Sunday, December 18, 2011 (1 - 4pm)
Who: Occasio Winery
URL: www.occasiowinery.com
Where: 2245B South Vasco Road, Livermore, CA, 94550
Join us as we celebrate year end at the winery, and look back at past vintages with a barrel tasting of Cabernets from some of our favorite vineyards, as well as preview some special future releases.

Evening with Boa Venture de Caires winemaker Brett Caires

I just got the lowdown on the pairing tonight.

Evening with the Winemaker
Brett de Caires
BoaVentura de Caires Winery

Tonight 6:30pm to 8:00pm.
$15.00

First Pairing
BoaVentura de Caires 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
with Margherita pizza

Second Pairing
Boa Ventura de Caires 2008 "mutt" red wine
with JR's Turkey Chili topped with Blue Cheese crumble

Third Pairing
BoaVentura de Caires 2010 White table wine
with brie and apricot chutney.

This will be a live Webcast.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/winemaker-s-pour

Evening with the Winemaker - Live Webcast

Brett de Caires, winemaker, from Boa Ventura Winery in livermore, CA will be at the Winemaker's Pourhouse tonight. He will be discussing his wines and will pour samples. This will be a live Webcast for those who are not in the area.



If you go:
Where:
The Winemaker's PourHouse
2241 First Street in downtown Livermore, California Map
http://www.winemakerspourhouse.com

When:
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2011 6:30pm to 8:00pm.

Live Webcast
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/winemaker-s-pour

Wine American Style

This holiday season there has been a lot of talk about buy "American and create jobs". ABC World News had a on going special on this to show that when people bought products from American companies that they featured it would create jobs. Evidently it did.

With that said, buy wine from your local winery. It's made in America and most often it's a small business. You can search for a local winery near you here.

Tis The Season.

Holiday activities in the Livermore Wine Country this weekend.
Vendors, carolers, arts and crafts and of course great wine.

For a concise list of all the actives click here.