Your Questions, Answered
Everything you need to know about McGrail Vineyards and Winery
Wine Tasting and Visiting
How much does a wine tasting cost?
Wine tasting fees at McGrail Vineyards are $25/person for our Traditional tasting menu and $40/person for our Elevated tasting menu
Do you need a reservation for wine tasting?
Reservations are not always required, but they are highly recommended to guarantee a table on our Panoramic Patio. You can book your reservation via our website, McGrail Vineyards
How long does a wine tasting take?
A seated wine tasting usually lasts about 60 to 90 minutes, which gives you time to enjoy several pours without feeling rushed. Seated tastings take place on our Panoramic Patio and are exclusively for guests 21 and over.
Can you bring kids to a winery?
Children are welcome on the family-friendly front lawn with adult supervision, while the Panoramic Patio is 21 and over, except for infants under one year old in a stroller.
Can you bring your dog to a winery?
McGrail Vineyards loves your furry friends, but they are not permitted on the winery grounds.
Can you bring outside food or a picnic to a winery?
Many wineries allow guests to bring outside food or a picnic, though outside alcohol is never permitted. McGrail welcomes outside food and sealed bottled water during business hours, we do not allow outside alcohol. We often times have food trucks on-site selling food, so feel free to check our events page for details.
What is barrel tasting?
A barrel tasting lets you sample wine straight from the barrel before it is bottled, offering a preview of future vintages and a look at how the wine is aging. McGrail offers a Barrel Tasting and Vineyard Tour on Fridays through Sundays by appointment, which includes a guided vineyard walk and a sample of upcoming releases.
What should you wear to a wine tasting?
Smart casual clothing and comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a safe choice for a wine tasting, especially at wineries with vineyard walks or outdoor seating. Since McGrail’s tastings take place on an open-air patio and lawn with valley views, it helps to dress for the weather and bring sun protection in warmer months.
What time do Livermore wineries open?
Most Livermore Valley wineries open late morning and close in the late afternoon, with many keeping hours around 11am to 5pm. McGrail Vineyards is open daily from 11:00am to 5:00pm, with the last seated tasting beginning at 3:30pm.
Livermore Valley and Getting There
Where is Livermore Valley wine country?
Livermore Valley is a wine region in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area, located less than an hour east of San Francisco in Alameda County and less than an hour from Silicon Valley and San Jose. McGrail Vineyards sits on a hilltop at 5600 Greenville Road, Livermore, CA 94550.
What is Livermore Valley known for?
Livermore Valley is one of California’s oldest wine regions and is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Franc. It also played a foundational role in California wine, with the widely planted Concannon Cabernet clone and Wente Chardonnay clone originating here. McGrail Vineyards is a family-owned winery in the valley that specializes in estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon.
How many wineries are in Livermore Valley?
There are more than 50 wineries in the Livermore Valley today, ranging from large historic producers to small boutique operations. McGrail Vineyards is one of the valley’s family-owned, women-led boutique wineries.
How far is Livermore Valley from San Francisco and the Bay Area?
Livermore Valley is less than an hour’s drive east of San Francisco and is easily reached from across the Bay Area, including San Jose, Pleasanton, Tracy, and Fremont. McGrail Vineyards is in the East Bay, east of Pleasanton and Dublin, with drive times varying by traffic.
What makes Livermore Valley wine country special?
Livermore Valley is known for relaxed, intimate tastings with affordable fees, and visitors often meet the winemakers or owners themselves. McGrail reflects that spirit as a down-to-earth, family-run winery with hilltop views and a tasting room that aims to take the intimidation out of wine.
What is the climate and soil like in Livermore Valley?
Livermore Valley has a rare east-west orientation that draws in coastal fog and marine breezes to cool warm afternoons, paired with gravelly soils that concentrate flavor in the grapes. McGrail’s hilltop estate benefits from this pattern, with morning fog and warm afternoon sun that suit Cabernet Sauvignon.
When is the best time to visit Livermore wine country?
Livermore Valley wineries are open year-round, with harvest in fall and budbreak in spring among the most scenic times to visit. McGrail is open daily and adds seasonal experiences, such as heated Snow Globe Igloos from December through March.
How do I find and check in at McGrail Vineyards?
McGrail Vineyards is at 5600 Greenville Road in Livermore. On arrival, head down the walkway on the right side of the building toward the fountain, then check in at the hostess stand inside the tasting room for both reservations and walk-ins.
Wines and Varietals
What does Cabernet Sauvignon taste like?
Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied red wine known for dark fruit flavors such as blackcurrant and black cherry, firm tannins, and notes of cedar or spice from oak aging. McGrail Vineyards specializes in bold, estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon from the Livermore Valley.
What food pairs well with Cabernet Sauvignon?
Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with rich, savory foods such as grilled steak, pot roasts, mushrooms, hard aged cheeses, and even dark chocolate, since its tannins balance fat and protein. At McGrail, charcuterie boxes and small bites are available to enjoy alongside the wines.
What does estate-grown wine mean?
Estate-grown wine is made from grapes grown on land the winery owns or controls, giving the producer full control over farming and quality from vine to bottle. McGrail’s wines are estate-grown from its vineyard on Greenville Road, planted in 1999, and the Lucky 8 Vineyard on Tesla Road.
What is a reserve wine?
A reserve wine is typically a winery’s selection of its best lots, often given extra aging before release, though the term has no strict legal definition in the United States. McGrail’s Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is one of its signature bottlings and earned a 92-point score from Wine Enthusiast for the 2022 vintage as well as the best red wine in the United States in 2012..
How should you store and serve red wine?
Red wine is best stored on its side in a cool, dark place with stable temperature, and most reds, including Cabernet Sauvignon, show best served slightly below room temperature, around 60 to 65 degrees. Letting a bold red breathe for a short time before serving can help open up its aromas.
Why is Livermore Valley important to California Cabernet and Chardonnay?
Livermore Valley is the source of two of California’s most influential grape clones, the Concannon Cabernet Sauvignon clone and the Wente Chardonnay clone, which together account for a large share of those varieties planted across the state. As a Livermore Valley winery focused on Cabernet Sauvignon, McGrail is part of this Cabernet heritage.
Are Livermore Valley wines award-winning?
Livermore Valley has a long award history, dating to 1889 when the region won America’s first international gold medal for wine at the Paris Exposition. McGrail continues that tradition, with its Cabernet Reserve named Best Red Wine in the United States at the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and recent 94-point Wine Enthusiast scores.
What makes a winery sustainable?
Sustainable wineries use practices that protect the land and water, such as natural pest control, efficient irrigation, and soil health management, so the vineyard can thrive for generations. McGrail farms with sustainability in mind, using owl boxes for natural pest control and soil moisture probes to manage water use.
Events and Private Bookings
Can you host a private event at a winery?
Many wineries host private events in spaces such as patios, barrel rooms, and lawns, often after the tasting room closes. McGrail hosts private events in its barrel room, Panoramic Patio, vineyard patio, and front lawn arbor, accommodating about 90 guests indoors and up to 200 outdoors.
Do wineries host weddings?
Some wineries host weddings and ceremonies, while others focus only on tastings and social events, so it is worth confirming with each venue. McGrail Vineyards does not host weddings or ceremonies, focusing instead on private celebrations and corporate events for guests 21 and over.
What kinds of events do wineries hold?
Wineries commonly hold events such as live music, new release parties, food and wine pairings, and seasonal celebrations. McGrail’s calendar includes release parties, live music, yoga, and lobster feeds, with upcoming events listed on its events page.
What is a wine blending experience?
A wine blending experience lets guests combine different barrel samples to create their own custom blend, learning how winemakers balance flavor, structure, and aroma. McGrail offers a wine blending camp for groups between 16 and 70 people as one of its private event options.
Can you hold a corporate event at a winery?
Wineries are popular for corporate events such as team outings, client gatherings, and offsites, thanks to their scenic settings and built-in hospitality. McGrail hosts corporate functions and works with each host to tailor the space and experience.
How many people can a winery event space hold?
Capacity varies widely by winery, from intimate groups to several hundred guests across indoor and outdoor areas. McGrail can accommodate approximately 90 guests indoors and up to 200 guests in its outdoor spaces.
How do you book a private event at a winery?
Most wineries ask you to submit an inquiry form or contact an events coordinator, who then follows up with availability, pricing, and options. To book at McGrail, fill out the inquiry questionnaire on the private events page and the events team will reach out with details.
Are winery events for adults only?
Wine tasting itself is reserved for guests 21 and over, and many private winery events are adults-only, though some public events include family-friendly areas. McGrail’s private events are geared toward guests 21 and over, but supervised children are allowed to join.
Buying, Shipping and Pickup
Can you buy wine directly from a winery?
Yes, wineries sell wine directly to consumers, both in the tasting room and through an online shop, often including bottles not sold in stores. McGrail offers its wines through an online shop organized by current releases, type, and varietal, as well as in person at the tasting room or through the wine club.
Can a winery ship wine to your state?
Most US states allow direct-to-consumer wine shipping, but the rules and taxes vary by state and a few restrict it, so availability depends on your delivery address. McGrail calculates shipping availability and cost at checkout, so you can confirm whether delivery is offered to your location.
Do you have to be 21 to receive a wine delivery?
Yes, an adult who is 21 or over must be present to sign for any wine delivery, as required by law for alcohol shipments, and packages cannot be left unattended. This applies to wine ordered from McGrail just as it does to any US winery. It is highly recommended to ship wine to a business address for the adult signature and the earlier in the day delivery.
What is curbside pickup at a winery?
Curbside pickup lets you order wine online or by phone and collect it without leaving your car, a convenient option for local customers. McGrail offers curbside pickup daily from 10:30am to 4:30pm.
Do wineries sell gift cards?
Many wineries sell gift cards that can be used toward tastings, events, or wine, making a flexible gift for wine lovers. McGrail Vineyards sells gift cards through its online shop and tasting room.
What is a large-format wine bottle?
A large-format bottle holds more than a standard 750ml bottle, such as a 1.5 liter magnum, and is popular for celebrations and for aging wine, since larger formats can mature more slowly. McGrail offers large-format bottles in its online shop.
What are library wines?
Library wines are older vintages that a winery holds back from release and ages in its cellar, then offers later so collectors can taste mature examples. McGrail includes a library selection alongside its current releases.
How do you contact a winery about an order?
Most wineries list a phone number and email for order and shipping questions, usually answered by their hospitality or customer care team. You can reach McGrail Vineyards at info@mcgrailvineyards.com or 925-215-0717 for help with an order, shipment, or pickup.