We set out to find the five best Livermore wineries to visit. Livermore's wineries live in the large shadow cast by the world famous Napa and Sonoma wine regions. However, as a Bay Area resident, visiting Livermore makes a lot of sense. Livermore wine country is only a short drive from Silicon Valley, San Francisco or Oakland. You can reach your first winery in under 90 minutes. Despite the short trip, you will feel like you've entered a different world. Livermore offers the rural charm that the Bay Area lacks. It's a great place to catch your breath as you sample the local wine. You will also find shorter lines and less pretentious tasting rooms. And top it all off, the wine is damn good!

As the gateway to the Central Valley, Livermore, California is the easternmost city in the San Francisco Bay area. Founded in 1869, the City of Livermore is in the state’s oldest wine region. Livermore features a mild climate and plenty of open space. The environment lends itself to a relaxed and less congested lifestyle.

The city is also known for its arts, culture and western heritage. Livermore offers a unique choice of activities – sure to have the right fit for everyone who visits, but the wineries are the top attraction for us.

The best wineries in Livermore offer a wide variety of atmospheres, food pairings, tours and wine tastings.

Here are the five best Livermore wineries to visit:

Wente Vineyards | 5565 Tesla Rd. Livermore

Any trip to Livermore's wine country should start at Wente Vineyards. Wente set the standard for the best Livermore wineries a long time ago. German immigrant C.H. Wente arrived in California in the 1800's. He learned the wine business from Napa pioneer Charles Krug. Then he moved to Livermore to establish his own vineyard and winery before prohibition hit California's wine industry. Fortunately for us, the winery survived through the dry times.

What started as a modest vineyard and winery has grown into a winemaking powerhouse. The winery boasts a golf course, top-notch restaurant, and multiple tasting rooms. It's a great place to host an event like a vineyard wedding.

Most importantly, Wente doesn't rely on their past success to keep wine lovers coming back. They are constantly striving to improve their winemaking and keep up with wine trends. The wine is what truly makes them one of the best Livermore wineries to visit.

When you plan your visit to Wente, make sure you look through all of your tasting options. There are public, private and guided tour options. The small lot Nth Degree wines from fifth generation winemaker Karl D. Wente are available for tasting now. These wines show off the winemaking skills that the Wente family has developed over all these years!

Bent Creek Winery |5455 Greenville Rd
Livermore

The next winery on our list of the best Livermore wineries is a radical departure from the size and scope of Wente. Bent Creek Winery provides an intimate wine tasting experience at a great value. Nestled in the rolling hills of Livermore, Bent Creek Winery offers guests an atmosphere so serene that you feel as if you are miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. Bent Creek was formed by four friends. They all met while working as educators in the Livermore school district. They learned then that they shared a love for wine.

Their tasting fee is $10 per person. The fee can be applied toward the purchase of a bottle of wine during your visit. For this $10 fee, you get to taste 11 different wines! Visitors rave about the depth and balance of their red wines. They also offer a variety of food pairings with some of their newly released wines. Some of the delicious food pairings include Jamaican jerk chicken, mixed mushroom soup, and flourless chocolate cake.

Note that this winery is dog-friendly.