(From left) Jessica Carroll, owner and winemaker at JMC Cellars; Father Augustine Joseph from St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Livermore; Rabbi Laurence Elis Milder, Ph.D. from Congregation Beth Emek; Pastor Steve Wilde from First Presbyterian Church of Livermore and Brandi Lombardi, Executive Director of the Livermore Valley Wine Community. (Photo by Katie Watts-Whitaker)
(From left) Rabbi Laurence Elis Milder, Ph.D. from Congregation Beth Emek and Jessica Carroll, owner and winemaker at JMC Cellars. (Photo by Katie Watts-Whitaker)
(From left) Kelli Urban and Celeste Cassa from Del Valle Winery. (Photo by Katie Watts-Whitaker)
(Left to right) Darin Winton, owner and winemaker of Cellar 13; Larry Dino and Margie Dino, owners and winemakers at Cuda Ridge Wines. (Photo by Katie Watts-Whitaker)
Local clergy recently gathered in the vineyards for the Livermore Valley Wine Community’s annual Blessing of the Grapes.
As a kickoff to the harvest season, the ceremony Aug. 26 at JMC Cellars in Livermore was also meant to bring good fortune in the grape pickings.
The blessing follows a centuries-long tradition, practiced by many religions in wine-making regions of the world.
Jude began working at Embarcadero Media Foundation as a freelancer in 2023. After about a year, they joined the company as a staff reporter.
As a longtime Bay Area resident, Jude attended Las Positas...
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