DISCOVER LIVERMORE VALLEY WINE COUNTRY

If they could speak, the rocks of Livermore Valley would tell a tale rich in history. The Livermore Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) is one of California’s oldest wine producing regions. The story began in 1846 when Robert Livermore planted the valley’s first commercial wine grapes.

Livermore Valley has a unique position being that it lies only 30 miles north of San Jose and only 45 miles east of San Francisco. One of the reasons why the wine industry has flourished in this area is not only due to the ideal grape growing conditions but also because it was and continues to be easily accessible from nearby metropolitan cities.

An early pioneer that understood the vast potential of Livermore Valley was an Irish immigrant named James Concannon who founded Concannon Vineyard in 1883. Recognizing that the Livermore Valley terroir was strikingly similar to the premier vineyards of the Médoc in Bordeaux, James purchased acreage in Livermore where he helped introduce successful viticulture practices for the first time to California. After intense study of winegrowing in Bordeaux and with UC Berkeley, James became one of the first to craft red and white Bordeaux-style wines in California and was well-known for his meticulous selection of the world’s best quality vines imported directly from Bordeaux’s renowned, First Growth Châteaux Margaux, Lafite and d’Yquem.

The Concannon landmark winery is home to the 1893 Concannon Margaux, Mother Vine Vineyard. These vines are some of the most treasured Cabernet Sauvignon vines in California. Hailing from Château Margaux in the Bordeaux wine region of France, these vines have made a lasting impact on California winemaking; today, an estimated 80% of all California’s Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Concannon Clones 7, 8, and 11 that originated from a single “Mother Vine.”

The Livermore Valley is not only rich in history, but also has the perfect combination of gravel-based soils, marine winds, and an east-west orientation that help create the ideal growing climate for over 30 different grape varietals, including Petite Sirah, traditional Bordeaux such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and white varietals like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. You will also find Rhône, Italian, and Spanish varietals.

Concannon invites you and your special guests to savor the award-winning wines and enjoy a unique Concannon Vineyard wine tasting experience. The tasting room is open Thursday – Monday. Plan your visit today and start discovering Livermore Valley Wine Country.