Spend the Perfect Day at Wente Winery

Wente Winery in Livermore is entrenched in history, but they’ve adopted a thoroughly modern approach to agritourism. With an 18-hole golf course, concerts on the lawn, and countless wines to explore, there’s something for everyone at this historic California estate. Here’s how to spend the perfect day at Wente Winery!

Get into the swing of things on the greens

Start your day with a round of golf on the 18-hole Greg Norman-designed course. Situated between the estate and the surrounding rolling hills, Wente is one of only a handful of California wineries that offer guests the opportunity to tee off among the vineyards.

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Grilled Cheese + Apple Sandwich with Niki's Rosé at Wente Winery

Grab lunch at The Grill

Once you’ve finished your round, score a seat on the patio and enjoy lunch at The Grill. All of the produce on their expansive menu is seasonal and locally sourced. Niki Wente, Director of Vineyard Operations at Wente Family Vineyards, recommends the Ham and Apple Sandwich with a Caesar side salad and a glass of her namesake rosé. If you’re looking for something a little lighter, the Avocado Citrus Salad is the perfect choice.

Enjoy a wine tasting experience

Wente Winery offers a variety of tasting experiences – from a standard five-wine flight to the Two Gems of Livermore Experience that spans two historic properties and pairs wine with specially selected cheeses.

Niki’s personal favorite is the Five Generations Flight, where guests sample five curated estate wines and small bites while diving into 140 years of Wine County history.

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Tour the Cresta Blanca wine caves

Pay homage to the history of Livermore winemaking, where it all began – in the Cresta Blanca wine caves. Cresta Blanca was Livermore’s first commercial winery and the first California winery to win the Grand Prix at the Paris Exposition, proving California wines rivaled longstanding European estates.

Wente recently relaunched the lauded label, and guests will taste three exclusive offerings, tour the original caves (built in 1882!), and discover historic photos and winemaking artifacts.

Schedule your tour

Stock up at the Wente Winery gift shop

After spending an unforgettable day at Wente Family Estates, you’ll want to take a taste home with you. Select a few of your favorite wines, and load your basket with homemade jams and Chardonnay brittle. Don’t forget to take home a copy of one of the Wente family’s cookbooks so you can recreate their favorite meals and wine pairings in the comfort of your own home.

Check out exciting concerts and events

With music festivals, dance parties, Mahjong lessons and the Summer Dinner Series, there’s always something exciting happening at Wente Family Vineyards. While many events, like the annual Food and Wine Festival, are 21+, the winery occasionally hosts family-friendly events, including a Mother’s Day celebration and Family Day: Holiday in the Vineyards.

Check out upcoming events at Wente Family Estates

Visit Wente Winery: Plan your trip

Ready to plan your visit? Wente Family Estates is an easy day trip from the Bay Area or Central Valley. If you’re traveling farther, both the Oakland and San Jose International Airports are about 30 miles from the winery. For an overnight stay, Niki suggests the nearby Purple Orchid Wine Country Resort and Spa or The Rose Hotel in historic downtown Pleasanton.