Award-winning vino crafted by Bent Creek Winery


Bottles of the Award-winning vino crafted by Bent Creek Winery

“It’s like standing around the kitchen with your best friends, drinking a glass of wine,” says Bree Klotter of Livermore. Klotter describes the atmosphere at Bent Creek Winery perfectly. There’s a feeling of warmth and camaraderie here. No pretensions, no snobby attitudes. Just a bunch of happy people, savoring the taste of good wine.

Lynn and Mike Merritt cannot think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. “The location is so gorgeous,” says Lynn Meritt. “They encourage you to enjoy both the wine and the property.”

The vineyard is owned by Tom and Pat Heineman, who have lived on the property since 1981. When retirement drew near (he was a district level school administrator and she was an elementary school principal), they decided it was time ‘to do something totally different’. Since they live in historic Livermore wine country, their thoughts turned to vineyards and wine making. Classes in viticulture at UC Davis gave them the impetus to move forward. The vineyard was planted and Tom eased into his new role of owner/manager. “He loves being his own boss, he loves being outdoors,” says wife Pat. “I treat my vineyard very much like a park that I can enjoy,” adds Tom Heineman, who loves sharing his knowledge and property with visitors.

In 2000, the Heinemans joined forces with good friends Carol and Richard Howell to open Bent Creek Winery. Rich Howell is the winemaker, a job he embraces with passion and commitment. “You have to have a clear understanding of what a good wine is,” explains Rich. “It can be hard work. Physical and intellectual… well balanced… in a nice way. Like good wine!”

Bottles of the Award-winning vino crafted by Bent Creek Winery

Over the years, Bent Creek Winery has produced excellent quality wines. “We are pleased that we are making really good wines from our Livermore Valley grapes,” says Pat Heineman, proudly. Their newest release the ‘06 Cabernet Franc won a silver medal at the 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. No surprise to Bent Creek friends and fans!

Other reds available are the gold medal winners: ‘04 Livermore Valley Syrah and ’06 Livermore Valley Petite Sirah. As well as the ’06 Livermore Valley Red On Red and the ’05 Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvignon which won silver medals last year. There are also two delicious white wines, a Chardonnay and a Sauvignon Blanc. Bent Creek has also become well-known for their award-winning Ports. The ‘06 Livermore Valley Zinfandel Port and the ‘06 Amador County Vintage Port, described as a true Portuguese-style port, a blend of five traditional grapes.

Carol Howell and Pat Heineman are usually on hand to greet visitors at their charming tasting room at Greenville Road in Livermore. A tasting patio and a large shaded area outdoors overlook the open vineyards. Even in their dormant state, the rows of vines exude a peaceful ambience. Especially in spring and summer, visitors bring in a picnic lunch to enjoy with their favorite wines.

The Heinemans and the Howells make a marvelous team. Creating happy synergy, at every level. From blending and tasting to sales and service. They respect each other’s palettes and points of view. As Rich Howell sums it up, “All four of us have a similar ideal of what we think good wine should be, and are all headed the same way!” This is especially vital at the blending stage. “It is a critical step in the wine production,” says Pat Heineman. “It’s the one that will determine what the character of the wine is from then on!”

Mark and Maria Triska are neighbors and big fans of Bent Creek Winery and its owners. “They are one of the few examples of perfect teamwork,” says Mark Triska. “They co-exist and complement each other.” The Triskas belong to Bent Creek’s First Call Wine Club. “It is probably one of the most successful wine clubs among the small wineries here,” adds Triska.

The First Call Wine Club release parties are very popular. It’s a chance for members to get together and enjoy the new wines. As well as delicious food pairings like grilled roasted pork loin with maple-mustard glaze, steak with petit sirah mushroom sauce and their famous pecan-walnut mix. Bree and Kevin Klotter tell us that they have incorporated both Bent Creek wines and recipes into their cooking. Bree is a little sad to bid goodbye to their last bottle of the ‘04 Cab. “We enjoyed even drop,” she says. “But she is reassured by the fact that they can look forward to new releases from Bent Creek. As Bree Klotter knows, “Pretty much any bottle I open is bound to be a good wine!” 

Philippa Coelho
Bent Creek Winery
5455 Greenville Rd, Livermore CA 94550
Tasting Room is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 4.30 pm 
Other times available by appointment.
925-455-6320


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