John Christopher Cellars in Livermore is Closed
John Christopher Cellars
John Christopher Cellars was a boutique winery specializing in small-lot red wines, particularly Petite Sirah and innovative blends like the renowned Starfall (a Bordeaux-style mix) and the approachable Courtyard Red (Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Franc). It also produced Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and buttery Chardonnay. With annual production of 1,200–1,500 cases, the winery emphasized high-quality, food-friendly varietals in an elegant yet welcoming downtown tasting room at historic Blacksmith Square. The space featured a beautiful brick courtyard for relaxed sipping, live music events, and wine-related gifts, blending upscale sophistication with a friendly, community vibe amid Livermore Valley's pioneering wine heritage.
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| Watercolor Illustration by Rich Sigberman |
John Christopher Cellars History
Founded in 2001 by Tom Doczy—a Chicago native and engineer turned winemaker—John Christopher Cellars drew its name from the middle names of his sons, Thomas John and Michael Christopher. Encouraged by Livermore mentors Tom Coyne and Lanny Repogle of Fenestra Winery, he produced acclaimed vintages in 2003 and 2004. In May 2006, the winery opened its tasting room at 25 South Livermore Avenue, Suite 103, in the newly renovated Blacksmith Square. The historic site was originally an 1880s blacksmith shop (and later a muffler shop) transformed into a vibrant hub for wineries and boutiques. The square quickly became a popular downtown destination for wine tasting.
Tom Doczy's passion was inspired by a Christmas gift of winemaking supplies from his father, leading to his first commercial releases: the 2001 Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, both of which sold out rapidly.
John Christopher Cellars at Blacksmith Square
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| John Christopher Cellars Photographed by Kim Giancaterino |
Livermore (Images of America)
by Livermore Heritage Guild and John Christian
In this compact volume from Arcadia Publishing's esteemed "Images of America" series, the Livermore Heritage Guild—veterans of local preservation efforts since 1972—delivers a vivid snapshot of California's Tri-Valley gem from the mid-20th century onward. Co-authored with John Christian, the book chronicles Livermore's metamorphosis from a post-Depression ranching hub to a suburban powerhouse fueled by federal labs and wartime ingenuity.
These images capture the grit of tuberculosis sanatoriums, the sprawl of vineyards yielding to tract homes, and community cornerstones like fire stations and Main Street parades. The format is straightforward—photo-heavy with concise captions—making it less a narrative memoir and more a visual timeline for history buffs or newcomers.
John Christopher Cellars by Andrew Glazier
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