Eckert Estate Winery

Livermore Valley Winery and Tasting Room

The tasting room is a small bungalow house, with a big window offering a view of olive orchards, vineyards and hills beyond as well as owls, hawks, deer, great big rabbits and an occasional fox. Out back more olive trees.

When Michael and Vickie Eckert bought a few acres off Arroyo Road in 1985, they planned to raise horses. Instead—at the suggestion of tablemates at a winery dinner—they planted grape vines. Michael dove into viticulture courses and was mentored by Livermore winemakers.

When the winery first opened, their Petite Sirah won a gold medal and Best of Region at the California State Fair.

Eckert’s passion is blending.

“I love to do blendings, and I like to work with a variety of wines because it gives me a full palette to paint with. We have always prided ourselves on being a little off the mainstream."

The Eckerts hope people will come away having tried at least one wine that is a totally new experience.

Fascinating Fact:

Rik Hansen’s olive oil mill—a hundred yards from the tasting room—is open the first and third weekend of the month, noon to five.

Amenities: Wine club; local olive oil; bottle your own wine.
Founded: 2001
Signature Wines: Malbec; Ensemble (a blend of Cabernet, Carignane, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel)
Wine Tasting: Tasting is free. Groups of six or eight $3 a person.
Hours: Weekends 12 – 5, or by appointment.

Eckert Estate Winery
2400 Arroyo Road
Livermore, CA, 94550
925-371-8606

wine@eckertestate.com
www.eckertestate.com

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Sandy Sims, an award winning journalist, newspaper editor, and travel writer, also writes fiction.
Thomas C. Wilmer is an award-winning author and travel writer. His latest book; Wine Seeker's Guide to Livermore Valley is available from White Cloud Press or Amazon.com.

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