The Livermore Valley wine industry has long contributed to the nationally recognized quality of life in the Tri-Valley for reasons that include the beauty of its vineyards and its impact on the local economy. The industry is built on deep historical roots. Robert Livermore is credited with planting the first commercial wine grapes in Livermore Valley in 1846. In 1889, Charles Wetmore's Livermore Valley dry white wine won the Grand Prix at the International Paris Exposition. That win, which shocked European winemakers and connoisseurs alike, first made California wine famous worldwide.

Global Artisan Vintners Alliance

The Livermore Valley Wine Community (LVWC) is the nonprofit organization that supports the wineries, growers, and members in the Livermore Valley American Viticultural Area through educational and marketing programs. In February of this year, LVWC and Alameda County District 1 Supervisor David Haubert announced the formation of the Global Artisan Vintners Alliance (AVA). The Global AVA was established to create a beneficial and sustainable alliance of partner wine regions across the globe. In addition to LVWC, the founding wine regions include Texas Hill Country Wineries in Texas and the wine regions of Chilecito, Argentina; Dalmatia, Croatia; Chinon, France; Alentejo, Portugal; Vale dos Vinhedos, Brazil; Badacsony, Hungary; and Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico.

“On behalf of the entire Livermore Valley Wine Community, we are proud to lead the efforts to establish The Global Artisan Vintners Alliance,” according to Brandi Lombardi, Executive Director for the Livermore Valley Wine Community. “As one of the oldest wine regions in California, Livermore Valley has a rich history of winemaking tradition side by side with new winemakers and new techniques. This alliance will allow all partner regions to work together and expand opportunities for their winemakers and wineries as well as enhance tourism to their respective parts of the globe.”

Global AVA came about as the result of a meeting between Lombardi and Supervisor Haubert, according to Lombardi, who points to Sister City programs as a model. “He had this incredible idea of connecting artisan winemakers from small to midsize regions to collaborate, share best practices, and build a robust program together. Collaborating with other wine country regions that have similar terroir and climate will allow us to learn from each other. As we do cross-pollinated marketing of each other's events and of each other's wines, it will allow a whole new audience to become aware of Livermore Valley wine country.”

Visiting winemakers and interns from outside the region will be able to share their knowledge with local winemakers while learning about their practices, vineyard management styles, and winemaking techniques. The Global AVA is open to welcoming new members. Its inaugural summit, in June, will be split between Livermore Valley and Texas Hill Country. Future summits will be held annually, with the location rotating among members.

Signature Varietals Announced

In 1936, Wente Vineyards produced the first ever varietally labeled Chardonnay. That, in turn, made Livermore Valley the first region in the U.S. to label and market varietal wines. The Concannon Vineyard developed the first varietally labeled Petite Sirah in 1961. The Livermore Valley American Viticultural Area was formed in 1982, and today the region is home to more than 50 wineries.

In February, the industry built on that legacy when the area’s winemakers and growers announced they had chosen Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc as the region’s signature varietals. As LVWC officials explain, “With a strong historical significance, excellent growth potential in the valley, and its increasing market demand, the decision marks a pivotal time for Livermore Valley as the region has seen recent winery growth and investment in the future of one of California’s oldest wine regions.”

“The Livermore Valley played a pivotal role in shaping California's wine industry and this announcement further commits the region to be a driving force in the future of California wine,” notes Lombardi. “We anticipate wine lovers across the country and visitors to the region will come to know Livermore Valley for their favorite Cabernet Francs and Sauvignon Blancs, and stay for all of the other award-winning varietals that we have to offer.” According to a UC Davis report published in 2022, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc are poised for successful growth in the region given the agronomic conditions, including the climate, soils and irrigation water. “Climate change is a real thing in wine country,” says Steven Mirassou, a sixth-generation winemaker and proprietor at The Steven Kent Winery. “Over the last ten years temperatures have consistently risen in California, and the wine landscape as we know it today may be radically different twenty to thirty years from now. These grapes are poised to withstand the most extreme effects of climate change. This really sets up the region for significant success in the years to come.”

Plans to replant these varietals have spread across the valley, according to LVWC officials. The Tri-Valley Conservancy has initiated a replanting program for these two varietals that provides low interest financing for replanting. In addition, Lemmons Family Vineyards and Darcie Kent Vineyards have announced plans to support these grapes.

“With our recent acquisition of Concannon Vineyard, we are committed to re-planting the vineyards to Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc,” according to David Kent, CEO of Darcie Kent Vineyards and Almost Famous Wine Company. “We’re excited about the future of the region and believe putting a stake in the ground for these two grapes is an exciting development for Livermore Valley.” LVWC has supported the industry in additional ways as well. The Where Genius Grows Scholarship Fund was established to benefit individuals seeking a career in viticulture, wine industry hospitality, and enology. The program awards four scholarships of $5,000 towards a degree in the certified area. The scholarships are not restricted to high school seniors; individuals in the wine industry who want to continue their education and students already enrolled in higher education may also apply. The nonprofit has also assumed full responsibility for a major event done in collaboration with the Tri-Valley Conservancy in earlier years.

“Our economic impact is significant because of people who are coming to wine country and staying at hotels or frequenting businesses in the Tri-Valley when they're visiting wine country,” says Lombardi. “Right now, we live in a world where connectivity and feeling connected to those around you can be challenging. Livermore Valley wine country is a community, and there are six million people within a half hour of our community. We are personally inviting them to come and experience wine tasting as an approachable, everyday luxury by sampling award-winning wines right in their backyard.”

For more information about the Livermore Valley Wine Community, please visit https://www.lvwine.org. For more information about the Global Artisan Vintners Alliance, please visit https://www.facebook.com/TheGlobalAVA or https://www.instagram.com/theglobalava.

For more information about the Where Genius Grows Scholarship Fund, please visit www.lvwine.org/scholarship.php.

Photo by Ron Essex Photography