Situated less than an hour east of the vibrant city of San Francisco, Livermore Valley shines as a serene haven in Northern California Wine Country. One of California’s oldest wine regions, this hidden gem is home to a diverse collection of welcoming wineries offering an array of award-winning varietals and tasting experiences.

Looking for a picturesque picnic among the vines? Or perhaps you’d prefer to sip fine wines to the tune of live music? The Livermore Valley has all that and more. With so many delightful wineries it’s hard to go wrong, but to help you plan, we’re highlighting 18 Livermore wineries worth checking out on your next visit.

Wineries with Food

Fancy some gourmet bites with your wine tasting? Livermore Valley won’t disappoint. At Las Positas Vineyards, enjoy tapas, flatbreads, salads, and regular live music on their spacious patio. This family- and dog-friendly spot is known for its small-lot wines that blend Old World techniques with New World flair. Be sure to try their white sweepstake winner from the 2024 SF Chronicle wine awards, 2023 Verdelho. Just down the road, Del Valle Winery, offers artisanal charcuterie and cheese boards that perfectly pair with their diverse wine selection, from Sangiovese to Grenache Rosé. For those with a taste for Italian, make your way to Garre Vineyard & Winery for lunch or dinner. Here, the Garre family pays homage to their roots with traditional Genoan dishes—from fried Castelvetrano olives to fresh pasta and pizza—which complement their Italian varietals like Primitivo and Sangiovese.

A Glass with a View

What could be better than enjoying a glass of wine with a breathtaking view? How about adding some fun outdoor games into the mix? At McGrail Vineyards & Winery, you can sip their celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, or Chardonnay by the glass or bottle while playing lawn games or listening to live music under the sun, surrounded by panoramic views. Meanwhile, Murrieta’s Well offers up sprawling vineyard views from their vista patio while you sip wines whose ancestral cuttings came from prestigious historical estates. Don’t miss their Sunset Hiking Experience, which takes the stunning scenery to the next level with golden hour light. A bottle of wine and charcuterie board for two further seals the deal on this memorable experience! Lastly, BoaVentura de Caires is a Livermore winery renowned for its stunning setting, rustic features, and Cabernet wines, making it a popular choice for weddings and other events in Livermore.

“Bring a Picnic” Wineries

Pop by Livermore’s farmers’ markets on Thursdays (in season) and Sundays to pick up fresh picnic essentials for your wine tasting adventures. Bent Creek Winery welcomes outside food and offers pretty scenery, not to mention hand-selected wine flights, to complement your al fresco meal. Or, enjoy your picnic surrounded by a California native garden as you savor Italian and Bordeaux-inspired sips at Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery. They also have charcuterie boxes on offer for those who don’t have time to gather picnic supplies (just make sure to order ahead!). For a DIY dining experience, stop in to Page Mill Winery for their Twilight Tasting. Held weekly, you can listen to live music while noshing on your own snacks and tasting their delicious signature GPS (Grenache, Petit Sirah, and Syrah), with proceeds going to that week’s selected charity.

Wineries with Music

For a relaxed vibe, head to Wood Family Vineyards for its laid-back approach to wine tasting (six sips for $20!), accompanied by live music on Acoustic Wednesdays or Fun Fridays. Continue your musical vineyard tour at Retzlaff Estate Winery, where you’ll find live music and food trucks most weekends. They also just happen to be the only California Certified Organic vineyard in the greater San Francisco Bay region.

To continue your wine tasting experience into the evening, don’t miss Almost Famous Wine Company, where wine is paired with a world-class stage—the name is Almost Famous, after all! With a 15-wine portfolio produced in partnership with their sister winery, Darcie Kent, you’ll find their award-winning Pistachio Lane Chardonnay and Strong Silent Type Cabernet Franc by the glass or bottle as you take in the truly famous performances. Just note that Almost Famous is only open at night, so plan accordingly.

Wineries for Red Lovers

Livermore, the first California region to bottle Petite Syrah, is a paradise for red wine lovers. Cuda Ridge Wines prides itself on its small-lot, Bordeaux-style reds, including its bold Cabernet Sauvignon and equally punchy Pinot Verdot. Dive in, tastebuds first, at the Bordeaux Tasting Experience, held in either the gallery room or on their charming vineyard patio. You can keep the Livermore red wine exploration going at Steven Kent Winery, known for producing highly rated Cabernet Franc wines. They even produce a Cabernet Franc Blanc and Cabernet Franc Rosé! Book the Library Flight to journey through their finest grapes and wines. Women-owned and operated, JMC Cellars specializes in high quality, small-production wines. A stop here means you’ll get to sample lesser-known reds like Peloursin and Teroldego, expanding your palate with each sip.

Lovely White Wines

For those of you who prefer your wines light, refreshing, and zingy, you’ve come to the right place. In addition to being the first wine region to bottle Petite Syrah, Livermore was also the first to bottle Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc! Kick off your white wine journey at Darcie Kent Estate Winery with a Terrace & Green Tasting Flight, featuring samplings of four to six of their aromatic white wines. Next, head to Pruett Farms Winery, which specializes in small-lot wines, including their flagship “crucible” Chardonnay. Just note that you’ll only be able to sample their cherished wine on Saturdays from 12 to 5 p.m. Cap off your day of white wines at Omega Road Winery. While the flights rotate monthly, you’ll likely find their coveted Alvarinho and Torrontes on hand, which are certainly worth a try.