A wine tasting carnival for the senses
&
A celebration of all things cabernet franc
Event Lineup
FRIDAY May 3rd, 6-8pm: Friday Night Blind!. $99 per person. Indulge in a full sensory experience that challenges your nose and your palate! We start by leading you through twelve distinctive aromas linked to classic Cabernet Franc—all in a blind “smelling”, relying solely on your nose! Then you’ll take part in a traditional Blind Tasting with six Cabernet Francs, all from unique regions. As each wine is revealed, we’ll dive into winemaker introductions, engaging discussions, and a Q&A session. Your experience includes a personal charcuterie box.
SATURDAY May 4th, 12-2pm: University of Cabernet Franc. $109 per person. Class is in session! Guided by our guest moderator, explore eight Cabernet Francs spanning the globe, showcasing nuances in climate, terroir, and regional winemaking styles. We’ll also have a dynamic panel of winemakers, wine writers, and sommeliers for an entertaining “class” like no other! Your experience includes a personal charcuterie box.
SATURDAY May 4th, 4-6pm: Francs n’ Franks. $119 per person. Embark on a groundbreaking experience as we pioneer the first-ever Cabernet Franc and Sausage pairing! Collaborating with the Livermore Butcher Shop, we present six uniquely crafted homemade sausages expertly paired with six diverse Cabernet Francs. Join a panel of winemakers as they delve into the culinary magic that makes Cab Franc exceptionally food-friendly. Don’t miss out – bring a hearty appetite and your thirst for Cab Franc for this unprecedented tasting journey!
SUNDAY May 5th – The Grand Tasting. 1-4pm (VIP Admission 12-4pm )
Sample Cabernet Franc from ~50 wineries across the globe. World-class wines from Napa, Paso Robles, Livermore, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Barbara, Michigan, Finger Lakes, Oregon, Temecula, Sierra Foothills, France, Australia, Texas, and more! Outdoor event, please plan accordingly.
General Admission: 1-4pm: $99
VIP Admission: 12-4pm $125 – includes an additional hour and access to the VIP section with exclusive and limited-availability wines priced $70/bottle and higher.
Now Accepting Wineries for 2024!
If your winery makes Cab Franc and you’re interested in being part of the 2nd Annual CabFranc-A-Palooza in May 2024, we’d love to hear from you! From May 3rd to May 5th, Cabernet Franc producers from around the world will descend upon Livermore Valley for the premier Cab Franc event of the year! Please submit your info below and we’ll get back to you ASAP!
Winery FAQ
When: Grand Tasting is Sunday May 5th, 2024. Cab Franc seminars and intimate tastings on May 3rd and 4th.
Where: The Purple Orchid Wine Country Resort & Spa in Livermore, CA.
How Many Attendees? ~500 for the Grand Tasting. Demographic is high-income wine consumers from the greater Bay Area.
Will there be media exposure? YES! There will be a significant media presence, including established wine writers, Bay Area media personalities, and other food & wine media. All media will receive full list of participating wineries and contact info for each winery.
Cost to Participate: $150 per booth/table for the Grand Tasting. No cost to participate in the May 3rd and May 4th events, but space is limited. If interested, please inquire.
Can We Take Part in One of the Friday/Saturday Events Too? Yes, we are putting together these tastings now, but space is limited and focused on regional diversity. No cost to participate, and these will have additional media exposure, panelists, etc.
Can Wineries Sell Wine? Yes, but there is no cash and carry. You can take orders and ship after the festival. Festival pricing specials are encouraged.
How Much Wine Do You Need to Provide? 15 bottles if pouring one SKU. If pouring two SKU’s, 12 bottles of each should suffice.
Our Non-Profit Partner for CabFranc-A-Palooza is the Tri-Valley Conservancy, whose mission is to promote economically sustainable vineyards and orchards, and increase permanently protected, biologically diverse open spaces. The TVC is an advocate for Livermore Valley winegrowers and raising awareness of this world-class growing region.
If your winery makes Cab Franc and you’re interested in being part of the 2nd Annual CabFranc-A-Palooza in May 2024, we’d love to hear from you! From May 3rd to May 5th, Cabernet Franc producers from around the world will descend upon Livermore Valley for the premier Cab Franc event of the year! Please submit your info below and we’ll get back to you ASAP!