On November 12 the wineries of Livermore Valley gathered at the St. Regis Hotel for a unique tasting showcasing some of Livermore Valley’s finest wines. Livermore Valley is a historic highlight in the wine industry in California. It is one of California’s oldest wine regions, earning its American Viticultural Area (AVA) status in 1982. The valley played a pivotal role in shaping California’s wine industry.
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- Closest wine region to the Bay Area and surrounded by 7.5 million people – Livermore Valley, 25 miles from downtown San Francisco
Oldest continuously owned and operated family winery –Wente Vineyards of Livermore Valley founded in 1883
- America’s oldest ongoing winery under same family name – Concannon Vineyard of Livermore Valley founded in 1883
- Member of America’s oldest winemaking family (Mirassou Winery founded in 1854) – Steven Mirassou of Steven Kent Winery in Livermore Valley
- Winner of the first international gold medal for wine at Paris Exposition – Charles Wetmore of Cresta Blanca Winery in Livermore brings home the Grand Prize (87 years prior to the Judgment of Paris tasting)
- First bottling of Chardonnay labeled wine – Wente Winery
- Genetic roots for 80% of all Chardonnay vines in California – Wente Winery Wente clone
- Genetic roots for about 80% of California Cabernet Sauvignon vines – Concannon Winery Concannon clone
- First bottling of Petite Sirah labeled wine – Concannon Winery