The Livermore Valley is one of California's oldest wine-growing regions, planted by Spanish missionaries in the late 18th century and developed commercially from the 1880s by the Wente and Concannon families. The valley today has over 50 wineries, mostly small family operations, stretched along Tesla Road and Mines Road south-east of the city.
The valley's gravelly soils and warm days/cool nights produce particularly good Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Petite Sirah. It is markedly less crowded and less expensive than Napa or Sonoma. Many wineries are within cycling distance of each other; tasting flights are typically around $20 and waived with a bottle purchase.