Good Morning Tri-Valley! Let’s Start Exploring!

Tri-Valley Explorer is proud to sponsor this year’s CabFranc-A-Palooza!

If you’re into wine, you already know: Cabernet Franc is having a serious moment—and the Livermore Valley is leading the charge. It’s the “it” grape right now: winemakers love working with it, and it happens to be one of the most food-friendly wines out there.

The Grand Tasting is happening June 8, and it’s going to be a day to remember:
🍷 50 wineries from Livermore, Napa, Paso, Oregon, France & beyond
🎶 Live music from Bay Area legend Dan Durkin
🍔 Food trucks
🎁 Awesome giveaways (announced soon!)

VIP tickets are sold out, but Early Bird General Admission is still just $79—grab yours before prices go up!

A couple weeks ago, my husband and I finally stopped by Headyworks after seeing all the buzz on social. Tucked away just off Vasco Road (blink and you’ll miss it), this spot feels like hanging out in your best friend’s backyard—if your best friend brewed ridiculously good beer.

Here’s what we tried:

🍺 Mango Michi
My husband suggested this one for me—and he nailed it. It’s a sour ale made with mango purée and tamarind (two of my faves), and it totally hit the spot. Pro tip: try it with Tajín on the rim—it’s unlike any other beer I’ve ever had and I love it! I wasn’t the only fan, he said “this is the most interesting beer I’ve ever tried…and I can’t wait to have another.”

🍺 Finish Him Hazy IPA
This one was right up his alley—he’s a big Hazy IPA guy. Lots of citrus and pine on the nose, and he liked it enough to grab a couple 4-packs to go.

Headyworks is such a cool weekend hangout or post-work spot. Great staff, laid-back vibe, and beers that are anything but boring. You guys should check it out!

Family 4-Pack of Tickets: Jessica Chan, Susan Sherrill, and @just1morebite

Pair of Tickets with Wine Fest Tickets: Kimmie Hoffman, Desiree Mejia, and Ronnie Lampkin

Didn’t win? That’s ok because I have a stack of tickets to give away over the next 4 weeks! Next Giveaway in Thursday’s newsletter!

If you’ve ever driven past Lions Wayside Park on a Friday morning in the summer, you’ve probably seen folks staking out their spots with blankets—it’s a thing. That’s because Pleasanton’s Concert in the Park is back starting in July, and it’s one of those traditions that just makes summer feel right.

Bring a picnic, soak up that perfect evening weather, and enjoy live music from some amazing local bands. It’s the ultimate low-key Friday night vibe, and it’s also kid friendly, so don’t forget to pack them too— can’t wait to go back!

Are you ready for it?
This weekend is going to be epic—Downtown Livermore Street Fest is back for two full days, and it’s one of my absolute favorite ways to kick off summer!

The weather’s looking perfect (hello, mid-70s ☀️), and downtown will be packed with everything we love: local wine + craft beer, a ton of food options, live music everywhere, shopping, a kids zone, and so much more.

Grab your crew, wear comfy shoes, and plan to spend the day soaking it all in.
🎉 Click here for full event details!

One of my favorite spots at the Alameda County Fair is the Michelob Ultra Grandstand because every Friday-Sunday at 6pm there are INSANE stunt shows like a Monster Truck show, Rodeo Showdeo and the Off-Axis Stunt Show! Plus four FMX shows almost daily. All Action Sports shows are FREE with Fair admission, buy tix at alamedacountyfair.com. 

Enter to Win a Family 4 Pack of admission tickets and enjoy the ACTION!

This May, get ready to celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month! In honor of APIHM, let’s meet the owners behind some locally loved small businesses in the Tri-Valley. Click here to find API-owned businesses near you on Yelp!

Hanna, owner of Hanna’s Chocolates, a local chocolatier in Pleasanton: “Our family moved to the East Bay a little over 4 years ago and we immediately fell in love with it and knew we wanted to grow our roots here.  That's why it was an easy decision to start our shop in Pleasanton. My life mission is to make people happy through food and I have a deep passion for creating chocolates. I hope that we can continue to spread our love in the community by making people’s day a little sweeter with our chocolates”

Peni & Sherry, owners of Ofa’s Island BBQ, a hot family bbq business that can be found at Tri-Valley farmers markets:: “Our family is of Polynesian descent from the islands of Tonga and Samoa. ‘Ofa’ in the Tongan language means love and we have love for tasty foods from all over the world. We are excited to bring our own flavors and we hope you enjoy a taste of Island love from our family to yours.”

Angela, owner of Egghead Sando Cafe, an essential breakfast sandwich joint in San Ramon: “A true foodie at heart, Angela's journey in the restaurant industry began at the age of 15, but she's always had the soul of an entrepreneur. Whether exploring new flavors or dreaming of business ideas, her love for food and innovation drives everything she does!”

Anosh & Pallavi, owners of AK Lounge & Grill, a lively Indian-fusion restaurant in Pleasanton: “As the heart and soul behind AK lounge and Grill, we are driven by love for food, culture, and community. with backgrounds and hospitality and a vision to bring bold, unique flavors to Pleasanton, we take pride in offering a modern take on Indian and Global cuisines.”

Denise, owner of Junbi Matcha, a poppin’ matcha spot in Livermore: “I'm proud to be the owner of Junbi Matcha & Tea - Livermore.  I always wanted to own my own business. I'm grateful to Junbi for giving me this opportunity. Junbi translates to ‘preparation’ in Japanese. Everything we do is in preparation to serve our customers the best product, customer service, and experience.”

Monica, owner of Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice, a cool dessert spot in Livermore: “I am a mother, wife, daughter, registered nurse, and most recently a small business owner. I was inspired by my mother, Aleli, to always follow my dreams and give back to my community; I hope to bring the taste and vibes of the islands to the Bay Area and put a smile on everyone’s faces one shave ice at a time. Mahalo!”

Wendy, owner of Good Common Sense Naturals, a sustainable and all-natural skincare shop  in Pleasanton: “Growing up with sensitive skin made me realize there were very little options for natural beauty and skincare. I wanted a brand that would provide not just clean, but truly natural plant-based and essential oil products. We hope you come visit our little shop and find renewable products for everyone in your family! Our mission was right in front of us: put good in and get good out. Challenge Accepted!”

Manny and Tim, owners of CRUST Sourdough Deli, a sandwich shop specializing in fresh sourdough in Pleasanton: Manny & Tim are former Cal Poly, SLO college roommates, former engineers, business partners, and not so great pickleball players. Their friendship was built on good eats and this passion motivated them to create restaurants of their own so they can provide food lovers with fresh made sandwiches, salads, and cookies that are memorable and satisfying, all served quickly with a smile.

Did I miss any breaking news? Is there something you’d like me to cover? Send me an email! [email protected]

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