30th Annual Harvest Wine Celebration in the Livermore Valley Wine Country

Labor Day weekend in the Livermore Valley means it's time for harvesting grapes. This year marks the 30th Annual Harvest Wine Celebration, scheduled for Sunday, September 4 and Monday, September 5. The popular fundraising event is sponsored by the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association. Wine enthusiasts and winery supporters are invited to visit and enjoy some of Livermore Valley's finest wineries.

This year more than 40 wineries will be taking part in the festivities, each offering at least two varietals of wine to sample and enjoy. As always, the fun-filled weekend will feature the music and art of local artists and vendors. Local restaurants will be providing delicious food at various locations along the festival route.

The following wineries will be hosting events at their own wine tasting locations. Need a map? Click on any winery name for additional information about the winery.

Bent Creek Winery
Big White House Winery
Bodegas Aguirre Winery
Cedar Mountain Winery
Charles R Vineyards
Chouinard Vineyards
Concannon Vineyard
Crooked Vine Winery
Cuda Ridge Wines
Darcie Kent Vineyards
Eagle Ridge Vineyard
Eckert Estate Winery
Fenestra Winery
Garre Vineyard and Winery
John Evan Cellars
La Rochelle Winery
Las Positas Vineyards
Longevity Wines
McGrail Vineyards
Mitchell Katz Winery
Nottingham Cellars
Occasio Winery
Retzlaff Estate Wines
Ruby Hill Winery
Stony Ridge Winery
Tamas Estates
The Singing Winemaker
The Steven Kent Winery
Thomas Coyne Winery
Wente Vineyards Estate Winery
White Crane Winery
Wood Family Vineyards

The following wineries will be hosting festivities at Concannon Vineyard, located at 4590 Tesla Road in Livermore:

Auburn James Winery
Page Mill Winery
Rios-Lovell Winery
Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery

The following wineries will be taking part at Wente Vineyards Estate Winery, located at 5565 Tesla Road in Livermore:

el Sol Vineyard
Elliston Vineyards
Les Chenes Estate Vineyards
Little Valley Winery
Murrieta's Well
Westover Winery

Shuttle buses will run on Sunday only. Ticket purchasing information and other details about the Annual Harvest Wine Celebration are available here: 30th Annual Harvest Wine Celebration.

Do you plan to take photos at the Harvest Wine Celebration? Share them here: Livermore Valley Wine Country Flickr Photo Gallery or on our Facebook Fan Page.

Cover Design by Nova Starling

Asante Africa Foundation Presents Dennis Lyamuya at Big White House Winery

Visiting Tanzanian advisor Dennis Lyamuya has been speaking to audiences in several U.S. cities on behalf of Asante Africa Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to the education of children in remote East African villages. On Saturday, February 26, Dennis will be returning to the San Francisco Bay Area. An informal event will take place at Big White House Winery and John Evan Cellars in Livermore from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Dennis Lyamuya is a Tanzanian Chagga Tribal Elder, and a trusted advisor to Asante Africa Foundation. Dennis grew up on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, and ascended the mountain more than 200 times while earning the position of Mountain Guide and attending university. He now operates Kwetu Tanzania, Eco-Tourism and Safaris, and is a respected expert on environmental protection methods, wildlife management, and the impact of humans on the natural environment.

Big White House Winery is located at 6800 Greenville Road in Livermore. Please contact Asante Africa Foundation CEO and Founder Erna Grasz at (925) 292-0245 if you have any questions about the organization or this special event.

Visit the Squidoo Wine Cellar

The Squidoo Wine Cellar is a new group for wine-related lenses. We're looking for Squidoo lenses that showcase wineries, vineyards, wines, and wine-related merchandise and gift items. Any lens that has to with the appreciation of wine, or any aspect of winemaking will be welcomed to the group. The Squidoo Wine Cellar links to its companion Facebook community page, aptly called the Wine Cellar on Squidoo.

What's the best part of the Squidoo Wine Cellar? Our custom wine graphics, right out of Squidville! One of Squidoo's most popular artists—Squidville creator Steve Thompson—designed a whole collection of wine-related graphics, such as the "Wine is Simply Da Vine" wine-tasting Squid shown here. Steve's artistic creations are available to all lensmasters, and this series is especially suited to lenses about wine. Check out Steve's wine-related Squidville gallery here: Original SquidArt Wine Graphics for Your Squidoo Lenses.

So what's happening right now in the Squidoo Wine Cellar? There's a fabulous Wine Photo Phight taking place! Vote for your favorite red, white, rose, and Champagne photos. Did you know that Wine Stoppers Make Great Gifts? It's true, and you'll love the ones showcased on this lens. Are you looking for A Great-Tasting White Wine? My friend JaguarJulie recommends the Pieroth Blue 2008 Burg Layer Schlosskapelle. If you've never tried a German Kabinett wine, find out what you've been missing.

Stop by the Squidoo Wine Cellar to see these lenses and more!

The Wine Seeker's Guide to Livermore Valley

Award winning travel writer and author Thomas Wilmer has more than two million miles under his belt—that's four times around the world! You'd never guess from Thomas Wilmer's website that he was dragged kicking and screaming to the Internet by friends and colleagues. I love this statement from his "contact" page: Thomas C. Wilmer resides in Morro Bay, California, but travels the world extensively. The best way to catch up with him is by e-mail, unless he’s on the high seas or riding a camel or something, in which case he’ll get back to you as soon as he can.

He has a special gift for telling stories about the people and places he visits. In addition to countless magazine and newspaper articles, Thomas Wilmer has written two books about California coast travel: Romancing the Coast: Romantic Getaways Along the California Coast and California Coast Getaways: Classic Resorts and Inns Along the Coast Between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

His latest book highlights one of California's oldest winemaking regions, the Livermore Valley. The Wine Seeker's Guide to Livermore Valley is the first exclusive guide to one of the San Francisco bay area's hidden gems. The book features more than forty wineries, including photographs and interviews with winery owners and winemakers.

The book was released a month ago, in July, and I noticed it on display at the Concannon Vineyard tasting room while I was visiting a few of the Livermore wineries last week.

The Wine Seeker's Guide to Livermore Valley includes directions, operating hours, and contact information for each Livermore Valley winery. There are also recommendations for other activities, such as the Niles Canyon Wine Train, golf, and hiking. If you're planning to visit the Livermore Valley, the guide offers suggestions for area accommodations and restaurants. It's a great gift idea for anyone who shares a passion for the history and beauty of Livermore, California.

Zeller Schwarze Katz: Raising Awareness for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

One of my favorite Squidoo lensmasters, Frankie Kangas aka Frankster is a self-proclaimed cat woman. In fact, she's a friend to all animals. Her popular lens about Polar Bears hit the coveted #1 spot and sets a high bar for excellence on Squidoo.

Frankie emailed me to share news that one of the causes she supports, FIV Cat Rescue, was just approved as a Squidoo charity. It's great news ... now anyone can write a lens and designate the royalties to support cats who've been diagnosed with FIV.

I've had personal experience raising an FIV-positive cat. My shorthair black cat, Pywacket, was diagnosed with FIV shortly after a coworker and I rescued him from our workplace parking lot more than 8 years ago. We were devastated when the veterinarian gave us the news, but learned that FIV is not always a death sentence. Pywacket lived a relatively normal life among other feline companions. I'm not sure how old he was, but I'm guessing he was at least 11 or 12 when he passed away quietly last fall.

Pywacket was one of several black cats I've cared for over the years. Perhaps because of my love for them, I've amassed a huge collection of "black cat" items, including several bottles of Zeller Schwarze Katz wine, also commonly referred to as Black Cat Wine. The lens I've written in support of FIV Cat Rescue shares the story of this popular German export.

Zeller Schwarze Katz wines are easy to spot—just look for the arched black cat on the wine label. I've purchased several of them for under $10 at the grocery store and Trader Joe's. Two friends also gifted me with Moselland Zeller Schwarze Katz slender, black, cat-shaped bottles. These don't have labels, but they're very striking and collectible.

If you're a Squidoo lensmaster, please consider creating a new lens to support FIV Cat Rescue. You can also switch royalty settings on any existing lens. It only takes a few seconds, and I know Frankie (and her feline friends) will appreciate your support.

UPDATE: The FIV Cat Rescue donation module is up and running. Why not add one to your Squidoo lens?

Livermore Valley Wine Country on LocalWineEvents.com

The LocalWineEvents.com website went online in 2000 and is now the world's largest calendar of food, wine, beer, and spirits events. Despite the name, LocalWineEvents.com isn't just for wine lovers—it's okay if you're a beer drinker or even a teetotaler.

With thousands of events to choose from, including food festivals, chili cook-offs, home-brew competitions, liquor license seminars, tea ceremonies, and olive oil tastings, there's truly something for everyone at LocalWineEvents.com.

Many wineries in California's Livermore wine country are regular posters at LocalWineEvents.com (where posting an event is easy and free!) A complete rss feed of upcoming wine-related events is available at Livermore Valley Wine Country on LocalWineEvents.com.

What's coming up? On Saturday, August 7, Fenestra Winery will be hosting the Fenestra Fanatic's 20th Anniversary Celebration from 4 to 6pm. There are more than 1,000 Fenestra Fanatics, all of whom are welcome to attend the event at no charge. Regular admission will be $20 (limited to the first 50 respondents). Hearty appetizers and fun activities are planned, along with wine pre-release offers for this event only. The celebration will take place in the picnic grounds, surrounded by acres of estate vineyards. Fenestra Winery is located at 83 Vallecitos Road in Livermore.

On Saturday, August 14 from 6 to 9pm, Cedar Mountain Winery will supply the grill and hot coals. Bring your own grilling food and picnic supplies and settle in for a starry night of barbecue dining and Bluegrass music by the "Forget Me Nots." Wine by the glass or bottle and other beverages will be available for purchase. The fee is just $5 per person. Cedar Mountain Winery is located at 7000 Tesla Road in Livermore.

With more than 50 wineries to choose from, there's a whole lot more happening in the Livermore Valley Wine Country—so keep an eye on the list of local wine events!

Photograph Courtesy of Andrew Glazier, Back Roads Wine

29th Annual Harvest Wine Celebration in the Livermore Valley Wine Country

Labor Day weekend is right around the corner, and in the Livermore Valley that means it's time for the annual harvest wine festival. This year marks the 29th Annual Harvest Wine Celebration, scheduled for Sunday, September 5 and Monday, September 6.

The popular fundraising event is sponsored by the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association, and offers an opportunity for wine enthusiasts and winery supporters to visit and enjoy a number of Livermore Valley wineries.

This year there will be more than 40 wineries taking part in the festivities. Each participating winery will be offering at least two varietals of their finest wines. In addition, the fun-filled weekend will feature music, art, and food from local artists and vendors.

The following wineries will be hosting events at their own wine tasting locations. Need a map? Click on any winery name for additional information about the winery.

Bent Creek Winery
Big White House Winery
Bodegas Aguirre Winery
Cedar Mountain Winery
Charles R Vineyards
Chouinard Vineyards
Concannon Vineyard
Crooked Vine Winery
Cuda Ridge Wines
Deer Ridge Vineyards
Eagle Ridge Vineyard
Eckert Estate Winery
Fenestra Winery
Garre Winery
John Evan Cellars
La Rochelle Winery
Las Positas Vineyards
Longevity Wines
McGrail Vineyards
Mitchell Katz Winery
Murietta's Well
Ruby Hill Winery
Ryhan Estate Vineyards
Stony Ridge Winery
Tamas Estates
The Singing Winemaker
The Steven Kent Winery
Thomas Coyne Winery
Wente Vineyards Estate Winery
White Crane Winery
Wood Family Vineyards
 
The following wineries will be hosting festivities at Concannon Vineyard, located at 4590 Tesla Road in Livermore:
 
Darcie Kent Vineyards
Hidden Creek Wine
Lavish Laines Winery
Page Mill Winery
Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery
 
The following wineries will be taking part at Wente Vineyards Estate Winery, located at 5565 Tesla Road in Livermore:
 
el Sol Vineyard
Elliston Vineyards
Les Chenes Estate Vineyards
Little Valley Winery
Nottingham Cellars
Occasio Winery

Complimentary shuttle buses will run on Sunday only. There will be 4 separate bus routes, each stopping at 8 or more wineries. Ticket purchasing information and other details about the Harvest Wine Celebration are available here: 29th Annual Harvest Wine Celebration.

Do you plan to take photos at the Harvest Wine Celebration? Share them here: Livermore Valley Wine Country Flickr Photo Gallery.

Cover Design by Sylvia Thompson