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‘Tis the season to stomp grapes, picnic in a vineyard or sample local sparkling wine.
For an autumn wine country outing, the fourth annual TASTE: The Livermore Valley Wine Experience offers a robust menu of 13 wine and food themed events. Spanning four days in mid-October, most events feature multiple wineries pouring their wines at one location with diverse food selections.
“Put on your cowboy hat for an opportunity to meet winemakers and ranchers, nosh on ranch-inspired bites, and dance to live country music at the ‘Cattle, Cabernet & Country’ event at McGrail Vineyards on Oct. 16. If you want to visit a wine speakeasy, Concannon Vineyard rolls back time during ‘Barrels and Bootleggers’ on Oct. 17,” said Brandi Lombardi, executive director of the Livermore Valley Wine Community.
The signature event of the program is Taste Our Terroir, which kicks off TASTE on Thursday, Oct. 15. At this year’s sold-out event, 20 Livermore Valley wineries will pair with local restaurants or caterers to compete for the top wine and food creation. Attendees and industry judges select the top pairing.
Of the 25 Livermore Valley wineries pouring wine during TASTE, two are new participants this year. Both minority- and woman-owned, Shanti Winery and Cellar 13 Winery recently opened Livermore tasting rooms that are generating buzz — and both are serving their wine at fun events during the program.
“It is exciting to have the mix of heritage wineries with new ones in Livermore,” said Tracy Farhad, president and CEO of Visit Tri-Valley. “I personally like to see how new winemakers express the region’s grapes as they develop unique experiences for our region’s visitors.”
Shanti Winery
Though Ray and Dimple Sharma, owners of Shanti Winery, have never stomped grapes before, they are eager to host the “Stomp, Pour, & Pair” event on Oct. 18.
After their 2024 purchase of the 8-acre Home Ranch in Livermore and renovation of the former Steven Kent Winery space, the Sharmas launched their second Shanti tasting room on Tesla Road this April.
“We are pleased to offer the stomping event because it will be fun — pretend you are a kid turning your feet grape-purple in a cut-off wine barrel. You can then sample our wines with charcuterie and chocolate,” co-owner Dimple Sharma said.
A decade before launching the Shanti brand, the couple began visiting boutique, family-run wineries in Napa. Here they enjoyed peaceful hours sipping fine wine in welcoming, relaxed settings. In 2012 the Sharmas launched Shanti Winery in Napa, naming the winery after the Hindi word for “peace”.
The couple purchased grapes from Napa and other California wine regions and operated a now-closed tasting room in Napa. Shanti tastings continue by reservation at the hospitality center located at the winemaking facility they use in the Crusher District of South Napa.
As the reputation for Shanti wines grew, the Sharmas’ East Bay customers asked when they would open a nearby tasting room. Residents of San Ramon, the Sharmas pivoted from tastings in Napa to discover the quality wines and tasting experiences in Livermore Valley.
“We soon realized Livermore was the place for us to purchase grapes and open our winery and event center. In a year, we expect to start wine production on site with Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera, and Sangiovese grapes from our estate vineyard,” Ray Sharma said.
The Sharmas set out to enable meaningful experiences over a glass of wine. Ray Sharma designed the logo for the wine — a seated woman in a yoga pose. On the wall, a large poster replicates that yoga scene with a light orange background and a brilliant white sun at sunrise or sunset.
“We want our guests to feel the personal service and peace we experienced at winery tastings. We do not hurry guests. There are no time limits once you set the reservation time,” Dimple Sharma said.
Until May, Gary Overton of Livermore traveled to Napa Valley for wine tastings and rarely explored Livermore. Driving along Tesla Road after tastings at two wineries, he noticed the new Shanti entrance signage. Attracted by the bright orange signature imagery, Overton stopped in.
“I met Ray and Dimple that day and liked their Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. The vibe was happy with friendly guests who struck up a conversation with me. I became the first member of their wine club. After bike riding at Del Valle park, I relax on the patio. This is my ‘wine ibuprofen’ time,” Overton said.
The co-founders were both born in India. Ray came to the U.S. at age 8 and grew up in Yuba City. He is now a real estate broker with three offices in the East Bay. Dimple arrived in California at age 20 with a college degree and continues to work as an environmental chemist.
Her role at Shanti is assistant winemaker while Ray handles administrative tasks.
“With our children set in their careers, it was time for us to follow our passion project,” Dimple Sharma said.
The couple offer three levels of tasting matching their goals for the winery. The Peace tasting includes three white wines. The Harmony option includes white and red wines, a blend of tastes, as guests connect with each other, while the Joy tasting features all red wines, symbolizing a deeper color and connection.
Yoga classes, scheduled monthly, are led by Livermore teachers. Monthly comedy shows regularly sell out. Ray Sharma added that they may soon offer classical Indian music nights with musicians playing in the style of the late, well-known musician Ravi Shankar.
Cellar 13
Another new Livermore tasting room is minority- and woman-owned. Co-owners Darin Winton with his fiancee Gail Henderson are living a dream-come-true harvest season this year as they open their first tasting room in the former Cuda Ridge Winery site.
Producing wine since 2017, they previously poured Cellar 13 wines at venues such as Livermore’s Swirl on the Square and at winemaker dinners.
After celebrating their opening this week by hosting the Livermore Valley Wine Wednesday event, Cellar 13 will open for tastings on weekends.
Designed to be casual yet upscale, the renovated main room with contemporary decor is paired with a refreshed, expansive patio. In an unusual move, Winton and Henderson will offer only one tasting option at the reasonable price of $20 for two white and two red wines with a bonus pour. In the spring, Cellar 13 will present comedy shows and live music on the patio.
“As attendees at previous TASTE events, we always wanted to throw our hat in the ring,” Winton said. “This year we will pair our wines with food from Oasis Restaurant at the Taste our Terroir event and pour a new Cabernet Sauvignon during the Cattle, Cabernet, and Country evening at McGrail.”
“At the ‘2 Winemakers, 1 Aromatic Journey’ event on Oct. 18, I am pleased to partner with award-winning Las Positas Vineyards winemaker Brett Amos to share how we make white wine from grapes in the same vineyard that are distinct and intriguing,” Winton added.
Like the Shanti owners, Winton and Henderson are well-paired to own a winery.
After retiring from a Tri-Valley water district, Darin took enology classes, interned at local harvests, and assisted winemakers at 3 Steves Winery, Cuda Ridge and Occasio Winery. With a background in sales, marketing and human relations, co-owner Henderson handles the business side of Cellar 13.
Winton’s mother is half-Cherokee, and he honors his Native American heritage at Cellar 13. The labels for his Bordeaux blends reflect his background.
Sidanelv, which means “family” in the Cherokee language, is the name for Winton’s White Bordeaux Style Blend. Aliheliga, meaning grateful, is Winton’s Right Bank blend starring Merlot. The Left Bank blend, named Tsogadu or 13, Winton’s lucky number, leads with Cabernet Sauvignon. Winton tapped his uncle, nationally-known artist John Balloue of Hayward, to create original art for the back label of the Bordeaux blends.
The couple launched Cellar 13 in 2017. Winton’s first barrel of Chardonnay was awarded Double Gold at a major California wine competition. After winning many awards over the years, Winton received three awards for his 2025 Sidanelv at the 2026 California Signature Wine Award competition: Best of Show and Best in Class, White Blends, and Double Gold.
Currently, Cellar 13 sells over a dozen wines. Next year, they will offer more varietals, including Chardonnay and Merlot, plus a new premiere Bordeaux Blend named The Bison, “Yanasi” in Cherokee.
For several years, Donna Gott of Livermore has tasted Cellar 13 wines at various venues. “Their wine is consistently good, and I look forward to tastings at the new site. I like the stories behind the wines and the Cherokee-inspired art on the labels,” Gott said.
Shanti and Cellar 13 wineries present new opportunities to taste fine wine and appreciate elements of the owners’ respective Indian and Cherokee heritage. There are a handful of vintners with Native American descent in the U.S., but Winton noted that he and Gail Henderson may operate the only Cherokee-heritage winery in the U.S.
Running from Oct. 15-18, TASTE enables attendees to find unique ways to celebrate autumn and the California grape harvest with over two dozen wineries pouring their wine and two new tasting rooms to explore.
“Welcoming Shanti and Cellar 13 amplifies Livermore Valley as a place to discover affordable, accessible food and wine and have a fun time,” Farhad said.
A taste of TASTE highlights
Historically, the harvest celebration for the region was The Livermore Valley Wine Festival held on Labor Day weekend. Guests traveled throughout the valley to attend open houses at participating wineries.
“The best part of TASTE is the collaboration among wineries at each event as they present their top wines with creative food pairings,” said Livermore Valley Wine Community board member Brandon Wood, owner of The Cheese Parlor in Livermore and an annual participant in a cheese and wine pairing event.
This year, Wood and winemaker Aaron Luna of Del Valle Winery present an enhanced experience named “Cheese, Chocolates & Cheers!” at Del Valle on Oct. 16. “We added local Bluebirds Chocolate to the tasting with cheese. Each selection will be tasted with both a white and red wine from three wineries. Expect many twists and turns,” Wood said.
Wood also looks forward to “Beads, Bottles & Bites: A New Orleans Afternoon in Livermore” at Fenestra Winery on Oct. 17 with multiple wineries, NOLA food bites and a brass band. Another of his top picks is “Bubbles, Brunch & B-Sides” at Almost Famous Wine Co. on Oct. 18, which offers sparkling wine from six Livermore producers and a brunch buffet.
Other TASTE events
“Sip Around the World – Wineries of the Global AVA” at Martinelli Center on Oct. 17: Founded in Livermore Valley, the Global Artisan Vintners Alliance will present a selection of wines from Mexico’s Baja California area; Dalmatia, Croatia; Chianti Rufina, Italy; Chinon, France; and Texas Hill Country.
“From Vine to Glass” at Murrieta’s Well on Oct. 17: Discover the storied history of Murrieta’s Well and Livermore Valley’s signature wines. Explore the vineyard followed by an outdoor tasting led by Niki Wente and winemaker Alec Fraser with Wente-clone Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc paired with cheese and charcuterie.
“Taste YOUR Terroir-A Guided Vineyard Tour, Tasting & Picnic at Casa de Viñas Vineyard” on Oct. 17. Take time for a unique experience in the vineyard of Livermore’s legendary grape grower, Julio Covarrubias, who will share stories about his farming experience. At the picnic lunch, meet winemakers who source Casa de Viñas grapes and taste their wines.
Note: Several TASTE events have sold out, including the “Taste Our Terroir”, “Sips & Sourdough,” and the new “A Taste of Stories”. Check the website for up-to-date listings, lvwine.org.
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