California Wine Month in the Tri-Valley
September is California Wine Month, and whether you’re a longtime wine-lover or you’re just getting your feet wet, this is one of the best times of the year to enjoy wine-centric events highlighting America’s top wine-producing state and our local award-winning wineries. This September, several Livermore Valley Wine Country wineries will be home to a variety of unique and informative events that help celebrate the Livermore Valley’s deep-rooted heritage in viticulture and ring in the beginning of yet another fruitful harvest season.
Read below for a collection of upcoming live performances, special wine and food pairings, meet and greets with winemakers, and more California Wine Month happenings in the Tri-Valley this September.
Upcoming Events
twilight tunes
- Concannon Vineyards
- Thursday, September 2nd @ 5pm - 8pm
- $5 - $15
Make yourself comfortable at Concannon Vineyards’ terrace, pavilion, or lawn area and rock out to local favorite, Luna Fish. Crazy Empanadas will also be there serving up Columbian empanadas, arepas, petacones (fried plantains) and Crazy Fries! Feel free to bring your own lawn chairs or blankets. Advanced reservations receive a discount ticket price of $10/person, $5/member. At-the-door ticket price is $15/member, $10/person.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE AT LPV
- Las Positas Vineyard
- Friday, September 3rd @ 5:30pm - 8:30pm
- Free
Enjoy a night out by the vines with a live performance by The Hipster Cocktail Party Band on the spacious patio at Las Positas Vineyard. The tasting room will be open for the purchase of wine by the bottle and glass and the kitchen will be serving up Charcuterie Plates, Featured Flatbreads, and Indulgence Plates.
Live on the lawn with rock on tap
- McGrail Vineyards
- Saturday, September 4th @ 1pm - 4pm
- $10/person, $5/member
Enjoy the gorgeous views and award-winning wines of McGrail Vineyards, plus a-rockin’ performance by Rock On Tap! The spacious lawn at McGrail Vineyards is perfect place to sip, picnic, and jam out. Feel free to bring blankets to make yourself comfortable. This event sells out quick, purchase tickets today!
ukelele jam & open mic at Charles R. Winery
- Charles R. Winery
- Saturday, September 4th @ 2pm - 4:30pm
- Fee applied to purchase per person
Join Steve Kritzer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and popular ukulele teacher for our Ukulele Jam & Open Mic in the Charles R. lawn and arbor! The only requirement is a ukulele and knowledge of a few basic chords, or just come to listen and sing along.
7th annual cool tones concert
- Big White House Winery
- Saturday, September 4th @ 6pm - 9:30pm
- $38-$45
Enjoy live music by 18 piece band, Cool Tones, and delicious food served by Que Squared BBQ. Wine can be purchased by glass or bottle. Ticket includes your first glass of wine and food from Que Squared.Â
DESIGN YOUR OWN WINE
- Del Valle Winery
- Sunday, September 5th @ 1pm
- $50
Become a winemaker for a day at Del Valle Winery! This unique experience includes 3 tastings of wines that you’ll use to create your own special blend, and a sealed wine bottle to take it home.
MIMOSAS & MUSIC
- Del Valle Winery
- Sunday, September 5th @ 1pm - 4pm
Enjoy mimosas and wine at the Livermore Valley Wine Country’s newest winery, with live music by Jeff Jones.Â
TAcos, Honey & New Releases
- el Sol Winery
- Sunday - Monday, September 5th-6th @ 12pm - 5pm
- $12-$15
Celebrate harvest season at el Sol Winery with a plate of tacos, three new wine releases, 4-pack specials, and local honey for sale. Bottle wine yourself for just $12/person or $10/member.
music & BbQ at wood family vineyards
- Wood Family Vineyards
- Monday, September 6th @ 12pm - 5pm
- Free
Head to Wood Family Vineyards to enjoy live music by Paul Blakemore, and delicious bites prepared by Big C BBQ.Â
5-wine flight & labor day bbq
- Big White House Winery
- Saturday, September 6th @ 12pm - 4:30pm
- $20
Enjoy a special wine tasting flight from Big White House Winery on Labor Day with 5 wines including Library and current releases. Add an optional cheese and charcuterie box from Charming Fig when you make a reservations.Â
DESIGN YOUR OWN WINE
- Del Valle Winery
- Monday, September 6th @ 1pm
- $50
Become a winemaker for a day at Del Valle Winery! This unique experience includes 3 tastings of wines that you’ll use to create your own special blend, and a sealed wine bottle to take it home.
PAINT, LIVE, LAUGH NIGHT AT GARRE
- Garre Vineyard & Winery
- Thursday, September 9th @ 6pm - 8pm
- $60
Celebrate the upcoming change in season by creating your very own masterpiece of a fall sunset. Tickets include supplies and a glass of wine or wine cocktail. Reservations are required.
Friday night live at Mcgrail
- McGrail Vineyards
- Friday, September 10th @ 5pm - 8pm
- $10/person, $5/member
Dance under the stars on McGrail Vineyard’s sprawling lawn, enjoying live music by Urban Sky, a beautiful sunset, and fantastic views. Feel free to bring your own lawn chair, picnic blanket, or a packed snack. Double Barrel food truck will be on site for food purchases, and 6 private tables under their brand new arbor are available to rent for $150 (up to 6 people).Â
FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE AT LPV
- Las Positas Vineyards
- Saturday, September 10th @ 5:30pm - 8:30pm
- Free
Kick back on the patio at Las Positas and enjoy live music by the Blue Valley Band. The tasting room will be open for the purchase of wine by the bottle and glass and the kitchen will be serving up Charcuterie Plates, Featured Flatbreads, and Indulgence Plates.
SUNSET WINE & GRILLED CHEESE PAIRING
- Big White House Winery
- Friday, September 10th @ 6pm - 8:30pm
- $45-$55
Join the folks at Big White House Winery for a delicious sunset food & wine pairing featuring 4 gourmet grilled cheeses crafted by Charming Fig. This event sells out quickly, reservations required!
best shot: the benetar experience
- Wente Vineyards Tasting Lounge
- Saturday, September 11th @ 8pm - 10pm
- $60/person, $50/member
With over 8 years of experience, and fronted by the powerhouse vocals of Khristina Kay, The Benetar Experience is an uncanny replication of Pat Benetar sound and performance. Enjoy this live musical performance at one of the Livermore Valley’s largest wineries.
OPERA IN THE VINEYARDS
- Retzlaff Vineyards
- Sunday, September 12th @ 5:30pm - 9pm
- $40
Bring your own picnic and purchase wine from Retzlaff Vineyards while you enjoy Broadway and ballads under the stars. Make advance arrangements to purchase a particular table to sit with friends. Carpooling recomended. Support the local arts! Each ticket is a tax deductible donation.
SUNDAY FUNDAY WITH STEVE KRITZER
- Garre Vineyard & Winery
- Sunday, September 12th @ 1pm - 4pm
- $20
Head to Garre Vineyard & Winery to enjoy mimosas, micheladas, and bottle service while enjoying a live performance by Steve Kritzer. Reservations are recommended.Â
PAINT & SIP AT BIG WHITE HOUSE WINERY
- Big White House Winery & John Evan Cellars
- Thursday, September 16th @ 6pm - 8:30pm
- $39
Grab your friends or family and let Livermore’s Pinot’s Palete guide you in painting a beautiful vineyard landscape at Big White House Winery & John Evan Cellars. Pre-order a cheese box from Charming Fig for $20 by calling the winery at (925) 449-1976. Space is limited, so sign up soon!Â
Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience
- Longevity Wines
- Thursday, September 16th @ 6pm - 7:30pm
- $50/person, $40/member
Meet Longevity Wines winemaker Phil Long along with professional Cheesemonger Brandon Wood of The Cheese Parlor as they walk you through a pairing selected wines with handcrafted cheese. Learn & taste these special pairings for yourself. All attendees will receive a 25% discount on any wine bottle purchases made during the evening.Â
YOGA IN THE VINEYARD w/ LIVE MUSIC BY KEVIN PARIS
- Retzlaff Vineyards
- Thursday, September 16th @ 6pm - 8pm
- $36
Zen out at this 1-hr vinyasa class with Suzanna Spring from Dragonfly Yoga + Wellness with live music by internationally acclaimed musician, Kevin Paris on the gorgeous lawn at Retzlaff Vineyards.Â
twilight tunes AT CONCANNON
- Concannon Vineyards
- Thursday, September 16th @ 5pm - 8pm
- $5 - $15
Make yourself comfortable at Concannon Vineyards’ terrace, pavilion, or lawn area and enjoy the tunes of Greg Lambert. O My Crepes will be on-site serving up the Parisian delicacy and artisanal cheeses, meats, and other shareable bites from the Concannon deli section will be available. Advanced reservations receive a discount ticket price of $10/person, $5/member. At-the-door ticket price is $15/member, $10/person.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE AT LPV
- Las Positas Vineyard
- Friday, September 17th @ 5:30pm - 8:30pm
- Free
Enjoy a night out by the vines with a live performance by The Stompbox Band on the spacious patio at Las Positas Vineyard. The tasting room will be open for the purchase of wine by the bottle and glass and the kitchen will be serving up Charcuterie Plates, Featured Flatbreads, and Indulgence Plates.
DRINK THIS, EAT THAT: CABBIES & PATTIES
- Concannon Vineyards
- Friday, September 17th @ 5:30pm - 8pm
- #35/person, $30/member
Celebrate Cab Month with a special flight of Cabernet Sauvignon and a locally crafted burger from Ominuos Burgers while being serenaded by Michelle Lambert. This flight is especially exceptional, featuring Heritage, Estate, and Reserve Wines. Each ticket includes a burger of your choice from Ominous Burgers. Seating time are 5:30pm-7:30pm, and 6pm-8pm.Â
HONEY BEE WORK SHOPS with GERaRDZ HONEY BEES
- Retzlaff Vineyards
- Sunday, September 19th @ 2pm - 4pm or 5pm
- $36 - $90
Head to Retzlaff Vineyards and enjoy an Introductory or Advanced Workshop with Gerardz Honey Bees in the covered pavilion. Introductory Workshops run from 2pm-4pm and include bee learning, honey, and wine tasting for $36/person. Advanced Workshops run from 2pm-5pm and include bee learning, honey and wine tasting, a charcuterie box, plus a live bee experience for $90/person.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE AT LPV
- Las Positas Vineyard
- Friday, September 24th @ 5:30pm - 8:30pm
- Free
Enjoy a night out by the vines with a live performance by Caitia Machado & the Brazliian East Bay Ensemble on the spacious patio at Las Positas Vineyard. The tasting room will be open for the purchase of wine by the bottle and glass and the kitchen will be serving up Charcuterie Plates, Featured Flatbreads, and Indulgence Plates.
COMEDY UNCORKED!
- Retzlaff Vineyards
- Friday, September 24th @ 5:30pm - 9pm
- $45/person
Laugh the night away under the stars and enjoy the performance of four talented comedians while sipping on wine with friends. Performers include Johnny Steele, Jeff Applebaum, Larry “Bubbles” Brown, and Justin Lockwood.Â
