Behold, Le Vermour! The gently rolling hills of this under-sung region are home to more than 50 wineries, tightly clustered over less-than 25 square miles. The climate is Mediterranean. Olive groves punctuate the vineyards, and a great mountain peak rises to the east. In the local small towns, families gather for games of bocce, village squares play host to folk music performances, and bicyclists roll by from dawn to dusk.
Despite the Gallic nickname I’ve bestowed on this charming area, it’s not in France. In fact, way back in 1889, a dry white wine produced by the Cresta Blanca winery here bested a host of French vintners to win the international gold medal for wine at the Paris Exposition, bringing California viticulture its first great moment of global acclaim.
Welcome to the Tri-Valley. Located just 35 miles east of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Area Rapid Transit system can get you here from central San Francisco in 40 minutes for under six bucks.
Authored By Jim Gladstone – See the Full Story at Passport Magazine
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