Mitchell Katz Winery

Livermore Valley Winery and Tasting Room in Pleasanton

At the end of its palm-tree-lined entrance, the massive brick building, complete with shuttered dormers, plank cellar doors and a cupola, is a reconstruction of its 1887 self, including its original bricks. Home over the years to several local wineries (the original Ruby Hill, Fenestra, Stoneyridge, and more), the building burned down in 1989 and sat deserted for 12 years, until Mitchell Katz and his friend, land developer Michael Callahan, put it back together.

Mitchell’s winemaking roots go back to childhood summers in England with his grandfather, who made wine from cherries, elderberries, strawberries and other fruits. Mitchell opened the winery in 1998—crafting single-vineyard wines, almost entirely from Livermore growers.

Grown in different parts of Livermore Valley, the same grape offers up different wines. Mitchell’s estate grown Petite Sirah is quite different from the Petite Sirah grown at Falling Star Vineyards on Livermore’s east side. However, both have earned honors.

The estate Petite Sirah made San Francisco Chronicle’s Top 100 Wines and earned two gold medals. The Falling Star Petite Sirah won Best of Show at the Orange County Fair, among a selection of 3,000 wines.

Fascinating Fact:

The building’s original cornerstone (from 1887) is ensconced over the outside entrance to the tasting room.

Amenities: Wine club, wine release parties
Founded: 1998
Signature Wines: Petit Sirah, Sangiovese, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Tasting: $5 tasting fee waived with $30 purchase
Hours: Thursday – Sunday 12 – 5

Mitchell Katz Winery
1188 Vineyard Avenue
P.O. Box 459
Pleasanton, CA 94566
925-931-0744

mitchellkatzwine@aol.com
www.mitchellkatzwinery.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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