We recently finished Tenuta’s 05 Livermore Syrah.  It is a full-bodied robust wine but doesn’t bite.  We found it interesting to explore from the nose through to the finish.  It oxidizes well and tasted great the second day the bottle was open.  Tenuta has some softer wines but big reds and the friendly tasting room staff are why we visit.

Tenuta Winery picnic area and tasting room

Tenuta’s cozy tasting room and long curved bar make an idea place for friends to gather to enjoy a tasting and conversation.

If the timing is right then catch Richard for his enthusiastic winery tour experience. OK, he gets pretty excited about the wines and the processes but he does calm down for questions.

Tenuta Vineyards was established in 2002 and today produces wines from a wide variety of  varietals such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet, Zinfandel, Primitivo, Syrah, Petite Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and various blends. Tough to beat this great selection!

Tenuta  welcomes holiday parties, picnics, and other private events.  Live music often accompanies the public events.

- Jim

Recently we drove to Livermore for a photo-shoot at Tenuta’s winery, a favorite.  Since we were in the area we decided to explore Deer Ridge Vineyards, a newer winery with nice Tuscan architecture.

Deer Ridge winery, tasting room, and events area.

Besides the pleasent ambiance and very friendly staff they have a nice choice of wines available.  In the last few days we’ve worked over their 2004 Livermore Valley Cab and a killer “Chocolate Silk” Port from Madera grapes. Their Port is VERY addicting

Their Cabs work for us. We like decent nose, full body, and a long finish. Wines have been softened so much for the broader market that we struggle to find interesting reds.

We enjoyed all of their wines but especially the Cabs, Merlot, Zin, and a Pinot with great aroma.  The selection should please most tasters.

The staff is friendly and talkative.  The tasting bar is curved and comfortable.  There is a little art gallery in the hall and sometimes in the meeting hall during events.  Outside is a patio with a nice view of the mountains.

Adjacent to the winery is an early California style  2 bedroom guest house.  It is new, beautiful, has a great view, and a large oak shelters it.  $375 for the first night is probably competitive. We would love to hang out there for a week – with a good stock of Deer Ridge wine.

- jim

Bent Creek Winery has a small tasting room and nice picnic areas at the end of a long driveway off a Livermore Valley, CA back road. The trouble with visiting Bent Creek is that it is wildly popular. The wines are good but it is also the romantic setting in a small canyon with an intimate and friendly tasting room that draws us, and so many others, to Bent Creek.

Katya and I recently visited a few Livermore Valley wineries with some popular wine Twitters. The tasting bar was crowded but the staff put our small group at a table on the back deck with a view of the little canyon and vineyards. I could have kicked back there all day. We were served a nice variety of their wines but for us one really stood out – their Cab / Syrah Red on Red blend.

I’m not sure where the subtle coffee comes from but we love it! Others in our group didn’t seem to enjoy it as much as we did. We tasted Red on Red again at home over the next few days and it remains interesting each day. It is definitely on our to buy list the next time we are in the Livermore Valley. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch there on our next trip.

- jim