This Malbec from Livermore’s legendary Ghielmetti Vineyard is off the charts.

Don’t believe us? Listen to what the winemaker has to say: “If you’re new to the variety, then this wine will make you a believer.”

The secret to these extreme values in one word? Livermore. How many Livermore wines are in your stash? Probably between zero and one.

Unless you bought the Occasio Cabernet we blew out last year - in which case you’re already halfway through checking out. Because you already know…

Once regarded as better than Napa, this region remains underrated today but is home to big names like Mirassou, Concannon, Steven Kent, and Wente. Charles Wetmore anyone? You can find some SERIOUS value if you dig around.

Serious value doesn’t describe what we have here. It completely OBLITERATED everything in a five-foot radius at our recent tasting - big-name, expensive Napa reds included. It all starts to make sense when you learn Occasio founder/winemaker John Kinney was inspired by the philosophy of French great, Henri Jayer, the winemaker behind arguably the greatest of all Burgundies. And it shows. He’s fanatical about every aspect. Hand harvesting and hand sorting everything. Small production, obsessive focus (just over 50 cases made of this!). Choosing the absolute best American or French oak to bring out entire personalities. Micro-farming each vineyard plot to maximize its expression of terroir.

Occasio is a well-kept local secret, but it’s bound not to stay so for long at this rate of churning such delights back-to-back. What we can’t comprehend is how the wine press has yet to catch up. With the exception of Wine Enthusiast a couple of dozen 90+ reviews and Editors’ Choice awards for Occasio later, Occasio is clearly their pick of a Livermore superstar.

This one is IT. These Heritage varietals are amazing buys at just $21.