The Course at Wente Vineyards

The Course at Wente Vineyards is an 18-hole championship layout set within the Wente family estate in the scenic Livermore Valley wine country, about 50 minutes east of San Francisco. Designed by golf great Greg Norman, this upscale daily-fee course winds through native woodlands, mature vineyards, and rolling grassland hills, offering more than 200 feet of elevation change and sweeping views across the valley. Playing to 7,181 yards from the tips at par 72, it blends genuine championship challenge with the relaxed charm of a wine-country destination that also offers tasting, dining, and event venues.

Quick Facts

Course History

The Course at Wente Vineyards opened in July 1998 as part of the historic Wente family's Livermore Valley estate, one of California's oldest continuously operated wineries. From the start it was conceived as a premium, publicly accessible destination that pairs championship golf with wine-country hospitality.

The course earned national attention when it hosted the Livermore Valley Wine Country Championship, an event on the PGA Tour's developmental Nationwide Tour, from 2006 through 2008. That professional stage helped cement its reputation as one of the premier public venues in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Design & Architecture

Greg Norman routed the course across three distinct topographies, native woodlands, mature working vineyards, and rolling grassland hills, giving each stretch of holes its own character. With more than 200 feet of elevation change across the property, the design leans into dramatic hillside terrain, framing shots with vineyard rows, oak-dotted slopes, and long valley vistas. Norman used the natural contours to create risk-reward angles and demanding, sloping green sites rather than imposing an artificial layout on the land.

Playing the Course

Stretching to 7,181 yards from the back tees at par 72, the course rates a stern 74.7 with a 144 slope, making club selection and course management essential on the uphill and downhill holes. Ryegrass fairways and bent/poa greens keep conditions firm and quick, while the significant elevation swings, including a memorable switchback cart path between the 9th and 10th holes, mean carts are strongly recommended. Multiple tee options let players of varying abilities enjoy the challenge without losing the sense of adventure the terrain provides.

Know Before You Go

• Public daily-fee access; tee times can be booked online in advance.

• A golf cart is strongly recommended given the 200-plus feet of elevation change and hilly terrain.

• A practice driving range is available on site to warm up before your round.

• Pair your round with wine tasting and dining at the surrounding Wente Vineyards estate; located at 5040 Arroyo Rd, Livermore, CA.