Two-Bite Wonders

If you can visit any of the state’s many wine regions in September, you’ll find dozens of special events going on to celebrate California Wine Month. And if you can’t, you can always create your own happening at home. Invite a few friends to drop by, then assemble a super simple hors d’oeuvre with juicy California figs, creamy blue cheese, toasted walnuts and a drizzle of honey. These two-bite wonders are an easy appetizer that’s ready in five minutes, max. Slice a baguette and set out a bottle of California Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The historic Livermore Valley excels at both varieties, and with a red and a white on the table, everyone’s happy.

Even longtime wine lovers aren’t always familiar with Livermore Valley’s rich history. European immigrants began planting grapes there in the early 1880s. These visionaries noted the valley’s unusual east-west orientation, which draws cooling breezes from the Pacific Ocean. Almost 140 years later, the consistently fine wines from this region prove their instincts were right.