January 30th, 2017 | Livermore Public Library, Civic Center
The meeting began with President Tammy Reus and Treasurer Don Milanese giving a report on the successes of 2016, including support to such issues and organizations as Friends of Tesla Park, the Tri-Valley Conservancy, Dubliners for Change, and opposing the waiver to Measure D for the conditional use permit requested by the Sikh Temple.
 
Tammy provided some welcoming remarks to the approximately 40 people in attendance, including Board members.  Some of the events noted included the Page Mill scholarship fund raiser, the annual holiday party, participation in the Wine Country Festival, and the hike and Wente cave tour/lunch.
 
We were also able to announce the results of our board elections with the reinstatement of Meredith Sarboraria and Dr. Neal Ely as Directors.  During the meeting the guest speaker, Mr. Dick Finn, gave an interesting and engaging talk titled “History of Tri-Valley Vineyards.”  The talk focused on the development and early years of the grape growing and wine making in the Valley up through about the turn of the 20th Century.  His talk was well received and drew a number of questions.  

December 18th, 2016 2:00 PM | Mertes Center for the Arts, Las Positas College
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The FOV Holiday Party was a joyous success with wine, and music by violinist Jim Hurley.

The party was held at Las Positas College Mertes Center for the Arts, which was fitting as we tasted wine made from the college along with wines from Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery, owned by our board member Nancy Rodrigue, and Rubino Winery, owned by Mike Callahan.  All wines were graciously donated by winemakers.  
 
Eighty members and guests came together on a beautiful winter day to celebrate the season and were treated to an afternoon of delectable appetizers and desserts provided by the board.
 
Raffle winners won wine packages: a Wente Vintage Poster and a handmade quilt.
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Proceeds from the event were donated to the Las Positas Viticulture & Enology program and Friends of Tesla Park.

The Fight to Protect it in 2016

In 2016, Friends of the Vineyards opposed the issuance of a conditional use permit for a religious facility on a parcel outside the Alameda County Urban Growth Boundary.  It is our position that the use violates County Measure D, which precludes urban land uses outside the urban growth boundary. 

Friends of the Vineyards joined with Friends of Livermore and the Sierra Club to oppose the application before the County Board of Supervisors.  Friends of the Vineyards Directors Monica DePalmo and Meredith Sarboraria attended the hearing and spoke on behalf of FOV. Despite our best efforts, the Board of Supervisors voted to approve the permit with conditions, including a requirement that a portion of the property be devoted to agricultural use. 

Friends of the Vineyards is working with the Tri-Valley Conservancy to monitor the property and ensure that the conditions are being met.  Up to now, the County Board has voted to strictly enforce Measure D, but their action has now set a precedent to allow unauthorized uses outside the urban growth boundary.  This decision may lead others to apply for exceptions to Measure D requirements.  We are very concerned about this prospect and will seek to follow this issue closely.

November 4, 2016 | Casa Real Event Center, Pleasanton, CA
Friends of the Vineyards board members attended TVC's big yearly fundraiser, Jeans & Jewels. This year's theme was All That Jazz, and featured food stations and cocktails local to New Orleans. Attendees wore New Orleans jazz and Mardi Gras inspired attire (and, of course, lots of jeans and gobs of jewels!).

 The event was MC'ed by CBS 5 News's Roberta Gonzales, and included a rousing live auction and cocktail hour/silent auction. Funds raised go to supporting Tri-Valley Conservancy's efforts to preserve private and public open space in the Tri-Valley.

If you have never attended, this event is typically held during the first week of November each year. Visit TVC's website to purchase tickets 

​September 22nd, 2016 | Page Mill Winery, Livermore

This year's Twilight Tasting was a fantastic time! Thanks to all who came out and helped raise money for our Viticulture & Winery Technology scholarships at Las Positas College. 

We had wonderful handmade crafts and cheesecakes for sale, a portion of the profits from the sales of which went to the scholarship funds. 

Of course, we also want to thank Page Mill Winery, who not only hosted the event again, but donated tips and tasting fees to the scholarship funds.

Congratulations to the winners of our raffles: Mark Sutherland, who won a vintage Wente poster from the early 80s; and Rich & Ana Butler and Jean King, who all won wine baskets from Page Mill Winery!

This year, we raised $688 for the College program. Next year, we will be awarding two $750 scholarships to students in the program.

Join us again next year!

Our Sycamore Grove hike and Wente Cave tour was a rousing success!
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We would like to say thank you to Ranger Pat for the interesting and educational hike of the new stretch of trail going from the Arroyo Road entrance to the staging area of the back side of Lake Del Valle. Check it out yourself sometime!

We would also like to thank the wonderful people at Wente Vineyards for providing us with the tour and history of the wine caves, and the scrumptious lunch! We also welcomed several new members who joined because of this event, so thank you, as well!!!
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Stay tuned for information on our next event, the Twilight Tasting Fundraiser at Page Mill Winery on September 22nd, benefiting the Viticulture & Enology program at Las Positas College.

​January 2016 Election Results
Patty Bias was re-elected  to the board and is continuing as our Membership Chair. Don Milanese was re-elected to the board and is continuing as our Treasurer.