Livremore’s annual food and wine pairing celebration is returning for another season.

“TASTE: The Livermore Valley Wine Experience,” will take place from October 16-19, and will see the region’s finest wines and restaurants pair up for a fun competition to kick off the weekend.

This year, the “Taste Our Terroir” will showcase a record 20 pairings from local wineries and chefs who fight for bragging rights in a three-hour competition on the lawn at Wente Family Vineyards. Come hungry: a ticket ($125) will supply you with all 20 pairings (see below).

“We’re so excited about what this weekend has in store—from glamorous parties to curated tastings and immersive food and wine experiences,” said Heather McGrail, chair of the event and president of McGrail Vineyards and Winery. “This is the wine experience for Livermore Valley—a perfect reason to take a long weekend in beautiful California and discover everything our region has to offer.”

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There are three brand new judges on the panel this year and they’ll include Keith Beavers (VinePair), Emily Lim (Dabao Singapore, James Beard Award nominee), and Clive Pursehouse (Decanter Magazine). They’ll pick winners for the best classic pairing, most innovative pairing and overall best pairing.

Guests get a say, too, as they decide on the “People’s Choice Award” for the best white and red wine pairings.

There’s also an array of events from quirky to extravagant, with a puppies, wine and yoga class ($70), a scenic vineyard hike ($95), a sommelier-led tasting ($55), a winemaker dinner ($185) and a moonlit masquerade ($80) at McGrail Vineyards, among other events.

Guests participating in last year’s “TASTE: The Livermore Valley Wine Experience” in Livermore Valley (Ron Essex Photography). 

Details: Taste, the Livermore Valley Wine Experience, runs Oct. 16-19. The “Taste Our Terroir” competition is Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and tickets ($125) are still available. The foodie pairing taste off is Sunday, 11 a..m. to 1 p.m., and tickets ($110) are also available. Learn more at lvwine.org.

The 2025 pairing teams:

3 Steves Winery with The Bourbon Pear
Almost Famous Wine Company with Demitri’s Taverna
Arroyo Cellars with Locanda Amalfi
Concannon Vineyard with Terra Mia
Cuda Ridge Wines with Sons of Liberty Alehouse
Darcie Kent Estate Winery with Zephyr Grill & Bar
Del Valle Winery with The Kitchen at Del Valle
Fenestra Winery with Oyo of Pleasanton
Garrè Vineyard and Winery with Garrè Cafe
JMC Cellars with The Black Cat
Las Positas Vineyards with The Lounge @LPV
McGrail Vineyards & Winery with Locanda Wine Bar
Mitchell Katz Winery with Side Track Bar & Grill
Murrieta’s Well with Brava Garden Eatery
Omega Road Winery with Patisserie by Simone
Pruett Estate Winery with The Cheese Parlor
Sakura Winery with Kiseki
The Steven Kent Winery with Wingen Bakery
Wente Family Vineyards with The Grill at Wente
Wood Family Vineyards with First Street Alehouse