The Livermore Valley has been named Wine Enthusiast’s “Wine Region of the Year,” recognizing the region’s longstanding influence on California winemaking. Livermore helped spread the Concannon cabernet sauvignon clones 7, 8 and 11, as well as the Wente chardonnay clone, across the Western United States.

The honor was celebrated at the 24th annual Taste Our Terroir food and wine competition, held Oct. 15 at the renovated Concannon Barrel Room and Bubbles Lounge. The event’s signature gala brought together local wineries and restaurants for food-and-wine pairings.

A panel of judges that included master sommelier Evan Goldstein, wine writer Betsy Andrews and Chef Daniela Fiala presented these awards:

• Best Classic Pairing: Page Mill Winery and Restaurant L Campo, pairing a 2022 GPS blend of Grenache and Petite Sirah with El Campo’s savory soffrito-filled waffle cone.
• Most Innovative Pairing: Steven Kent Winery and Lanna Thai, pairing 2024 “Rock” Cabernet Franc with slow-braised short rib and southern Thai turmeric curry noodles.
• Judges’ Best Overall Pairing: Occasio Winery and Sabio on Main, pairing 2025 Sauvignon Blanc with Thai green curry and butternut squash shooters.

Pruett Farms and the Cheese Parlor won People’s Choice for Best White Wine Pairing. Their entry combined a 2025 Poulet Sautant Stainless Steel Chardonnay with marinated Australian cheese, bourbon cashews, hot honey, Alto Adige speck and Granny Smith apple.

People’s Choice for Best Red Wine Pairing went to winemaker Rosie Fierro of Rosa Fierro Cellars and Chef Jose Madriz of El Charro. Their pairing featured Fierro’s 2017 “Call Me a Cab” Cabernet Sauvignon with a beef birria tamale.

Fierro said the two business owners wanted their pairing and table display to reflect their Hispanic heritage. Tamales are a tradition at Mexican family gatherings, she said, making them a fitting match for a wine event in their Livermore Valley community.

Occasio won the judges’ overall pairing award for the first time. The winery previously received the Most Innovative award in 2022 for a pairing created by Sabio on Main chef Francis Hogan.

More information about the Livermore Valley wine region is available at lvwine.org.

The regional recognition came as Livermore also mourned the death of Jim Concannon, a third-generation winemaker and longtime figure in the region’s wine industry. Concannon, 95, was known for producing the first varietal bottling of petite sirah in the United States. Budwood from the original Concannon “Mother Vine” was also used to help replant California cabernet vineyards damaged by phylloxera and other diseases.

Separately, the California Association of Winegrape Growers named J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines its 2026 Grower of the Year, citing the company’s work in winegrowing, sustainability and innovation. The family-owned business, founded by Jerry Lohr, operates vineyards in Paso Robles, Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco and St. Helena.

J. Lohr’s San Jose Wine Center is scheduled to host France in the Fall wine dinners Nov. 6–7. Details and tickets are available through J. Lohr.

Premier Cruz, a Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon event featuring 15 wineries, is set for Oct. 24 at Lexington Hills Estate and Winery in Los Gatos. The program will include library vintages, a McLaren showcase and light bites. Tickets are available online.