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Free Range Flower Winery — which crafts premium, small-batch wines from locally sourced, organically grown flowers — continues to excel after its grand opening in a new space in Livermore last month.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on July 11, the community came out en masse to show their support of the award-winning, Black woman-owned winery. Since then, business continues to thrive as founder and winemaker Aaliyah Nitoto looks toward hosting more events in a long sought-after tasting room of her own.
“Our grand opening was amazing,“ Nitoto said. “It was packed, filled with people who are really loving and incredibly supportive. And it just filled my heart to breaking almost.”
Since the grand opening celebration on July 13, Nitoto said she has been busy with a flow of customers who have heard about the winery by word-of-mouth or online.
To those who haven’t tried her flower wines, she recommends the RoseHybiscus, Marigold and Sparkling Lavender.
RoseHybiscus has notes of sour cherry, raspberry and a little cranberry. Made from a blend of hibiscus flowers and roses, the wine is fruit-forward with a bit of spice and smoke at the end.
Marigold, nicknamed liquid sun, is Nitoto’s favorite. It is dry, crisp and has a note of honeysuckle.
Lastly, Sparkling Lavender has notes of ginger, anise, juniper, a little citrus and a note of floral.
“It’s a really showstopper of a wine,” Nitoto said of the lavender wine. “Most people, when they taste it, immediately say, ‘Wow, I’ve never had anything like this.’”
In addition to wine tasting, Nitoto hosts events like monthly flower arranging workshops. She also said she plans to start hosting other events including karaoke on Friday nights.
The new facility, including the tasting room, signifies years of hard work.
Nitoto founded Free Range Flower Winery about six years ago.
Originally she operated the business from a 320-square-foot shipping container, later moving operations to Livermore in a location shared with Longevity Wines on South Vasco Road.
When she relocated to the new facility on Research Drive, she had her work cut out for her. The space needed new fixtures and a complete renovation of the tasting room and bathroom, all of which required money.
Short on funds, she said she completed much of the work herself.
The renovations weren’t completed until the grand opening a few weeks ago, she said.
Now the winery offers an intimate space with a freestanding bar and tables decorated with potted plants and warm green walls that feature rotating, consignment art.
“I really want the winery to be a space where people come and they’re like, ‘This is an amazing space. I feel really comfortable and welcome here and I want to come back,’” Nitoto said. “I’m curating a space to be all of that and more.”
Free Range Flower Winery is located at 2111 Research Drive, Suite 6, in Livermore. Walk-ins are welcome, but Nitoto recommends reservations for groups larger than six guests. For more information about the winery, visit its website at freerangeflowerwinery.com.
