Spring is a perfect time for strolling downtown visiting local wineries, staying at the Rose Hotel
May in the Bay Area officially signifies that summer is near and visitors are planning visits to Pleasanton and the surrounding Tri-Valley.
Our goal at the Rose Hotel is to make your visit with us as comfortable and relaxing as possible, but we know you may still want to venture out to explore our downtown restaurants, wine bars, and shopping.
Through Labor Day, Weekends on Main will ensure Downtown Pleasanton is ultra-friendly for pedestrians with street closures from 3 p.m. Friday to 9 p.m. Sunday.
And there’s always a little something happening to make a visit more appealing, like Craft Beer Week (May 10-16th). This is a great week, especially since we have several excellent small breweries right within town. Even better? You can walk from The Rose Hotel!
Before stopping in for that particular “cold one,” though, you might want to check out the art at The Firehouse Arts Center or take a stroll through the Museum on Main, two favorite cultural experiences in Pleasanton.
Wineries near Pleasanton
Or perhaps it’s a taste of wine country that you’re seeking?
If you’d like to take a drive, we suggest visiting the nearby Livermore Valley wine region with its rolling hills and bucolic views. You can experience wine tastings and purchase a variety of wines at Ruby Hill Winery and Wente Vineyards. Both require reservations for tastings, so click here for Ruby Hill and here for Wente. Hours are listed on the pages.
Ruby Hill was established in 1887 and today has 150 acres of vineyards planted with eleven varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, and Petite Sirah.
We recommend the smooth yet structured 2016 Ruby Hill Petite Sirah, Reserve Collec-tion, which won best red wine and best in show at the 2020 Livermore Uncorked Compe-tition. Fittingly, the Petite Sirah is a varietal long associated with the Livermore wine-growing region and was first varietally bottled by third generation vintner Jim Concannon in 1963. It has an inky color, full body, and flavors of blueberry, chocolate, plums, and black pepper.
While you might not think to purchase a bold red in the springtime, Petite Sirah is ideal for pairing with barbecue, whether your tastes run to pork shoulder or portobellos.
Wente Vineyards is the country’s oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery, and Wente Vineyard Tasting Lounge offers idyllic views on a historic landmark property. Sip their Certified Sustainable estate-grown wines on a relaxing patio and stay for dinner; their restaurant has an expansive patio and some of the finest cuisine in the valley.
While some of the most popular wines in the Wente brand are reds, including their Nth Degree Merlot and Small Lot Cabernet Franc, their Chardonnays are renowned for their elegance and depth. Both the Eric’s Chardonnay and Nth Degree Chardonnay are superb sippers in springtime: With its hints of lemon and minerality, Eric’s Chardonnay marries well with light seafood dishes, while the more aromatic Nth Degree Chardonnay with vanilla, citrus, and clove brings out the best in a variety of cheeses.
Don’t forget to take a cooler or wine carrier with ice packs because we’re sure you’re go-ing to want to stock up once you try some of these stunners!
Reach us by emailing [email protected], calling (925) 846-8802, or stopping by to visit at 807 Main St., Pleasanton, CA 94566. Click here to book your next visit to the Rose Hotel.
