Wine Tasting in Livermore Valley
A relaxed, unhurried tasting experience at a family-owned Livermore Valley winery - pouring handcrafted, single-vineyard wines since 1998.
Wed–Sun, 12–5 PM · $20 tasting fee · Dog-friendly · Picnic-welcome · 45 min from San Francisco
A Livermore Wine Tasting Without the Rush
In a region crowded with big, polished tasting rooms, wine tasting at Mitchell Katz is something different: a quieter, slower pour in a working family winery in the heart of the Livermore Valley AVA. No scripts. No stopwatch on your flight. Just good wine, a comfortable setting, and time to actually enjoy both.
We’ve been making single-vineyard wines in the Livermore Valley since 1998. Our tasting room is small by design – we cap standard reservations at six guests so you’re not competing with a bachelorette party for the host’s attention. Come in, settle onto the patio or find a seat at the bar inside, and let us walk you through what we’re pouring.
If you want to linger after your tasting, stay as long as you’d like. Order a glass or a bottle and let the afternoon stretch out across the vineyards. Most of our best visits do.
What to Expect From Your Tasting
Every wine tasting at Mitchell Katz follows the same principle: relaxed pace, honest conversation, and wines that actually reflect where they come from. Here’s what the visit looks like:
Duration
Tasting Fee
Wines Poured
Your Host
Group Size
After The Tasting
The Wines You'll Taste
Mitchell Katz is a single-vineyard winery – meaning every wine we pour comes from a specific, identifiable Livermore Valley vineyard rather than blended anonymous fruit. That matters because terroir matters. Two Cabernet Sauvignons from two different Livermore vineyards taste like two different wines, and we think you should be able to taste the difference.
Our tasting lineup rotates with the season and current releases, but you’ll typically find:
Our Flagship Red Wines
Fat Boy Cabernet Sauvignon is the bottle most people know us for. Hand-picked from three Livermore Valley vineyards, aged 36+ months in French oak, built to cellar but already drinking beautifully. If you’re new to Mitchell Katz and want one wine to remember us by, this is it.
Casa de Viñas is a single-vineyard designate from one of Livermore’s most distinctive sites — we pour Merlot, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, and Malbec from this vineyard, each expressing a different microclimate within the same property.
Raboli Zinfandel represents Livermore’s old-vine Zinfandel heritage. Livermore Valley has been growing Zinfandel for over a century, and Raboli is one of our favorite vineyard sources for the varietal.
Our White & Specialty Wines
Sunshine Sauvignon Blanc and our Reserve Estate Chardonnay from the Shadow Hills Vineyard represent the warm-climate whites Livermore does exceptionally well. The diurnal temperature swing (hot days, cool nights from the San Francisco Bay breeze) preserves acidity that flatter wine regions can’t match.
Wet My Lips Rosé for when the patio weather calls for something lighter. Dry, food-friendly, and unapologetically crushable.
Español Mariposa Tawny Port for the end of the flight. A sweet finish that pairs with chocolate, cheese, or just another hour on the patio.
If something at the tasting stands out, take a bottle home directly. Or explore the full list – including older vintages and wine club exclusives – at our online store.
More Than A Wine Tasting
Mitchell Katz is a working winery, not just a storefront – which means there’s often more happening here beyond the daily tasting flight.
Winery
Events
Release parties, live music, seasonal celebrations, barrel tastings, and member-only evenings
Private Tastings
For groups of 7+, with customizable wine selections and dedicated hosting
Corporate Events
Team offsites, client gatherings, and business entertaining in a wine country setting
Weddings & Vow Renewals
An intimate Livermore Valley wedding venue surrounded by working vineyards
Katz Kru Wine Club
Quarterly wine releases, member-exclusive perks, 50% off one bottle every Friday, and complimentary tastings anytime you visit
The wine club is how most of our regulars build their relationship with us. If the tasting goes well and you find yourself wanting more, ask your host about membership before you leave.
Visit Our Livermore Valley Tasting Room
We’re located at 2915 S Vasco Rd in Livermore, a short drive from downtown Livermore and about 45 miles east of San Francisco. Our tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 PM. We’re closed Monday and Tuesday.
The Space
A rustic tasting room with indoor seating, plus a covered outdoor patio with views of the surrounding vineyards and the Livermore Valley hills beyond. Both are comfortable, neither is fussy. Come in what you’re comfortable in – this isn’t a Napa tasting room where people dress up to drink wine.
Pets
We’re dog-friendly, inside and out. Well-behaved pets are always welcome, and we have water bowls on the patio. Service animals are always welcome.
Kids
Families are welcome. We recommend bringing something to keep little ones occupied while adults enjoy the tasting — we don’t have a dedicated kids’ area, but we’ll always make room and we won’t make you feel rushed.
Food
We don’t currently offer food on-site, but Mitchell Katz is picnic-friendly. Bring cheese, charcuterie, sandwiches, or whatever you’d like — spread out on the patio and stay awhile. A food program is in the works; we’ll share updates when it launches.
Accessibility
The tasting room and patio are both ground-level accessible. Let us know in advance if you have specific needs and we’ll make sure you’re set up comfortably.
Parking
Free on-site parking directly in front of the winery. No need to reserve or pay.
Reservations & Walk-Ins
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends, when we’re often fully booked. The easiest way to secure your spot is to book online — the calendar updates in real time, so whatever you see is what’s actually available.
Walk-ins are welcome whenever space allows. Weekday afternoons (Wednesday through Friday) usually have availability; weekends are a gamble. If you’re driving out from San Francisco, Oakland, or the South Bay and don’t want to risk a wasted trip, book ahead.
Groups larger than six should contact us directly for a private tasting rather than booking multiple standard reservations. Private tastings give larger groups a dedicated host, a reserved space, and a more personalized tasting experience — the right choice for birthdays, anniversaries, corporate outings, or bachelorette parties.
Cancellations: Life happens. If you need to reschedule or cancel, just reach out at least a few hours in advance so we can open your slot for another guest.
About Mitchell Katz Winery
We’re a family-owned boutique winery in Livermore Valley, California, founded in 1998 to honor Mitchell Katz’s grandfather. Three generations of the family have been involved in the winery at different points, and our approach has stayed consistent across all of them: small-batch, single-vineyard wines that reflect the specific character of the Livermore Valley.
We don’t produce at scale. We don’t blend across regions. We don’t outsource our winemaking. Every bottle that leaves this winery was grown, fermented, aged, and finished here — in a valley that’s been growing wine grapes since the 1880s and gave California its foundational Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay clones.
If you’ve done wine tasting in Napa or Sonoma and left feeling like you paid a lot of money to be rushed through someone’s sales pitch, Livermore Valley — and Mitchell Katz specifically — is the antidote. Smaller crowds. Better prices. More time with the people actually making the wine.
Planning Your Visit to Livermore Wine Country
Mitchell Katz is one of 40+ wineries in the Livermore Valley AVA, the original California wine region and one of the oldest continuously operating wine regions in the United States. If you’re planning a broader day trip or weekend in Livermore Valley, here are some useful starting points:
Livermore Wine Country Day Trip Guide – our full guide to building a perfect day in the valley, with route suggestions, food stops, and pacing advice
Wineries Near Dublin & San Ramon – easy access from the I-680 corridor and the BART Dublin/Pleasanton station
Getting to Livermore Valley from the Bay Area
About 45 minutes from San Francisco via I-580 East, 35 minutes from Oakland, 50 minutes from San Jose. Most visitors drive; there’s no reasonable transit option from the city directly to the wineries, though you can take BART to Dublin/Pleasanton and grab a rideshare from there if you’d prefer not to drive.
Best Times to Visit
Spring (March–May) and fall (September–October) are our favorite seasons – comfortable patio weather, vineyards at their most photogenic. Weekends get busier; if you can visit on a Wednesday or Thursday, you’ll often have the tasting room nearly to yourself.
How Many Wineries to Plan Per Day
Two to four is the sustainable pace. Tastings run 60–90 minutes, you’ll want food breaks and driving time, and your palate genuinely starts to fade after the fourth stop. Plan for quality over quantity.
Livermore Valley is easy to navigate – most wineries are within a 15-minute drive of each other. Weekend reservations are almost always easier to come by than their Napa or Sonoma counterparts, and the overall experience is considerably less expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions About
Wine Tasting at Mitchell Katz
Do I need a reservation for wine tasting at Mitchell Katz?
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends when we’re often fully booked. Walk-ins are welcome when space allows, but booking ahead guarantees your spot. You can reserve online 24/7.
How much is a wine tasting at Mitchell Katz Winery?
Our tasting fee is $20 per person. Wine Club members taste complimentary, along with up to three guests per visit.
How long does a wine tasting last?
The tasting itself typically takes 60–75 minutes. You’re welcome to linger longer and order a glass or bottle after — most guests do.
How many people can be in a tasting reservation?
Up to 6 guests per standard reservation. For larger groups, book a private tasting for a dedicated host and reserved space.
Is Mitchell Katz dog-friendly?
Yes. Well-behaved dogs are welcome both inside the tasting room and on the outdoor patio. We have water bowls available on the patio.
Can I bring food to my wine tasting?
Yes — we’re picnic-friendly. Bring your own cheese boards, charcuterie, sandwiches, or meals. We don’t currently offer food on-site, but we will in the future. Outside food is encouraged, not just tolerated.
Are kids allowed at the winery?
Families are welcome. Bring activities for little ones, as the tasting experience is designed for adults.
Where is Mitchell Katz Winery located?
2915 S Vasco Rd, Livermore, CA 94550 — a short drive from downtown Livermore, about 45 miles east of San Francisco.
What are your hours?
Wednesday through Sunday, 12 PM to 5 PM. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Do you ship wine?
Yes — bottles can be shipped to most states. Orders placed through our online store ship within a few business days.
What makes Mitchell Katz different from other Livermore wineries?
Three things: we’re small and family-owned, we make single-vineyard wines (not blended bulk), and we don’t rush tastings. If you’ve felt rushed through a Napa tasting, Mitchell Katz is the deliberate opposite.
Wondering how we compare to Wente? See our honest comparison
What's the best wine to try at Mitchell Katz?
If it’s your first visit and you’re a red wine drinker, the Fat Boy Cabernet Sauvignon is the bottle most people remember us for. If you prefer whites, the Reserve Estate Chardonnay from Shadow Hills Vineyard is our hero white.
Can I buy wine to take home after the tasting?
Absolutely. Any wine you taste is available for bottle purchase, and we usually have older vintages and library wines available that aren’t on the tasting menu. Wine Club members get a discount on all bottle purchases.
Is Mitchell Katz Winery wheelchair accessible?
Yes — both the tasting room and patio are ground-level accessible. Let us know in advance about any specific needs and we’ll accommodate.
What is Livermore Valley wine country known for?
Livermore Valley is California’s oldest wine region, famous for being the birthplace of California Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay clones. Today, 40+ family-owned wineries operate here, producing single-vineyard wines with a more relaxed, less commercial feel than Napa or Sonoma.
What is single-vineyard wine?
Single-vineyard wine is made from grapes grown at one specific, identifiable vineyard rather than blended across multiple sources. The wine reflects the unique soil, microclimate, and growing conditions of that one site. At Mitchell Katz, every wine we pour is single-vineyard from a specific Livermore Valley source.
How do I get to Mitchell Katz Winery from San Francisco?
Take I-580 East from San Francisco for about 45 miles (45 minutes without traffic). Exit at Vasco Road South, then continue about 1 mile to 2915 S Vasco Rd. Free on-site parking.
Is Livermore Valley better than Napa for wine tasting?
Different rather than better. Livermore offers smaller crowds, lower tasting fees ($20-$40 vs $50-$100 in Napa), easier weekend reservations, and more direct contact with winemakers. Napa has more variety and higher-end estates. For a relaxed Bay Area wine country day, Livermore is the easier and more affordable option.
Ready to visit Mitchell Katz Winery?
Questions? Call us at (925) 800-6275 or email office@mitchellkatzwinery.com
Related Guides
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Tri-Valley guide
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Day Trip Guide
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