Wente Vineyards wine dates back to 1883, and currently boasts more than 2,700 acres of vineyards in this rural region of Livermore, 45 minutes east of downtown San Francisco. However, it was this Greg Norman designed golf course that arose interest from golfers in the Bay Area when the course opened for play in 1998.

The decision to open a course here in the Livermore Valley was two-fold, and Norman was  commissioned to design the layout because of his expertise in both fields. An accomplished international player with his own vested interests in the wine industry, Norman was hired build the Course at Wente Vineyards to both draw golfers to the region and to complement the vineyard itself. Boasting a 'country club for a day' atmosphere, the basis for the development has created a very playable layout meandering through the foothills of a valley world renowned for the excellent wine it produces.

The course climbs and plunges through 200 foot crests of elevation change, which nicely accentuate the gorgeous views of the cliffs Cresta Blanca and the Livermore Valley: prominent landscape features throughout the round. Within the astounding natural beauty that surrounds the course are the Wente Vineyards that frame most holes, creating a depth to the beauty of the property.

Throughout the course, there are signs of the prodigy (Norman) looking to emulate the sublime bunker work of the state's most notable architect, Alister Mackenzie, who counts Cypress Point, Pasatiempo, and the Valley Club at Montecito on his resume. It's a dramatic departure from many of Norman's earlier  designs, and an appropriate homage to both Mackenzie and the soft features of the Wente landscape.

The course gets off to an exciting start from the elevated tee on the 429-yard par four. No bunkers are to be found, however thick grasses loom on the right and vineyards encroach on the left, both in the landing area and the approach. The elevation gives the golfer some added distance off the tee, setting them up for a fairly easy chance at an opening par.

From there, the course really gets started with the signature second hole. Measuring only 307 yards from the back tees, the hole is drivable for the longest hitter, but a strategically placed tee shot can be more rewarding. The green complex is both small and severe, so a perfect lay-up to a good wedge yardage is imperative to secure a birdie chance. Players trying to reach the green from the tee can target the broad cliffs that dramatically frame the green, but their tee shots must be accurate, as the green is trapped by several copses of trees.  

The middle holes of the front nine climb a ridge to the beautiful par-three seventh, which plays 228 yards down the hill into an adjacent valley.  Four large bunkers guard the green and club selection is crucial here, especially because of the hole's exposure to the wind.

According to the scorecard, the most difficult hole on the course is the outward half's finale, a 467-yard goliath that plays along the edge of a valley, and derives its difficulty from more than just its length. A strong tee shot must carry a finger of vineyard that juts in front of the tee. From there, golfers are lef with at least 200 yards to a massive, undulating green, one of three holes on the front side without a greenside bunker.

The long, uphill, par-five 12th has a number of intriguing options for the third shot. A large tree stands guard in the center of the fairway, forcing the golfer to play their second shots to either side of it. The short approach from the left is preferable, though, into this undulating green protected on both sides by deep bunkers.

The closing stretch at Wente Vineyards is not for the feeble. Four long holes culminate with the 469-yard, par-four finisher. The fairway at 18 is bisected by a creek that feeds into a large pond fronting the green, and players must determine to which side they intend to play. The safer tee shot to the left leaves a much longer approach, while a bolder play to the thinner, right fairway provides the better angle of approach.  The green from here is interestingly lined up with the chimney of the clubhouse, offering a distinct target line for your final shot at Wente Vineyards.

The choice of Greg Norman – a wine connoisseur in his own right – as the designer of the Course at Wente Vineyards has been a success.  While you won’t find Norman’s own wine on display here, the Grill at Wente Vineyards does have ample supply of its own libations to soothe the golfer at the 19th hole.  This is a wonderful case of brand marketing overlapping the two passions of many golf travellers.