Livermore Valley Named Wine Enthusiast’s ‘Wine Region of the Year’

Livermore Valley has been named Wine Enthusiast’s “Wine Region of the Year,” recognizing a region whose influence includes the spread of Concannon cabernet sauvignon clones and the Wente chardonnay clone across the Western United States.

The news came as the Tri-Valley celebrated its wine and food scene at the 24th annual Taste Our Terroir competition. The signature pairing event took place Oct. 15 at the renovated Concannon Barrel Room and Bubbles Lounge.

A panel of judges—including master sommelier Evan Goldstein, wine writer Betsy Andrews and chef Daniela Fiala—selected these winners:

• Best Classic Pairing: Page Mill Winery and Restaurant L Campo, pairing a 2022 GPS blend of grenache and petite sirah with L Campo’s savory soffrito-filled waffle cone.
• Most Innovative Pairing: Steven Kent Winery and Lanna Thai, pairing a 2024 “Rock” cabernet franc with slow-braised short rib over southern Thai turmeric curry noodles.
• Judges’ Best Overall Pairing: Occasio Winery and Sabio on Main, pairing a 2025 sauvignon blanc with Thai green curry and butternut squash shooters.

The People’s Choice award for Best White Wine Pairing went to Pruett Farms and the Cheese Parlor. Their pairing featured a 2025 Poulet Sautant stainless-steel chardonnay with “The Marinated Rooster,” a combination of olive-oil-marinated Australian cheese, bourbon cashews, hot honey, Alto Adige speck and Granny Smith apple.

Winemaker Rosie Fierro and chef Jose Madriz of El Charro won the People’s Choice award for Best Red Wine Pairing. They served Rosa Fierro Cellars’ 2017 “Call Me a Cab” cabernet sauvignon with a beef birria tamale.

Fierro said the pair wanted their food pairing and table display to reflect their heritage. Tamales, she noted, are a longstanding tradition at Mexican family gatherings, making them a fitting match for wine in the Livermore Valley community they call home.

It was the first time Occasio had earned the competition’s Best Overall Pairing award. The winery previously won Most Innovative in 2022 for a pairing created by Sabio on Main chef Francis Hogan.

More information about the region is available at Livermore Valley Wine Country.

The announcement also came alongside news of the death of Jim Concannon, a third-generation winemaker and prominent figure in Livermore wine. Concannon, 95, was known for producing the first varietal bottling of petite sirah in the United States and sharing budwood from the original Concannon “Mother Vine” to help replant California cabernet vineyards damaged by phylloxera and other diseases.

The California Association of Winegrape Growers named J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines its 2026 Grower of the Year, citing its leadership in winegrowing, sustainability and innovation. Founded by Jerry Lohr, the family-run company has vineyards in Paso Robles, Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco and St. Helena.

J. Lohr’s San Jose Wine Center will host its France in the Fall wine dinners Nov. 6–7. Tickets are available through J. Lohr’s events page.

Premier Cruz, a Santa Cruz Mountains cabernet sauvignon event, is scheduled for Oct. 24 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Lexington Hills Estate and Winery in Los Gatos. The event will feature 15 wineries, library vintages, select McLaren cars and food from Oak & Rye.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!