The Course at Wente Vineyards

Grapes and golf make for a great combination at The Course at Wente Vineyards, a beautiful but very challenging championship golf course in the Livermore Valley. Ever since opening in the late 1990s, this upscale daily fee facility located 35 miles east of San Francisco has been a popular Bay Area tee time thanks to its private club feel, reputation for superb course maintenance, and highly intriguing layout. The Course at Wente Vineyards has appeared frequently on Golf Advisor s list of the Top Courses in California. It is notable for being Greg Norman s first design in the United States. Norman simply couldn t resist the property. Surrounded by golden hills and well removed from any other development, The Course at Wente Vineyards is an amenity of an 1883-vintage winery that holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating family-owned winery in the country. The playing field rambles amidst three distinct topographies native woodlands, mature vineyards and hills of natural grasslands with more than 200 feet of elevation change between its highest and lowest spots. The rolling hills come alive with elevated tee shots and panoramic views revealing the surrounding countryside. The Course at Wente Vineyards not only mesmerizes players with its gorgeous scenery, it also offers a stern challenge that tests even the most skilled golfers. During two of the three years that the course hosted a Nationwide Tour (now Korn Ferry Tour) event, it produced the Tour s highest scoring average of the season. Big bunkers add definition to the fairways and serve as targets. Although the tee shot landing areas are generous, accuracy is needed on approach shots into the layout s sloping greens. Due to the?elevation changes of the golf grounds, players face some blind shots. Norman has said the short par-4 2nd, with its fairway flanked on both sides by sycamore and oak trees, is his favorite hole. The back nine begins high on a ridge that yields breathtaking vistas. One of the coolest moments at The Course at Wente Vineyards comes when you make the drive up the dramatic, switchback-filled cart path that leads from the 9th green to the 10th tee. The round rushes to a rousing finish with a stretch of five holes set in a valley amidst the vineyards. Creeks, wetlands and a lake add to the beauty and strategy of these final holes. Practice facilities at The Course at Wente Vineyards include a putting green located next to the clubhouse and a driving range and practice bunker high up on a ridge. While Wente Vineyards s?Tasting Lounge is located across the parking lot, the course has a grill restaurant with a patio that boasts views of the 18th green and vineyards. Don t miss out on a tee time at The Course at Wente Vineyards. When you play here you may never want the day to end.?