{Full disclosure: This experience was provided to me at no charge.}
Are you looking for a different place to wine taste that isn’t Napa or Sonoma? Or perhaps you want to taste with a large group and keep things affordable? Maybe you’re like me and want to visit all of the smaller, “undiscovered” wine regions in California? Whichever it may be, Livermore is a great choice!
When it comes to experiencing Livermore wine country, the Livermore Wine Trolley is definitely the coolest way to get around. I had so much fun spending the day riding the trolley to three different wineries; Wente Vineyards, Rubino Estates and Darcie Kent. The wine trolley offers a couple different types of experiences depending on group size, winery choice, lunch options etc. The trolley experience includes so much; transportation, three wineries with fees covered and lunch. Sounds like a perfect day – and it takes all the stress out of planning all of the pieces and parts of a wine tasting weekend.
Here’s a rundown of how my day with the Livermore Wine Trolley went:
12 pm – Boarding the Trolley
Flagged down the trolley at noon – stuck my thumb out and it worked! 😉 My mom and I were ready to go and excited for this Livermore adventure.
Loved having my mom as my wine tasting buddy on this Livermore trip!
12:30ish
First stop – Wente Vineyards. I’m sure you have all heard of Wente, as they are a pretty large wine brand and have been around for some time. In fact, they are credited for bringing some of the first Chardonnay vines to the valley and many wineries now use the “Wente clone.”
Willing to bet there’s a 100% chance these doors lead to wine.
Their estate is beautiful – which we got to tour during our time there. Very interesting to hear about the history while exploring the barrel room, caves and estate gardens.
An hour later..
Back onto the trolley we go, a little more chatty now, as wine tends to have that effect. Next stop was Rubino Estates – which has a beautiful palm tree lined entrance. This is a great photo opp, I must say! After a tasting we sat down to eat our lunch. What’s great about Livermore wineries, is that you’re allowed to bring food to many of them! This is unheard of in Napa.
When I sip, you sip, we sip.
Sometime later – who knows, we were on wine time
The group is a little more difficult to round up at this point, but we all made it back on the trolley. Onward for Darcie Kent! This winery was very cute and quant. I really enjoyed their outside seating area and left with the Dog Day Cabernet.
Follow me through the vineyards?
Kevin our driver was so personable, welcoming and fun – he really added to the entire trolley experience. Plus, I have to say, he was a pretty good DJ and got the entire group singing and dancing by the end of the trip. Perhaps the wine helped as well.
Kevin was awesome! If you go – tell him I say hi.
If you are looking for a quick weekend wine tasting getaway and want to explore a new up-and-coming wine region, Livermore is the way to go. I highly suggest trying out Livermore Wine Trolley if you’re planning on visiting the TriValley. Thank you Livermore Wine Trolley for this wonderful experience!
P.S. I visited some wineries the next day and absolutely loved Murrietta’s Well. Such a relaxing outside seated tasting – great for a casual wine tasting with friends. Their cheese board was epic! Try the Petit Verdot – it was my fav.
Loved the detailed stairs at Murrieta’s Well.
My top pick! Took one of these Petit Verdot’s home.
Cheers,
Raquel
