Pleasure Rating 1 2 3 4 5
Difficulty Rating 1 2 3 4 5
Mileage 3.5 miles
For a map of Del Valle Click Here
For a map of Del Valle Click Here
Why Wente and Del Valle?
When you think of northern California, wine usually comes to mind. As it should, for California is home to some of the best vineyards in the world with Napa and Sonoma being the most famous regions. However, less famous towns like Livermore are equally historic and distinguished among wine lovers, possessing some of the oldest wine growers in the state, Wente Vineyards being one of them. In fact, it is the oldest and continuously operated family owned winery in the country. In 1883, C. H. Wente, a first-generation immigrant from Germany, purchased 47 acres in the Livermore Valley. Recognizing that the warm days, cool nights and gravelly soils of the Livermore Valley were ideal for growing grapes, he planted vines and founded Wente Vineyards. 130 years later, Wente Family Estates continue to be family owned and operated by the fourth and fifth generation Wente's.
Located directly behind the Wente property is Del Valle Regional Park. This wonderful East Bay regional park includes hiking trails, camping, fishing, boating, biking, and swimming. Del Valle is especially beautiful with its rolling hillsides in the winter and spring seasons, conjuring images of Ireland with its emerald green grass. In summer and fall, the hillsides are a carpet of dry grass dramatically engulfing the vineyards below, a brown and green quilt-work of thousands of rows of grapes. Visiting this special place is like jumping into one of Monet's quintessential pastoral landscapes- an impression of Europe, right here at home.
Let's Get Tasting!
The drive out to Wente Vineyards is a pleasure in an of itself. Located just about 10 minutes off of I-580 in Livermore on Arroyo Road, the narrow country roads wind leisurely all the way out to the base of the hills, where you will be surrounded by rows of grapes as far as the eye can see. There are two Wente locations, so when getting driving directions, ensure you are headed to the Arroyo Rd location. Park your car and take some time to walk around the grounds and become acquainted with the setting. This property is so beautifully designated with flowering walkways, a main fountain, and Spanish mission style architecture. Find your way over to the small but cozy tasting room. Here you can choose which grouping of wines you'd like to try, become educated in local grapes and the history of the vineyard, and get acquainted with what this winery is all about. After you've been given your first pour, wander out to the outdoor tasting area- this is a divine and relaxing location to sip and savor your delicious local wine. The landscaping and architecture of Wente is luxurious and elegant, but the ambiance is casual and relaxed. You can be a wine expert or this could literally be your first tasting ever- the people here do not care. They just want you to enjoy yourself and their lovely wine. Sitting and sipping on this perfect patio feels as if you have slipped away on a European vacation, if only for a couple of hours; so take time to admire the surroundings and relax.
Let's Get Hiking!
After you have enjoyed your time at Wente, drive (or walk) about 1/4 mile up Arroyo Rd to the East Shore Trail parking lot on the left hand side of the road, just passed Camp Arroyo. Here you will begin your hikeabout. Bring water, a picnic lunch, possibly a bottle of wine recently purchased at Wente Vineyards and your camera.
Begin your trek upon the East Shore Trail, a wide dirt path that will gradually lead you downhill toward a shallow creek bed. Cross a bridge and approach the creek. In the winter and spring this will be muddy and very saturated. In summer it is a dry and cracking patchwork of parched earth. Cross the creek bed and you will see an iron cow gate- pass thru the gate and continue on your hike. Veer left on the trail and wind gradually uphill along a darling little creek bed toward the top of the hillsides. Here you will be accompanied by the chattering chickadees and swallows that live in the valley oaks overhead. Trees line the creek bed with a thin layer of lovely shade.
You will reach what looks like the face of some badlands-type of hillsides. This dry and craggy outcropping is the home to more native birds who live in the small crevices. Continue your gradual assent to the intersection of a new trail that veers right and you will climb uphill to the summit of the East Shore Trail.
In the shade of a valley oak there sits a beautiful solitary bench, the perfect place to enjoy your picnic. From this vista, you can see the grand expanse of Del Valle Regional Park- the majestic lake, the surrounding network of hiking and biking trails, the undulating hills as far as the eye can see. Behind you is the incredible wine valley of Livermore, so pastoral and quaint. This is an East Bay treasure to savor, so sip, munch, and breathe the fresh air. This is the good life- la bonne vie!
I recommend spending as much time up here as possible. For the more adventurous and energetic hiker, head down any one of the gorgeous trails below to get a closer look at Del Valle; but for our kids, this is the perfect time to descend the hills and head back to the car.
Located directly behind the Wente property is Del Valle Regional Park. This wonderful East Bay regional park includes hiking trails, camping, fishing, boating, biking, and swimming. Del Valle is especially beautiful with its rolling hillsides in the winter and spring seasons, conjuring images of Ireland with its emerald green grass. In summer and fall, the hillsides are a carpet of dry grass dramatically engulfing the vineyards below, a brown and green quilt-work of thousands of rows of grapes. Visiting this special place is like jumping into one of Monet's quintessential pastoral landscapes- an impression of Europe, right here at home.Let's Get Tasting!
The drive out to Wente Vineyards is a pleasure in an of itself. Located just about 10 minutes off of I-580 in Livermore on Arroyo Road, the narrow country roads wind leisurely all the way out to the base of the hills, where you will be surrounded by rows of grapes as far as the eye can see. There are two Wente locations, so when getting driving directions, ensure you are headed to the Arroyo Rd location. Park your car and take some time to walk around the grounds and become acquainted with the setting. This property is so beautifully designated with flowering walkways, a main fountain, and Spanish mission style architecture. Find your way over to the small but cozy tasting room. Here you can choose which grouping of wines you'd like to try, become educated in local grapes and the history of the vineyard, and get acquainted with what this winery is all about. After you've been given your first pour, wander out to the outdoor tasting area- this is a divine and relaxing location to sip and savor your delicious local wine. The landscaping and architecture of Wente is luxurious and elegant, but the ambiance is casual and relaxed. You can be a wine expert or this could literally be your first tasting ever- the people here do not care. They just want you to enjoy yourself and their lovely wine. Sitting and sipping on this perfect patio feels as if you have slipped away on a European vacation, if only for a couple of hours; so take time to admire the surroundings and relax.
After you have enjoyed your time at Wente, drive (or walk) about 1/4 mile up Arroyo Rd to the East Shore Trail parking lot on the left hand side of the road, just passed Camp Arroyo. Here you will begin your hikeabout. Bring water, a picnic lunch, possibly a bottle of wine recently purchased at Wente Vineyards and your camera.
Begin your trek upon the East Shore Trail, a wide dirt path that will gradually lead you downhill toward a shallow creek bed. Cross a bridge and approach the creek. In the winter and spring this will be muddy and very saturated. In summer it is a dry and cracking patchwork of parched earth. Cross the creek bed and you will see an iron cow gate- pass thru the gate and continue on your hike. Veer left on the trail and wind gradually uphill along a darling little creek bed toward the top of the hillsides. Here you will be accompanied by the chattering chickadees and swallows that live in the valley oaks overhead. Trees line the creek bed with a thin layer of lovely shade.
You will reach what looks like the face of some badlands-type of hillsides. This dry and craggy outcropping is the home to more native birds who live in the small crevices. Continue your gradual assent to the intersection of a new trail that veers right and you will climb uphill to the summit of the East Shore Trail.
In the shade of a valley oak there sits a beautiful solitary bench, the perfect place to enjoy your picnic. From this vista, you can see the grand expanse of Del Valle Regional Park- the majestic lake, the surrounding network of hiking and biking trails, the undulating hills as far as the eye can see. Behind you is the incredible wine valley of Livermore, so pastoral and quaint. This is an East Bay treasure to savor, so sip, munch, and breathe the fresh air. This is the good life- la bonne vie!
I recommend spending as much time up here as possible. For the more adventurous and energetic hiker, head down any one of the gorgeous trails below to get a closer look at Del Valle; but for our kids, this is the perfect time to descend the hills and head back to the car.
You can head back down the same way you came, but I prefer to make the loop by descending the adjacent trail. This is a wider fire lane that winds back down to the same cow gate and eventually the parking lot.
What I love about this hike is that it touches upon so many of my favorite things- fine wine, great trekking upon the hills, water features, wildlife, and stellar vistas- but most of all, it is such high quality time and fun for the whole family! Cheers and enjoy!
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