It’s great to go out of town on Labor Day weekend, but for those who can’t make the trip, there’s still plenty to do nearby. Especially for those who consider themselves wine connoisseurs. That’s because the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association is hosting its annual Harvest Wine Celebration this weekend, Sunday-Monday, Sept. 3-4.
This is the 25th year the Association has hosted the event, which highlights wines from local wineries throughout the Livermore Valley. For two days, participants can take their time meandering between the 30 different open houses and tasting vintages from 35 different wineries.
In addition to tasting new stock from favorite wineries, participants will have the chance to sample the goods from new wineries, which are opening at a rapid pace. Some are even saying the Livermore Valley is in a “wine renaissance” with new wineries opening every few months. This year’s new wineries joining the 2006 Wine Harvest Celebration include Page Mill Winery, John Christopher Cellars, Red Skye Winery, Hidden Creek Wines at The Crush and Charles R. Vineyards.
Keeping the mood festive, the event will also include food, live music and art. Local bands such as Georgi and The Rough Week, The Tom Rose Band, T Lane and the Nighthawks, The Hummingbirdz, Hurricane and The Bacchus Brothers will play, along with reggae, classic rock, acoustic guitar, rockabilly and blues bands. Fine art, classic cars and winery history will also be on display.
There are three different tickets participants can choose from depending on their taste. The two-day ticket allows participants to go into any winery on both Sunday and Monday and includes wine tasting, commemorative wine glass, official program, live entertainment and a courtesy bus shuttle. That ticket is $35 in advance, $40 at the door. There is also a Monday ticket for $30, which includes everything in the two-day ticket, but is only for Monday. Of course, anyone who is drinking must be 21 years old or older and everyone will be carded when they receive their ticket.
In an effort to encourage everyone to be safe while drinking, there is also a designated driver ticket, which is $5 for two days. The ticket includes entrance to all the wineries on both days, but tasting the wine is not included.
Tickets can be purchased on line at www.livermorewine.com or by phone at 447-WINE (9463).
