September Events and News

McGrail Wine Lovers, September is California Wine Month, so pick up your favorite CA wine and enjoy a month long celebration.  We picked and crushed Sauvignon Blanc last week and the juice is already tasting amazing!  September is a gorgeous time at the winery, the vines are luscious and full and the sunsets are breathtaking.  Come out and see us!

Upcoming Events         Livermore Valley Winemaker Dinner at Blackhawk Grill Tuesday, September 18th 6-9PM $95/person Don't miss this great evening of Livermore Valley Wineries paired with delicious dishes from Executive Chef Jason Buckley from Blackhawk Grill. Buy your tickets by calling Blackhawk Grill at 925-736-4295. Sunset Wine Concert with SAGE Saturday, September 22nd  5:00-8:00pm  Bring your dancing shoes, blankets, and lawn chairs for a fun filled evening of dancing, a beautiful sunset, wine and food.  Soleil Pizza will be selling wood-fired pizzas, so please no outside food or beverages.  Tickets available online or at the door. $15/entry fee    Taste of Terroir Winners Pair up for Award Winning Winemaker Dinner  Tuesday, September 25th 6-9PM If you missed Taste of Terroir or attended and loved our pairing, please join us for an Award Winning Winemaker Dinner as we partner with Double Barrel Wine Bar to showcase our pork belly cocoa rubbed pairing that won the Judges Best Award!  Not only will the dinner be scrumptious, we are bringing a special wine for one of the pairings... our James Vincent Cabernet.  To make reservations, please call Double Barrel (925) 243-9463.   $95/person plus tax and gratuity    Grape Stomp at McGrail Saturday, September 29th 12-4PM Come out to McGrail to see all of the fun during Harvest.  Partake in some "I love Lucy" action by Stomping grapes.  Grab a friend and race to fill the bottle first.    Fullest bottle in 30 seconds wins a prize.  Once you are done stomping be prepared to get your purple toes on a t-shirt and decorate your keepsake t-shirt.  Soleil Pizza will be  selling gourmet wood-fired pizzas and live music will keep you entertained. $15/person to stomp (includes t-shirt)          Visit us:  Fridays - Sunday 12-4:00PM

Wine Club Member Reminders    Save the Date: James Vincent Release Party and Member Appreciation Evening at the Winery Thursday, October 18th 5-8PM    California Wine Month Governor Jerry Brown proclaimed September, California Wine Month.  September highlight the state's rich wine history and all that its vintners and growers add to the lifestyle and economy of the Golden State.  We find something special about California wines every month, but there is something extra special in September as it is the beginning of crush.  Come join the excitement at McGrail and taste wines where the grapes are grown!     Harvest in the Vineyard    Our Cabernet is coming along beautifully, we are very excited for the 2012 Vintage!  We have been testing the brix levels (sugar levels) for our Chardonnay and it looks like we will be picking next week.

Winemaker Dinner at Blackhawk Grille - September 18th, 2012

Another Big Win for 2008 Reserve Cabernet

McGrail Vineyards and Winery Cabernet Wins Best Cabernet for the Ladies in Cabernet Shootout 2012

LIVERMORE, CA – January 31, 2012  – McGrail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from McGrail Vineyards and Winery, a family-owned producer of premium wines in the Livermore Valley, recently placed in the top thirty at the 7^th Annual Cabernet Shootout and was then voted the number one wine for women by the three hundred consumers that showed up at The Winery SF on Treasure Island.

The 7^th Annual Cabernet Shootout hosted by Affairs of the Vine and the Bay Area Wine Society included 287 Cabernet Sauvignon entrants from 56 different appellations. This prestigious blind tasting was conducted by two panels—one all male and one all female. The wine writers, sommeliers, winemakers and wine professionals blindly taste over a period of 6 to 12 weeks.  

McGrail Vineyards’ 2008 Reserve Cabernet was among the top ten wines selected by both the male and female panelists, scoring a 91 and 4 hearts, the highest honor.  The top 32 wines were then invited to San Francisco for a large consumer tasting event and competition.

The 2008 McGrail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from McGrail was voted the number one wine for women by Bay Area Wine Society and placed in the top 4 for men’s favorite Cabernet. The wine is well balanced with notes of black cherries, vanilla, blackberries, dark caramel, cola and toasted marshmallows.

McGrail Vineyards and Winery, located in the Livermore Valley American Viticultural Area in Northern California, is owned by the McGrail family.  The 2008 Reserve Cabernet took home the Sweepstakes Red Wine Win for the SF Chronicle just two weeks before winning with the Bay Area Wine Society.

Red Sweepstakes Award for McGrail Vineyards

McGrail Vineyards and Winery Cabernet 

named Best Red Wine in SF Chronicle Wine Competition

LIVERMORE, CA – January 31, 2012  – McGrail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from McGrail Vineyards and Winery, a family-owned producer of premium wines in the Livermore Valley, won the Sweepstakes Red Wine Award from the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

McGrail Vineyards and Winery was one of six Sweepstakes wine winners in the competition.  Categories include Sparking, Rose, White, Red, Dessert, and Label Design.

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition has awarded Sonoma Valley, Russian River, and Paso Robles the Sweepstakes Red Wine Award in the past few years, but this is the first time Livermore Valley has achieved the highest accolade at the largest domestic wine competition in the US, with over 5,500 entrants.

The 2008 McGrail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from McGrail is well balanced with notes of blackberry, dark cherry, cassis, vanilla, dark caramel, and chocolate covered cherries.  The tannins give nice structure and the finish is velvety smooth. 

McGrail Vineyards and Winery, located in the Livermore Valley American Viticulture Area in Northern California, is owned by the McGrail family. The tasting room opened four years ago on the Greenville Hill with expansive views of the Valley.

Upcoming Wine Club Party at McGrail Vineyards

Saturday, June 25^th

Sunset Appreciation Party and Release of The Good Life Cabernet

5:30-8pm

We have traditionally held our “appreciation” party in the winter, but the biggest complaint is that the weather is cold.  So we are holding this fabulous night in June in hopes that we will have a beautiful evening outside.

You will get to taste our newest Release, 2008 A Jo Elet, The Good Life Cabernet, you will enjoy a glass of wine on us and you get to watch the sunset from our patio.  Wood-fired gourmet pizzas by Soleil will be available for purchase, so come with an appetite! 

We will have live music by Top Secret Band, so bring your dancing shoes.

As a special thank you, for your continued support, we will offer a 30% discount on case purchases of the following wines:

2007 Patriot Cabernet Sauvignon

2008 Wisner Vineyard Chardonnay

2009 McGrail Family Chardonnay

**Only available the evening of June 25^th**

Email your pre-orders, so we have your case ready.

MCGRAIL VINEYARDS AND WINERY AND TERRA MIA RESTAURANT ANNOUNCE FIRST WINEMAKERS DINNER

--Event to coincide with AMGEN Tour of California 4^th Stage Start

LIVERMORE, CA ––McGrail Vineyards and Winery, a family-owned producer of premium wines in the Livermore Valley, will partner with Terra Mia, local Livermore independent restaurant, for a Winemakers Dinner on Wednesday, May 18, 2011—perfect timing for cycling enthusiasts who plan to enjoy the AMGEN Tour in Livermore the same day.

Terra Mia and McGrail Vineyards and Winery are teaming up to offer authentic Italian cuisine and premium local wine.  Terra Mia, prides itself on traditional dishes made from scratch, with fresh, local ingredients so plan to “slow” down and enjoy a delicious four course meal paired with award-winning McGrail wines. 

Guests will start with caprese salads paired with newly released 2010 McGrail Vineyards Rose, then will enjoy a pasta or risotto dish with the 2007 Patriot Cabernet Sauvignon. For your entrée enjoy Sole with 2009 Chardonnay and Prime Rib with the exclusive 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (sold out at the winery). Finish off with a dessert paired with McGrail’s first ever Petite Sirah from Casa de Vinas.

Italian tradition links food, wine, and quality time with family and friends, and McGrail Vineyards focuses on making great memories with good wine and friends.  Plan for an experience truly unique to the Livermore Valley.

Seats are limited and reservations are required for this event. The cost is $85 per person.  For reservations, please call (925) 456-3333.

Summer Concert Series at McGrail

It seems like more and more Livermore wineries are starting to have live music for you to enjoy. Well McGrail Vineyards is going to offer a new outdoor bar with the Music in the Vines Summer Concert Series. Here is the lineup so far:

May 28th

1:30-4:30PM

Hurricane Band

Alternative Rock, Classic Rock, Blues and Country

http://www.thehurricaneband.com/

June 19th

1-4PM

James Nagel

Singer/Songwriter Soulfoul Rock

http://www.jamesnagel.com/

July 9th

1:30-5PM

Bacchus Brothers

July 23rd

4-7PM

John Wayne Zink Band

Top 40 and Country

August 20th

1-5PM

Bay Area Heat

Bay Area’s Hottest Dance Band

http://www.thebayareaheat.com/

September 3rd

2-5PM

Sage Band

Funk

http://www.sagemusic.com/

Check out the website for more events: www.mcgrailvineyards.com