Weekend At A Winery: Trolley Tour & Tasting In Century-Old Wine Region

BRENTWOOD, CA — Contra Costa wine country may not have the name recognition as Napa, Sonoma, Livermore or Temecula valleys. But it is a region with a wine-growing history that dates back more than a century.

And for wine adventurers, an upcoming "Fall Wine Tasting Trolley Tour" on Sept. 18 could be an ideal chance to get aquainted — or reaquainted — with the area, located across the bay from San Francisco.

The Contra Costa region offers a hot climate, cool night temps and sandy soil, which translates to an extended growing season and flavorful grapes, according to industry experts. And at the beginning of the 20th century, most of the land was planted with vineyards.

During Prohibition, however, local growers could not earn enough from grapes and transitioned to such fruit crops as cherries and pears, trade officials said. (Read more on the region's history here.)

But as Contra Costa vino business regains momentum, the city of Brentwood now is the unofficial, grape-growing hub and home to several wineries and vintners producing award-winning wines.

Need an excuse to explore?

The local trade group, the Contra Costa Winegrowers Association, is hosting its 1st Annual Fall Wine Tasting Trolley Tour Sunday, Sept. 18 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

"The best way to enjoy this beautiful wine country is aboard the wine trolley," officials said.

Attendees board the trolleys for loops through the wine country with "hop-on, hop-off" tasting stops at local wineries.

Tickets are $95 each, and a souvenir glass, a wine tote and small bites are included. The event is for ages 21-plus.

Additional food, along with food trucks, will be at each location for separate purchases.

Participating wineries for the trolley tour include:

• Bloomfield Vineyards, operated by a local farming family;
• Campos Family Vineyards, a self-described "hidden gem";
• Favalora Vineyards and Winery, a Livermore-based winery that uses grapes from the Oakley region of Contra Costa County;
• Hannah Nicole Vineyards, operators of a sustainably farmed, 54-acre vineyard;
• Nunn Family Vineyards, growers and harvesters of wine grapes at Orchard & Vine vineyard on the southern slope of Brentwood;
• Serendipity Cellars, a family business that began as a home wine-makers' journey.

For additional winegrowers in the Contra Costa region, follow this link.

To make a full day of it, check this link for local farms and country stores in the Brentwood region, or the "Better in Brentwood" website for dining, shopping and community events.

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ALSO SEE:

• Oktoberfest 2022: Guide To The Most Wunderbar In California
• Haunted Houses 2022: Guide To The Ghoulish Best In California

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FOR OTHER WINE ADVENTURES THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA:

• Enjoy 'September Harvest' At An Unexpected Place
• Book A Stay At New Paso Robles Vineyard Farmhouse
• Add Shannon Family Of Wines To Your Travel Agenda
• Tour Temecula In 'Real Housewives'-Style
• See The Vineyards Sidecar-Style In Napa & Sonoma