The Vineyard Comes First
Every great wine begins with a vineyard.
Not every vineyard, however, is created equal.
We believe the pursuit of yield often comes at the expense of character.
Rising farming costs, labor shortages, and market pressures have pushed many growers toward higher yields, mechanization, and efficiency. We understand those realities.
But when those choices compromise quality, we choose a different path.
The finest wines come from vineyards where yields are deliberately restrained, where every decision—from pruning to harvest—is made with character and complexity in mind. These are sites that are often more expensive and difficult to farm—precisely why many wineries pass them by. We seek them out.
That philosophy defines every vineyard relationship at Occasio. We partner with a small number of growers who share our conviction that great wine is made in the vineyard, not the cellar. Many of these relationships span decades. Through years of collaboration and careful observation, we have come to understand the unique voice of each site.
Our role is to protect that voice and translate it faithfully into the bottle.
Livermore Valley
Livermore Valley remains the heart and home of Occasio Winery.
As one of California's oldest winegrowing regions, Livermore offers a rare combination of warm days, cooling evening winds, gravelly soils, and extended hang time. The result is wines with vibrant fruit, floral aromatics, balanced structure, and a distinctive mineral signature that speaks clearly of place.
We source the majority of our fruit from a carefully curated group of Livermore vineyards whose growers continue to prioritize quality over convenience. These partnerships are built on trust, longevity, and a shared commitment to doing things the hard way when it matters.
Thatcher Bay Vineyard
Nestled in the rolling hills of Livermore Valley, Thatcher Bay consistently delivers some of the valley's most expressive Bordeaux varieties. The site excels with Merlot, producing fruit with lifted floral aromatics, vibrant berry character, and exceptional balance. Many of our most distinctive Livermore reds begin their journey here.
Ghielmetti Vineyard
The Ghielmetti family has stewarded one of Livermore Valley's most respected vineyard sites. Their Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc display remarkable depth, structure, and the elegant restraint that defines the finest Livermore wines. This long-standing partnership continues to yield wines of classic varietal character and exceptional aging potential.
Casa de Viñas Vineyard
Located in the eastern reaches of the valley, Casa de Viñas produces fruit of exceptional concentration and poise. The vineyard is particularly renowned for Petite Sirah, while its Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc contribute richness, complexity, and firm, age-worthy structure to many of our most compelling wines.
Sunol Highlands Vineyard
Perched at higher elevation near the Calaveras watershed, Sunol Highlands benefits from cooler temperatures and pronounced diurnal swings. These conditions preserve freshness and acidity in our Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, resulting in wines that marry bright citrus and tropical notes with striking minerality and precision.
Beyond Livermore
We are not loyal to geography. We are loyal to quality.
While Livermore Valley is our foundation, exceptional vineyards exist throughout California. When a site demonstrates extraordinary character and a genuine sense of place, we are willing to look beyond our home valley. These partnerships allow us to explore varieties and expressions that complement our Livermore program without ever compromising our standards.
Shake Ridge Ranch
Located in the rugged Sierra Foothills of Amador County, Shake Ridge Ranch has earned a reputation as one of California's most meticulously farmed vineyards. Its decomposed granite soils, varied exposures, and mountain climate create ideal conditions for Rhône varieties including Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre.
The resulting wines are powerful yet refined, combining depth, structure, and balance with an unmistakable expression of the Sierra Foothills.
Lineage Estate
Tucked within the cool-climate Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Lineage Estate is devoted to Pinot Noir. Multiple Dijon and heritage clones planted across carefully selected blocks yield fruit of exceptional aromatic complexity, elegance, and balance—hallmarks of the finest Green Valley expressions.
The resulting wines demonstrate the precision, nuance, and purity that have made Green Valley one of California's most respected Pinot Noir regions.
A Commitment to Place
We do not choose vineyards for convenience or cost. We choose them because they have something meaningful to say.
Every site in our portfolio has earned its place through years of patient observation, close collaboration with its growers, and consistently exceptional fruit quality. Some contribute only a few barrels each year. Others form the backbone of an entire wine program. All of them reflect our belief that true character cannot be manufactured—it must be coaxed from the land by people willing to farm with restraint, intention, and respect.
Livermore Valley remains our home and the foundation of Occasio Winery. We simply refuse to compromise when another variety or expression can be more honestly realized elsewhere.
Before there is a vintage, before there is a barrel, before there is a bottle, there is a vineyard.
Our responsibility is to ensure it is worthy of the wine that follows.
