This past Saturday and Sunday marked the grand opening, or rather, the grand reopening of Ruby Hill Winery in Pleasanton, California. Originally built in 1887, the resurrection of this historic winery is a testament to the ongoing development occurring within the once-dominant wine region of Livermore Valley.
The story of Livermore Valley dates back to 1846, when an Englishman by the name of Robert Livermore planted the first-known vineyard in the area. Around the time that Ruby Hill Winery first opened, over 3,000 acres of grapes had already been planted in the valley, making it a viable contender against Napa Valley in the race to become California’s premier wine region. The Wentes and the Concannons, two of the most recognizable winemaking families and brands to come out of Livermore Valley, also established roots within the wine community in the 1880s.
Over the years, the Livermore region fell out of prominence, with its wines no longer appealing to the elite class of wine consumers. Livermore Valley boasts a climate similar to Napa’s, conducive to growing various types of grapes, yet vintners in the region cannot yield enough profit from their harvests to compete with likes of Napa and Sonoma. In order to maintain lucrative operations, some Livermore winemakers are forced to be less selective with their grapes and cut corners when it comes to purchasing equipment. But all that has begun to change, thanks in part to the South Livermore Valley Area Plan. The piece of legislation was passed in 1993 and preserved nearly 4,000 acres of the region’s land for vineyards. The plan allowed the local wine-loving population to purchase modest pieces of real estate, inspiring a resurgence of interest in the wine industry over the past few years.
Articles about a revival of sorts in Livermore Valley littered California newspapers around 2003 and 2004, and that growth has continued on in recent years, with Ruby Hill Winery being the latest establishment to open in the area. Alongside winemaker Chris Graves, owners Mike and Sharon Callahan unveiled the winery’s 5,000-square-foot tasting room to the public this past weekend. The Ruby Hill website identifies the winery’s specialties as Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Italian varietals such as Sangiovese and Barbera. Over the next month, patrons can continue to sample Ruby Hill wines in the facility’s Mediterranean-style tasting room for free. You can visit the winery for a tasting Thursday through Sunday, anytime between 11:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
While the new Ruby Hill Winery is sure to draw some attention because of its celebrated history, the Callahans are partially responsible for another successful business in the Pleasanton area: the Mitchell Katz Winery located just down the street. Several years back, the Callahans partnered with Mitchell and Alicia Katz in an attempt to rejuvenate the abandoned Ruby Hill site. The couple is hoping that the progress they made with Mitchell Katz Winery will persist in the reincarnation of Ruby Hill Winery, translating into even more success for the entrepreneurial cause in Livermore Valley.
Even though it’s difficult to compete with the esteemed brands and the thousands of acres of grapes in Napa and Sonoma Counties, Livermore vintners aren’t giving up. Determined to renew the reputation of the Livermore Valley appellation, this small, yet focused group of growers is on pace to make a name for themselves within the modern wine market.
Kim on Monday, February 11th, 2008 in News, Special Events.
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