Wine Wednesdays

Fine Wines at a Fair Price

Mitchell Katz Winery features handcrafted, affordable wines.

In 1998 this winery started out honoring a legacy of a loved one and then quickly created a legacy of their own. In this week's Wine Wednesdays, Monique Soltani heads to Mitchell Katz Winery and shows how for more than a decade they have been focusing on producing a good product at an affordable price. Mitchell Katz Winery 1188 Vineyard Ave Pleasanton 925-931-0744 Tasting Room Hours: 12 to 5 p.m., Thursday – Sunday, and 12 to 6 p.m. on Friday. For questions or information, please contact: events@mitchellkatzwinery.com

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Wine Wednesdays

Wine So Good You Better Knock on Wood

Wood Family Vineyards holds a decade of local wine making.

Since 1996 this local winery has been advocating the advantages of Livemore's amazing wine-growing region. In this week's Wine Wednesdays, Monique Soltani introduces us to Wood Family Vineyards and their female winemaker who is used to flying high.

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Monique Soltani

1:16 pm on Thursday, September 29, 2011

Hi Jennifer, It was my pleasure! Rhonda was an amazing interview! I loved sharing her story!!!! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! Monique:)))   more ›

Wine Wednesdays

New Tasting Room Has Guard Up

En Garde Winery armed with awards.

They might be new the new tasting room in town but the mastermind behind En Garde Winery has three generations of winemaking in his roots. In this week's Wine Wednesdays, Monique Soltani introduces us to the Hungarian native by birth and Livemore winemaker at heart. En Garde Winery Tasting Room Open at Tenuta Vineyards every Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. or by appointment. Located at 633 Kalthoff Commons in Livermore. Featured wines:

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Monique Soltani

7:30 am on Thursday, September 22, 2011

Great idea! I will contact them right away and see if they would like to be featured! Thanks so much!!! Monique:)   more ›

Wine Wednesdays

Auburn James: A Winery Filled With Friendship

Livermore Winery takes their tasting room on the road.

With more than two lifetimes of wine making behind them, two friends turned their family passions into full time professions. In this week's Wine Wednesdays, Monique Soltani introduces us to the artisans behind Auburn James Winery. AUBURN JAMES GRAND OPENING EVENT   Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Danville's Mayor, Karen Stepper 5 to 8 p.m. tonight, Sept. 14. Tasting Room & Gallery 321 Hartz Avenue, Suite #1 Danville Tastings and flights of Auburn James wines can be enjoyed six days a week (closed Mondays) along with light food pairings in a setting that showcases the talents of many local, national, and internationally renowned artists. Most Thursday nights they host live acoustic music performed by local artists between 6 p.m. and closing…

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Wine Wednesdays

Blessing Another Year of Grape Harvest

The 30th Annual Harvest Wine Celebration kicks off Labor Day Weekend.

For the past three decades the Livermore wine community has come out to celebrate the birth of a new season and raise their glasses to one of California's oldest wine countries. In this week's Wine Wednesdays, Monique Soltani shows us why Livermore wine country has many reasons to count its blessings.  The Harvest Wine Celebration is a fundraiser for the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association. For more information, please visit www.LVwine.org or call 925-447-WINE. On Sunday, Sept. 4 and Monday, Sept. 5 between noon and 5 p.m., area wineries will offer Livermore Valley’s best wine, food, art and music to ticket holders. Bus transportation between wineries will be available on Sunday only. Monday Special Activities: Wineries hosting …

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Rich Buckley

4:10 pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Mounting evidence exists that the west coast soils are changing ph-levels being traced to aluminum-barium-strontium aerosol chemtrails altering our soils. The entire west coast wine growing industry soil conditions are at risk. Some of us have started video documenting Livermore chemtrails to audit the evidence and try to decrease the fear of political candidates to address these issues: http://…   more ›

Wine Wednesdays

Uncorking Comedy For a Good Cause

Livemore's wine community prepares for fundraiser to benefit local charities.

Over the past two years an area comedy show has raised more than $3,000 for Open Heart Kitchen. Organizers are looking to fill their plate even fuller this year. In this week's Wine Wednesdays, Monique Soltani shows us why Comedy Uncorked is no joke. Retzlaff Vineyards, 1356 S. Livermore Ave. Doors open at 6pm, show time is 7:30pm. Tickets are $25 in advance. Open Heart will be on-site accepting non-perishable food donations. Those who donate will have a chance to win brunch for two from Faz Restaurants and other prizes. Aug. 26th (Friday): Faith Alpher, Conrad Roth, Mike Moto and Carla Clayy Sept. 24th (Saturday): Tessie Chua, Lynn Ruth Miller and Michael Slack Visit www.comedyuncorked.com for tickets and show information. The show is …

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Wine Wednesdays

Livermore Welcomes Las Positas Vineyards

New tasting room is the talk of the town.

Livermore Wine Country is welcoming the newest member to the club with open arms and bottles. Las Positas Vineyards might be the new kid on the block, but their wines are hand crafted with old world care. In this week's Wine Wednesdays, Monique Soltani gives us a look into Las Positas Vineyards before they officially unlock their doors and open their hearts to the wine community. Las Positas Vineyards Grand Opening, 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14 -Live Music provided by the Jesse Hendricks Trio -Appetizers will be offered -Special grand opening discounts on current releases 1828 Wetmore Road in Livermore 925-449-9463 (WINE) Las Positas Vineyards tasting room wines: 2007 Petite Sirah from the Casa de Viñas Covarrubias Vineyard 2008 Livermore…

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Wine Wednesdays

Jim Concannon: Father of Petite Sirah

Monique Soltani sits down with Livermore's living legend.

It might be best known as the little grape that could. Jim Concannon, however, made Petite Sirah the little grape that would and did.  This year Petite Sirah celebrates its 50th birthday with a bash big enough to make even this great grape's deep purple skin blush. In this week's Wine Wednesdays, Monique Soltani finds out firsthand from its founding father how America's Petite Sirah got its roots. Weekend events: Saturday “Petite Sirah on the Rails:” An Historic Train Journey Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Petite Sirah Train leaves Niles Station: 3:30 p.m.  Train disembarks at 5:30 p.m. Ticket price: $45 Featuring a history of the railway, a retrospective on Petite Sirah by fourth-generation vintner John Concannon and a tasting of …

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Taste of Terroir Takes the Cake

Winos and foodies get their fill at Livermore Valley Wine Country showcase.

The best of the Bay Area came together to blend a perfect pairing of food and fabulous Livermore Valley wine. Livermore Patch's Monique Soltani attended the sold out Taste of Terroir and provides a recap of the hottest ticket in town. WINNERS FROM THE 2011 TASTE OF TERROIR WINE & FOOD COMPETITION Best Classic Pairing: Concannon Vineyard & Marriot Pleasanton 2007 Reserve Petite Sirah, Livermore Valley Braised Short Rib Bruschetta Judges' Best Pairing: Nottingham Cellars & Wild Vine Hideaway Bistro & Lounge 2009 Malbec, Livermore Valley Seasoned and Garnish Lamb Skewers Drizzled with a Zesty Malbec Red Wine Sauce Most Innovative Award: Cedar Mountain Winery & Porter's Restaurant at Poppy Ridge Golf Course 2007 Zinfandel, Hansen Vineyard, …

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Wine Wednesdays

Award Winning Wine Puts Livermore in the Limelight

A look into Darcie Kent's award-winning chardonnay.

A recent award is putting Livermore's wine country on the map and giving wine lovers from around the valley and across the country more reason to fall in love with Livermore. In this week's Wine Wednesdays, Monique Soltani gets an inside look at Darcie Kent's award-winning chardonnay.

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