Greek soul meets Livermore Valley vines
Downtown Livermore · Livermore · Greek & Mediterranean · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 11, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Demitri's Taverna’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Demitri's, the wine list doesn't try to be something it's not — it's a tight, purposeful card that leans into its Greek roots while giving a nod to the Livermore Valley right out front. It's not long, but it has a point of view, and that counts for something in a downtown strip full of lists that could belong to any restaurant, anywhere.
The list splits its attention between Greek imports and local Livermore producers, which is a smarter move than it sounds — Livermore Valley is underrated wine country, and this place actually leans into that identity. The Lazaridi Amethystos red is the most specific anchor on the Greek side, a Macedonian blend that earns its place on a menu built around braised meats and olive oil. The partnership with Almost Famous Wines — a local winery that co-won Judges' Best Pairing Overall with Demitri's — shows somebody here is paying attention to what goes on the table. The list won't blow a serious collector away, but it's curated around the food, which is more than most casual tavernas bother to do.
Six to ten pours by the glass gives you enough to navigate dinner without committing to a bottle, which is the right call for a casual patio meal. Greek wine makes an appearance as a glass option, giving you a chance to stay in-theme without hunting down a bottle. Rotation doesn't appear to be aggressive, but the core pours hold steady.
Almost Famous Wines (house pour) — ~$12–$14
Drinking local Livermore Valley wine at a Greek taverna that literally won a best pairing award with this producer is exactly the kind of insider move that makes a meal feel complete. Local provenance, fair pour price, and real credibility behind it.
Lazaridi Amethystos Red
Most people ordering the Bekri Makaronada won't notice this Macedonian red is what's already in the braise — ordering a glass of it alongside the dish is one of those rare moments where the kitchen and the wine list are actually talking to each other.
Ouzo Flight
Five different ouzos is a fun novelty, but if you're here to drink wine, don't let this pull focus — it's a distraction from a list that actually has some decent bottles worth your attention and your money.
Lazaridi Amethystos Red + Bekri Makaronada
The Amethystos is literally cooked into this braised pasta dish, so drinking it alongside is less a pairing choice and more just finishing the chef's thought. Dark fruit, Mediterranean herbs, enough structure to hold up to the richness — it works because it was always meant to.
The Bottom Line
Demitri's isn't a destination wine bar, but it's doing something genuine — pairing Greek imports with award-winning local Livermore producers in a setting that actually makes the wine feel connected to what's on your plate. Send a friend here if they think Livermore is just suburban sprawl; the wine list will surprise them.
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Almost Famous is a genuinely local wine lounge with a genuinely short list, and that's not a criticism — it's a commitment. If you live in the Livermore Valley and want to drink local without a lot of fuss, this is your spot. The pricing is honest, the wines are real, and the Cab Franc alone is worth a visit.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Livermore · Cocktail Bar / Small Plates
Le Nocturne is a genuinely fun room with a French menu that deserves a better wine list than what the concept seems to prioritize — the atmosphere earns it Wild Card status because the potential is real, but until the wine program matches the culinary ambition, order a cocktail and come back when they figure it out. If you're going for wine, go informed and go with a bottle.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Rebel Kitchen's wine list doesn't rebel against anything — it's eleven safe bottles with steep markups in a region that's literally surrounded by wineries. Order a cocktail, which is clearly what they actually care about.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Black Cat is a Wild Card in the best way: it's a buzzy cocktail bar that actually thought about its wine program, sits in genuine wine country, and throws in a no-corkage Thursday deal that most full wine bars would never offer. We'd send a friend here — and we'd tell them to bring a bottle from down the road.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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