Livermore Valley wind, vines, and wine seen from McGrail Vineyards.

Livermore Valley wind, vines, and wine seen from McGrail Vineyards.

McGrail Vineyards… A Good Place for Starts in the Livermore Valley

By Your Wine Buddy 4 years ago

If you’re new to Livermore wineries, McGrail is a good place to start. As you’ll see in this post, starts were prominent on this visit.

My approach on busy weekends in wine country is to take pictures, observe, and stay out of the way. I visited McGrail Vineyards in the Livermore Valley recently to do just that. I chose McGrail because I had been there several times before in the 20 or so years that I’ve been going wine tasting. They are a Livermore legend and have the following and accolades that support that status. If you’re new to Livermore wineries, McGrail is a good place to start. As you’ll see in this post, starts were prominent on this visit.

McGrail Vineyards in the Livermore Valley
McGrail Vineyards in the Livermore Valley

A busy Saturday in June 2021 at McGrail Vineyards in the Livermore Valley. The winery “prides itself on being a boutique winery that is centered on family, friends, and fellow wine lovers.”

McGrail Vineyards Estate Cab Vineyard, where Cab is King!
McGrail Vineyards Estate Cab Vineyard, where Cab is King!
Babies in the nursery… young Cabernet Sauvignon on the vine.
Babies in the nursery… young Cabernet Sauvignon on the vine.
Tasting room staff pouring flights for customers seated outside on the patio.
Tasting room staff pouring flights for customers seated outside on the patio.
A hawk keeps a hawkeye on the vineyard’s meal options.
A hawk flies over McGrail Vineyards in the Livermore Valley AVA, surveying the vineyard below for meal options.
Ample covered outdoor space for small groups enjoying bottle service.
Ample covered outdoor space for small groups enjoying wine tasting and bottle service.
Wine sign in the Livermore Valley.
Wine sign in the Livermore Valley.

There are many wonderful wineries in Livermore Valley, but starting at McGrail is a good call. The award-winning winery has been around for many years and offers a good representation of Livermore wine. The location of the winery provide views of the valley and many wine tasting options.

To start your tasting trip to McGrail Vineyards, look for their sign on Greenville Road.
To start your tasting trip to McGrail Vineyards, look for their sign on Greenville Road.
McGrail Vineyards' 2017 Patriot Cabernet Sauvignon
McGrail Vineyards’ 2017 Patriot Cabernet Sauvignon

“Our 2017 Patriot Cabernet Sauvignon was aged exclusively in new American oak from Missouri, bottled March 17th, 2020, and bottle-aged for an additional five months.  Dark in color with beautiful garnet edges, this wine bursts with aromas of dark berries, cassis, toasty vanilla, anise, and cocoa.” (www.mcgrailvineyards.com)

The wonder of a spontaneous moment and the start of something beautiful is caught as this young couple becomes engaged.
The wonder of a spontaneous moment and the start of something beautiful is caught as this young couple becomes engaged.
She said Yes!
She said Yes!
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Livermore Valley wind, vines, and wine seen from McGrail Vineyards.
Livermore Valley wind, vines, and wine seen from McGrail Vineyards.
McGrail Vineyards wine has been recognized and duly awarded.
McGrail Vineyards wine has been recognized and duly awarded.
Glasses ready for customers to start tasting.
Glasses ready for customers to start tasting.

There are good tastes awaiting you at McGrail Vineyards. When planning a tasting trip to the Livermore Valley, consider starting your experience at McGrail. For background on the area, check out McGrail’s blog. Here’s a link to a blog post on Prohibition and wine production in this important chapter in California winemaking history (100 Years Since the Volstead Act in the Livermore Valley.)

About Author

Your Wine Buddy

See author's posts