Good Morning Tri-Valley! Let’s Start Exploring - Can you tell I’m hungry this week?

• International Wine Festival Coming to Livermore

• FREE Ice Cream This Saturday! 🍦

• Alameda County Fair Starts FRIDAY! 🎡

• Danville Bakery Beats 350 Bakeries for Croissant Title!

• City of Dublin Needs Your Help to Name 2 New Parks!

• Epic Dinner in Downtown Pleasanton - Taste a 100 Point Wine

An International Wine Event You DON’T Want to Miss!

Here’s something very cool happening right here in our backyard—and I’m thrilled to be attending!

Back in 2023, Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert had a big idea: what if we created an international network of partner wine regions—kind of like sister cities, but for wine? A way for quality producers in small to mid-sized wine regions around the world to connect, share industry knowledge, and grow together. The partner wine regions would be similar to Livermore Valley in their community spirit and a deep love for terroir as well as their commitment to collaboration and sustainable winemaking practices.

Through a partnership with the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association, that vision became a reality. After more than a year of brainstorming, planning, Zoom calls, in-person visits, and lots of collaboration, the Global Artisan Vintners Alliance (Global AVA) launched this January—featuring 9 co-founding wine regions from North & South America and Europe. Headquartered in the Livermore Valley AVA, the goal of the Global AVA is to promote collaboration and exchange of information between winemakers, wine associations, government representatives, and tourism and economic development organizations. Representatives of the partner wine regions actively participate in professional development opportunities through discussions about emerging winemaking techniques and sustainability practices and economic development, agri-tourism and marketing initiatives to elevate the global presence of the participating wine region, among other opportunities.

Well guess what? Seven of the co-founding wine regions will be in Livermore Valley from June 19–22 for the very first Global AVA in-person Summit!

I’ll be joining them—and you can too! On Saturday, June 21st from 2–5pm, the Global AVA is hosting a public tasting event:

Sip Around the World: The Ultimate International Wine Experience at the Martinelli Event Center.

Come meet the incredible vintners from Baja California, Mexico; Vale dos Vinhedos, Brazil; Alentejo, Portugal; Dalmatia, Croatia; Badacsony, Hungary, Texas Hill Country, TX and of course Livermore Valley. Taste their wines, chat with the people behind them, and enjoy a curated charcuterie spread from The Charming Fig.

Tickets are on sale now for just $60 - and Tri-Valley Explorer readers get $10 off with code CAB10! Let’s show the world how Livermore does hospitality. I’ll see you there! 

To learn more about The Global Artisan Vintners Alliance, find them on Facebook & Instagram @theglobalava and on LinkedIn, The Global AVA - Artisan Vintners Alliance, or sign up to receive their quarterly enewsletter HERE

FREE Ice Cream this Saturday!

Downtown Livermore is about to be the ice cream capital of the Tri-Valley! 🍦

With Meadowlark Dairy opening soon and Lappert’s now officially open, we are living the sweet life! And don’t forget about downtown favs Loard’s and Verace Gelato.

To celebrate, Lappert’s is giving away FREE scoops to the first 100 people this Saturday, June 14th! 🙌 Come early, come hungry—I’ll see you there!

_{In Partnership with Alameda County Fair}
Opening Day is JUNE 13th!

🎡 The countdown is ON! The Alameda County Fair is back June 13–July 6, and now’s the time to snag those early bird deals!

Advanced Sale prices end June 12, so don’t wait—save big on admission, carnival wristbands, parking, Wine Fest tickets, and more at alamedacountyfair.com.

Let’s celebrate summer the fair way—rides, food, wine, fireworks, and all the fun! 🎟️☀️🍷

Enter to Win 2 free Fair admission PLUS 2 free reserved seats to Colbie Caillat on Friday, June 27.  NOTE: this giveaway is through Alameda County Fair, not Tri-Valley Explorer.

Danville Bakeries Heatin’ Up in the News!

Maison Benoit in Danville has been on my radar for months—and now I’m extra excited to finally visit! Their Instagram is absolutely drool-worthy, and they just took home the title of Best Croissant at the San Francisco 2025 Competition 🥐🏆. You can bet you’ll see a feature in Tri-Valley Explorer very soon... stay tuned, pastry lovers! 😍

Laxim’s Bakery & Coffee Shop just opened and is already getting rave reviews for their inventive cakes, pastries, tarts—and yes, even savory sandwiches and coffee that’s worth the trip.

Owner and pastry chef Laxmi Budhathoki clearly knows her way around a whisk, and you can bet I’ll be checking this place out very soon. Stay tuned, sweet tooth friends! 🥐☕🍰

_{In Partnership with CabFranc-A-Palooza}
A HUGE Thank You From CabFranc-A-Palooza!

For those who joined me at CabFranc-A-Palooza on Sunday—what a day! 🍷☀️ Nearly 50 incredible wineries (including 15 from Livermore Valley!), two tasty food trucks, live music, and some seriously cool prize giveaways thanks to Land Rover Livermore, Heritage Estates, and Grilla Grills.

And believe it or not, one of the most popular booths of the day didn’t belong to a winery—it was the H2O station by Malakoff Real Estate Partners, handing out ice-cold water and electrolyte packs to grateful guests all afternoon. 💧 Total lifesavers!

The CabFranc-A-Palooza team would like to give a big thank you to all of the incredible sponsors above—including yours truly, Tri-Valley Explorer! 💛🍷

We’re proud to support events that celebrate great wine, local talent, and community spirit.

Help Dublin Name Two New Parks!

🌳 Help name Dublin’s two newest neighborhood parks!

Two brand-new parks are coming to the Francis Ranch Community, and the City of Dublin wants your help naming them! These parks will be more than just green space—they’ll celebrate Dublin’s heritage, identity, and deep connection to the land.

Got a great name idea? Submit it by Friday, June 13 through their quick online survey (you’ll find a map, layout, and helpful context to inspire your creativity).

Let’s help shape the future of our community—one park name at a time! 💚

Enjoy a 100 Point Wine at THIS Thursday Wine Dinner at Pasta’s Trattoria!

THIS is the Wine Dinner you’ve been waiting for! 🍷✨

Pasta’s Trattoria is hosting their 96th Wine Dinner (yes, 96th—they’ve got this down to an art), and it’s happening right in the heart of downtown Pleasanton.

I’ve been to at least 10 of these over the years, and every single one has been fantastic. But this one? It’s extra special. You’ll get to taste the 2019 Quintessa—a 100-point Cab-dominant blend that’s absolutely stunning.

If you’ve never tried a 100-point wine, this is your chance.

📞 Call (925) 417-2222 to reserve your spot—this one will sell out fast! Thursday June 12th, 6pm.

FIRST COURSE
Assorted Appetizers
2023 Illumination Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma/Napa 96 Points

SECOND COURSE
Jose’s Crab Salad, Maryland Lump Crab, Butter Lettuce, Champagne Dressing/
2023 Flowers Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 94 Points

THIRD COURSE
Chicken Saltimbocca, Mushroom Risotto Fresh Asparagus’
2023 Flowers Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 93 Points

FOURTH COURSE
Gilled Prime New York Steak Gorgonzola Mashed Potatoes, Fresh Vegetables
2022 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 92 Points

FIFTH COURSE
Primrose Bakery Double Chocolate Cake
2019 Quintessa, Rutherford 100 Points