Wineries to Showcase Upcoming Releases in Barrel Tasting Event

Here's an announcement from the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association:

Taste wines in development and save a bundle on your favorites at the fourth annual Barrel Tasting Weekend March 31 and April 1 in Livermore Valley wine country. Thirty-five wineries located less than an hour from San Francisco or Silicon Valley will offer samples direct from their barrels from noon to 4:30 p.m. each day. Guests will have the opportunity to pre-purchase many of the barrel wines at a discount, a practice known as buying “futures.” Most winemakers will be present to personally pour and discuss their young wines and offer delicious pairings with gourmet appetizers.

One of California’s most accessible, affordable and approachable wine regions, Livermore Valley is the home of McGrail Vineyards & Winery, winner of the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition’s Red Sweepstakes award. Wente Family Estates of Livermore Valley was just named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its Chardonnay.

Barrel Tasting Weekend provides wine enthusiasts of all experience levels with a fun “snapshot” of how wine evolves — from grape to glass. More than a dozen varietals, including the rare Primitivo and Alicante Bouschet and ever-popular Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, will be presented for tasting across Livermore Valley. Guests with special event wristbands and official glasses will receive at least one barrel sample at each participating winery. Many will give discounts on wine purchases to ticket holders only. Examples of special events and wines to be tasted include:

• Rios-Lovell Estate Winery: barrel samples of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and several ports. 20% off wine purchases. Meet the winemaker both days 12-4:30pm.
• Darcie Kent Vineyards: barrel samples of 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Madden Ranch). 25% off bottles for club members, 15% off bottles for non-members. Live music 1-4pm and food demonstrations at 12:30pm and 2pm both days. Food available for sale at Underdog Wine Bar.
• : compare 2010 Petite Sirah from the barrel with 2008 Petite Sirah in the bottle. 20% discount on two or more bottles of 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. Rustic wood oven pizzas by Tutte Al Forno for sale.
• : barrel tasting 2010 and 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaker Charlie Kidd will discuss the varietals that made Livermore Valley famous while walking in the vineyards. In the winery, learn about the growing and production of Petite Sirah. Casbah Mediterranean Kitchen of Livermore will sell exotic foods made from certified organic ingredients with no preservatives.

Livermore Valley’s Barrel Tasting Weekend will take place Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1, noon to 4:30 p.m. each day. Advance tickets are $30, available online at www.LVwine.org. Tickets purchased at the event will be $35 per person. Each ticket includes a souvenir tasting glass featuring the Livermore Valley Wine Country logo, two days of barrel tasting at participating wineries, special activities, discounts and an event map.

Participating wineries include:

Bent Creek Winery
Big White House
Bodegas Aguirre Winery
Cedar Mountain Winery
Charles R Vineyards
Concannon Vineyard
Crooked Vine Winery
Cuda Ridge Wines
Darcie Kent Vineyards
Eagle Ridge Vineyard
Eckert Estate Winery
el Sol Winery
Fenestra Winery
Garre' Vineyard & Winery
John Evan Cellars
Las Positas Vineyards
Les Chênes Estate Vineyards
Longevity Wines
McGrail Vineyards & Winery
Mitchell Katz Winery
Murrieta’s Well
Nottingham Cellars
Occasio Winery
Page Mill Winery
Retzlaff Estate Winery
Rios-Lovell Estate Winery
Rodrigue Molyneaux
Ruby Hill Winery
Stony Ridge Winery
Tamás Estates
The Steven Kent Winery
Wente Vineyards
Westover Winery & Event Center
White Crane Winery
Wood Family Vineyards