Cuda Ridge Wines, producer of handcrafted, small lot,
Bordeaux style wines, will celebrate the opening of its new tasting room and
winery at 2400 Arroyo Road in Livermore the weekend of August 10-11. This move marks a major milestone in the
short history of this fine Livermore Valley winery. The new facility, along the Livermore Valley
wine trail as you proceed from Las Positas Winery to Rodrigue Molyneaux, will
provide a beautiful wine country setting in which guests can experience award-winning
wines.
Cuda Ridge 2010 Merlot was recently awarded 89 Points by
Wine Enthusiast; and the 2010 Petit Verdot and 2010 Cabernet Franc both received 88 points. In addition, Cuda Ridge received 5 medals at
the 2013 SF Chronicle Wine Competition.
Located on Arroyo Road across from the historic Ravenswood
site, the new Cuda Ridge winery is in the heart of Livermore Valley with views
of the surrounding olive trees and vineyards.
The estate vineyard is being planted now with Petit Verdot and will be
used to make Cuda Ridge Wines Estate Petit Verdot when the vineyard starts
producing fruit in about three years. The
larger 1500-square-foot tasting room will have a standup bar, plus a seating
area for enjoying a tasting flight or bottle of wine. There will be a separate club room for
private and winemaker tastings.
As you taste the wines in the tasting room you can enjoy the
art on display. They will be supporting
local artwork in the winery. Large glass
doors will allow guests to view the barrel room and the working part of the
winery.
Along one side there will be an area where guests can
purchase picnic foods, such as artisan cheeses, salami’s, and crackers. Have a picnic in the designated outdoor
picnic area while enjoying the vineyard views. You will still enjoy the well-known Cuda Ridge
music events, BBQ and car shows around the outside of the winery.
The move to Arroyo Road marks a significant milestone for
Cuda Ridge Wines, which was founded by Larry and Margie Dino in 2007.
"Cuda Ridge started in a garage as a hobby business. In the first phase of our winery endeavor, our
production was only 300 cases and we did not have a tasting room,” says Margie
Dino.
In 2009, Larry and Margie moved their winery to the East
Avenue location to open a tasting room and increase production. Now in 2013 Cuda Ridge production has grown
to about 1600 cases, including Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. With the move to Arroyo Road
in August, Cuda Ridge will have a premier winery setting to accompany its award-winning
wines.
"We are excited about the customer experience that we
will be able to offer our guests with the new location. There are many
amenities that will make us a destination winery in Livermore Valley,” says
Larry Dino.
Larry loves his vintage bright purple 1970 Plymouth
Barracuda muscle car, also known by its nickname, ‘Cuda! As we all know, winemakers are a passionate
bunch, and Larry’s passion for his purple ‘Cuda lead to the name of the winery,
Cuda Ridge. As you look at the label,
that background is not an image of a ridge, but rather, a stylized image of the
‘Cuda!
You are invited to the Cuda Ridge Grand Opening at the new
location at 2400 Arroyo Road on August 10-11, Noon to 4:30 both days. Stop by and stroll through the new Petit
Verdot vineyard, check out the new tasting room, sample some award winning
wines and examine the new facility.
Larry and Margie Dino will be there to greet you and show you
around.
The new Cuda Ridge Winery will open for the Livermore Valley
popular Harvest Wine Celebration on Labor Day weekend, at the new Arroyo Road
location. Information on the new winery,
Grand Opening weekend and the other winery events can be found at www.CudaRidgeWines.com.
See the full photo show at the Examiner.com website.