For the dog paw-rents of the world, there’s nothing better than finding a new restaurant, winery, or brewery where your furry family member can indulge with you. The Livermore Valley in Northern California is home to several wineries that are pup-friendly and have delicious wines!
The Livermore Valley is a lesser-known wine region in California, but that doesn’t mean the quality of the wines is any less. Vineyard plantings date back to the 1840’s, with Wente and Concannon Vineyards serving as two pioneers of the region. Situated just 30-miles east of San Francisco, the Livermore Valley is now home to more than 50 wineries, 5,000 acres of vineyards, and dozens of wine varietals. There’s a wine for everyone in Livermore!
I’ve visited Livermore several times—it just so happens that my best friend lives there. When I visit, we love to explore up-and-coming wineries (sometimes with our pups in tow!). Some Livermore wineries are situated on acres of rolling vineyard hills, while others operate in urban settings closer to the city of Livermore. The vibe of Livermore wine country is casual and family-friendly, making it an ideal destination for a weekend afternoon jaunt. Your pup is sure to enjoy the adventure, too.
If you happen to find yourself in the region on October 30th, be sure to check out the Wine & Wags pet adoption event.
This annual gathering features dozens of wineries and animal rescues who are partnering to help find homes for many deserving furry friends. Dogs are welcome to attend the wine country event with you, so long as they are leashed. You never know, your pup might just sniff out a fellow canine to add to your family!
Tickets for Wine & Wags can be purchased here. The ticket price includes entrance into participating wineries, at least two tastes at each winery, a commemorative Livermore Valley Wine Country glass, and special event activities. You’ll have nearly two dozen wineries and 14 pet rescues to choose from as you make your way through Livermore Valley wine country.
In case you can’t make it to Wine & Wags, I’ve detailed some of my favorite dog-friendly wineries in Livermore below. Be sure to save this post as reference for your next wine tasting trip to Livermore!
Omega Road Winery
Omega Road wines are produced by a father-daughter winemaking team, Ken and Alexandra Henkelmen. Their goal is to craft beautiful wines that bring people together. In 2020, Omega Road began pairing each of their wines with a charitable organization that is working toward making the world a better place. This is just one example of how the Henkelmens give back to the community that supports their winemaking endeavors.
When I visited Livermore a couple years ago, I picked up this bottle of Omega Road 2015 Barbera from Mendocino. This high-acid, light bodied wine is full of red fruit flavors (strawberry, tart red cherry, raspberry) and medium tannins. Like many of the great Italian varietals, this Barbera would make a perfect pasta wine!
Wood Family Vineyards
Wood Family Vineyards is one of my favorite Livermore wine tasting spots. This family-owned and operated winery is home to high quality wines and a welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere. The winemaker, Rhonda Wood, is also the founder of Wood Family Vineyards along with her husband. Believe it or not, her winemaking journey began with home-brewing beer! Fast forward a few years and Rhonda was making wine, planting vines, and purchasing the vineyard site that would eventually become Wood Family Vineyards.
Rhonda crafts some wonderful, bold red wines as part of her repertoire, and the 2018 El Loco Rojo Red Wine is no exception. This Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot blend packs a punch with red and black fruit flavors alongside black pepper, green bell pepper, vanilla, and baking spice notes. This wine has a beautifully long finish, with the flavors of the wine lingering on the palate after each sip.
Darcie Kent Vineyards
Darcie Kent Vineyards is family-owned and operated by fifth generation winemakers and artists. Their history dates back to 1875, when Darcie’s great-great-grandfather moved to the United States to pursue a career in winemaking. Wine labels from their 1883 Missouri vineyard proudly showcased hand-painted wine labels made by the son of the winemaker. To this day, Darcie Kent wines feature Darcie’s own artwork on each label.
The 2020 Pistachio Lane Grüner Veltliner marks the “maiden vintage” for the Triska Crane Ridge Vineyard in the Livermore Valley. A champion of California-grown Grüner Veltliner for many years, Darcie’s 2020 vintage features pronounced aromas of citrus and tropical fruits. This light-bodied, flavorful wine would be an excellent pairing for some spicy Thai food or poke if you ask me!
Longevity Wines
Longevity Wines is an urban winery in Livermore Valley and is the third largest brand in the Valley. Phil Long and his late wife Debra founded the winery in 2008 with the intention of creating a more inclusive wine experience for consumers. Phil is currently the president of the Association of African American Vintners, an organization dedicated to raising awareness of diversity in the wine industry.
As a Grenache lover, I was eager to open up the 2017 Vintner Select Grenache from Fryendal Vineyard. Longevity’s Vintner Select collection of wines is crafted from hand-selected barrels to ensure the best representation of each varietal. The 2017 Grenache has some obvious signs of aging on it already: a hint of garnet in the color, and the aroma of dried fruits on the nose. On the palate, the Grenache is balanced with soft tannins, medium acidity, and bright red fruit flavors. This is a beautiful example of the Grenache varietal and of the quality of wines grown in the Livermore Valley.
Cuda Ridge Wines
Known for producing distinctive Bordeaux-style wines, Cuda Ridge is home to small-production wines with intense complexity and character. While varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot might sound familiar, the terroir of the Livermore Valley makes Cuda Ridge wines unique.
The Bordeaux Collection, marked by the bright purple Cuda Ridge label, is where you can find the 2018 Petit Verdot. This bold red wine is filled with flavors of black fruit, pepper, and baking spices. There’s nothing “petite” about it!
McGrail Vineyards
Perched on a hilltop with 360-degree views of the Livermore Valley, McGrail Vineyards is an award-winning winery that specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon. What started as a passion project making one barrel of wine has turned into a multi-generational family-operated business. Their Cabernet Reserve won the category of “Best Red Wine in the United States” in the SF Chronicle Wine Competition in 2012, putting McGrail on the map for premium quality wines.
McGrail’s 2019 Family Chardonnay is a classic example of California Chard. Flavors of peach, honey, and butterscotch balance the buttery backbone of this Chardonnay. Slightly sweet and fuller bodied, this wine can pair well with an appetizer of creamy brie or a dessert of grilled peach galette.
Garré Vineyard and Winery
Garré Winery is a Livermore establishment rooted in Italian history and tradition. With family winemaking ties dating back to the early 19th century, the passion for winemaking runs deep with the Molinaro family, owners of Garré Winery. The Italian influence at Garré is easily identifiable on the wine list, which boasts varietals such as Sangiovese and Primitivo (aka Zinfindel!).
The 2020 Rosato di Sangiovese bursts with flavors and aromas of strawberry, lemon, and a hint of white pepper. The complexity of the Sangiovese makes this rosé stand out from more simple versions of the style. The balanced acid in this Rosato makes it a perfect food pairing wine, too.
Las Positas Vineyards
Named after the original property owned by Robert Livermore, Las Positas Vineyards is a winery dedicated to estate-grown wines that showcase the terroir of Livermore through their character and quality.
The 2017 Las Positas Cabernet Franc is a sophisticated wine that opens with time in the glass. Herbaceous and herbal notes accent the fruit, with some tertiary aromas like earth and leather already showing through. Be sure to decant this wine and observe how it changes over time.
For those interested in attending the Wine & Wags event in Livermore on October 30th, here is a full list of participating wineries and pet rescue organizations.
Participating Wineries: 3 Steves Winery, Bent Creek Winery, Big White House Winery & John Evan Cellars, BoaVentura de Caires Winery, Cedar Mountain Winery, Dante Robere Vineyards, Darcie Kent Vineyards, Eagle Ridge Vineyards, Fenestra Winery, Garré Vineyard & Winery, Las Positas Vineyards, Longevity Wines, Nella Terra Cellars, Omega Road Winery, Page Mill Winery, Retzlaff Vineyards & Estate Winery, Rosa Fierro Cellars, The Lineage Collection (Steven Kent Winery, Lineage Wine Co., L’Autre Cote & Mia Nipote), Wood Family Vineyards
Participating Rescues: Animal Rescue of Tracy, Contra Costa Animal Services, Copper’s Dream Animal Rescue, East Bay SPCA, Friends of the Tracy Animal Shelter, Guardian’s Light Dog Rescue, German Shepherd Rescue of Northern California, Paws in Need, Northern California Sled Dog Rescue, Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, Tri-Valley Animal Rescue, Umbrella of Hope Rescue, Valley Humane Society, Wings of Rescue
The Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association hosts numerous events throughout the year.
If you’re already thinking about ways to get in the holiday spirit, be sure to check out the upcoming Holidays in the Vineyards weekend event on December 4-5, 2021. You’ll have the chance to visit wine tasting rooms throughout the region that will be adorned in holiday decor! Arts, crafts, activities, and of course wine tasting will be offered at each location. Admission is free, but tasting room fees may apply. Plus, if you’re looking for a way to take care of some last-minute holiday shopping, a bottle of wine from the Livermore Valley makes a great gift! Click here for event information and updates.
We hope you enjoy your next visit to Livermore wine country, hopefully with your pup in tow! They are sure to enjoy wandering through the vines or into urban wineries throughout the region. Cheers!
Some of the wines featured in this blog post were sent as samples from the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association. All opinions featured in this article are my own. Click here to learn more about my policy on partnerships with outside entities.
