Fenestra Winery

Livermore Valley Winery and Tasting Room

Drive up a dirt road, pass massive oaks to what looks like a wood barn. Walk down the side of the building, actually built into the side of the hill.

The wonderful musky smell of aging wine hits as you walk into what feels like the cellar of a working winery.

It is, one of Livermore’s very first. Begun in 1889 by George True, the Golden Rule Winery closed down during prohibition.

In 1976, Fran and Lanny Replogle bought and renovated True’s dilapidated facilities and named it Fenestra—the first small, premium winery in Livermore.

Lanny, a 31-year chemistry professor at San Jose State University, had spent years crafting home wine, worked three summers at Paul Masson Winery’s research department, and crafted his wines at Stony Ridge Winery.

Fenestra wines, an extensive list, have won many Gold Medals, the coveted Unanimous Gold and Chairman’s Award at the Riverside International Wine Competition, and Best Red Wine of Show at the Bay Area Wine Competition.

Their grapes are sourced 60 percent Livermore, 30 percent Lodi. Lanny loves combining an array of more than 15 grapes into Fentestra’s most popular blend “True Red,” (named in memory of original founder George True).

Fascinating Fact:

Handmade nails hold the original 1889 beams together, and three original walls are two feet thick.

Amenities: Wine club, picnic area
Founded: 1976
Signature Wines: True Red
Wine Tasting: $5 fee waived with purchase.
Hours: Friday – Sunday 12 – 5

Fenestra Winery
83 Vallecitos Road
Livermore, CA, 94550
925-447-5246

info@fenestrawinery.com
www.fenestrawinery.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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