Livermore Valley - a region off the beaten path on the California Wine Country map - opened up to a wider audience of oenophiles with its Second Annual Barrel Tasting Weekend last Sat-Sun. I still regret not being able to attend on both days, since every winery I happened to visit, and every wine I managed to try were so welcoming, enticing, and interesting, that I could’ve spend much more time enjoying them along S. Livermore Ave./Tesla Road. Out of 27 participating wineries, I happened to explore only six, but right then and there I knew I would come back for more.
Starting with Wente Vineyards (ventevineyards.com) was an obvious choice, as it’s the oldest in the country continuously operated since 1883 family-owned winery. Now managed by the fourth and fifth generations of Wente family, it has the sixth generation coming up, or rather, still enjoying a care-free lifestyle of babyhood. Among the wide selection of wines produced by Wente there are three distinct categories – commercially sold nationwide and in 55 foreign countries; small lot wines produced in the amount of 300 cases or less, and available only through tasting room distribution; and limited Nth degree wines, an epitome of hands-on winemaking, for Club Wente members. 
A 100% merlot, aged 16 months in new French oak, 2008 The Nth Degree Merlot was featured at the Barrel Tasting to multiple accolades from the attendees. 
Tamas Estates (tamasestates.com) encouraged everyone to enjoy “A Taste of Italy from California” and presented its 2008 Sangiovese Riserva from a special limited release Prima Classe in a classic Italian very smooth style – to be bottled for sales by December. 
Cedar Mountain Winery (cedarmountainwinery.com) came up with 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by a bite of fudge, cooked with the wine at the Livermore-based Live For More Fudge, Inc. (liveforemorefudge.com).
At Garre Vineyard and Winery (garrewinery.com) I tried some unforgettable 2008 Primotivo. Although it had to spend 5-6 more months in barrels, it was obviously a delight with a well-rounded taste, bringing all its qualities together in harmony, like a sunny ocean wave. Outside the unassuming tasting room, Garre visitors enjoyed a game of bocce ball, which made me linger a little longer and eventually return for a second taste of the wine. 
My next stop was at Bodegas Aguirre (bodegasaguirre.com), and more surprises ensued. Owned by a surgeon Dr. Ricardo E. Aguirre, and managed by his daughter, Sylvia, the winery first attracts drivers by with its interesting gate image, also seen on its labels. Apparently, a Picasso-esque painting by Carlos Canas that depicts a male and a female wine-drinkers under a crescent moon, belongs to Dr. Aguirre, and fits the definition of his second career perfectly. The doctor and his friend and former patient, Jeff Greenhagen, were pouring from the barrels 2009 Carneros Chardonnay, 2008 Estate Malbec (excellent!) and 2008 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva. Then in the tasting room I discovered another surprise – 2006 Estate Cabernet Blanc – a refreshing pale garnet gem that comes from no-skin grapes. 
By the time I made it to Wood Family Vineyards (woodfamilyvineyards.com), owned by Rhonda and Michael Wood, the impromptu party there was in full swing, in compliance with the owners’ expressed belief in family, friends, and having fun. Merlot is the estate-grown fruit at Wood, and there was no shortage of Merlot tasting, although the star of the [new American] barrel was 2008 Hansen Ranch Zinfandel. 
The tasting hours were coming to close, and that’s when Greg and Evelyn Lamberg were caught on camera in-between two wine pours, as a proof that good time was had by all. 
Barrel tasting events are designed to allow wine producers secure their upcoming sales, and let the buyers get the best for less – before bottling and retail. 
Buying “futures” is now a part of Livermore Valley wine history, and judging from the Barrel Tasting Weekend success, the future is easy to predict. There are many more wine events coming to Livermore throughout the year. For more information, visit lvwine.com
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