We're open for tastings on weekends, so come on out! We'll be offering flights on Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations can be made for any time on Saturdays and Sundays between 11:30 am and 4:30 pm (last seating starts at 3:30pm). Reservations are recommended but not required. Not ready to do a tasting? No problem! You can pick up wine during our Tasting Room hours. Please visit our shopping cart or give us a call at (925) 449-1976 ahead of time to place your order.
Services
John Evan is one of Livermore Valley's youngest winemakers. With the original Big White House operation taking place at his childhood home, John Evan has been involved from the winery's earliest roots. He began making wine in a professional capacity in 1998. The following year he produced his first masterpiece - A Tuscan-style Sangiovese from Richard Ripken's exclusive clone.
We're a Livermore Winery, about 40 miles east of San Francisco. We specialize in handcrafted, small-lot, luxury wines of rare quality with an emphasis on Rhone-type varieties. We host two labels at our winery - Big White House and our premium label, John Evan Cellars. We don't do manicured lawns and fountains.
We'll be offering flights on Saturdays and Sundays. Each reservation is 60 minutes and you have the option of adding a yummy cheese box to enjoy! Reservations can be made for any time on Saturdays and Sundays between 11:30 am and 4:30 pm (last seating starts at 3:30pm). Each tasting fee will be credited with a one bottle purchase (excluding sparkling) at the time of your reservation.
Sourced from the tiny Davis-King Monopole vineyard in Livermore, this head-pruned, 1-acre vineyard produces just a few barrels every year of super-concentrated Petite Sirah. By joining the allocation list we automatically reserve a case for you every year and you agree to purchase it. Allocation is not a club but is like an automatic, annual futures purchase on this extremely limited wine.
Laura Marion is our winemaker's sister and a very talented artist in the more traditional sense of the term, generally with oil on canvas. Her work is displayed throughout our tasting room as well as on our wine labels, making our wine both delicious and beautiful. Though you'll find her visiting the winery, Laura is a musician, artist and actor based in Los Angeles.
Reviews (23)
Joann Wu
Jan 07, 2022
Report
Bob U.
Nov 12, 2021
Report
Kristine L.
Oct 11, 2021
Report
I really enjoyed my visit here this past Saturday. The server was super friendly and my husband and I really enjoyed the wine and relaxing atmosphere. My favorite I've tasted on this visit was the Das Risiko Syrah and Tannat Riesling. We are also very appreciative of how kid friendly this place is. There was a Dino hunt for the kids and they even gave them organic fruit juice, fruit gummies, and a coloring page with crayons. I absolutely appreciated that and so did my kids! They even told me that next time, I can bring my dogs as well. So they're both kid and dog friendly!! We'll
Michael C.
Jul 01, 2021
Report
I came here in a group of 8 people, we were seated on the far right bench (recently painted as it was sticky) by the restrooms. Away from everybody.
The server was nice, educated us about the wine we were drinking and spent too much time talkin about the damn label art. I did end up buying a bottle of wine, this was my 2nd winery of the day, first time in the Livermore area.
They have to stop serving the tasting in those laboratory beakers!
The server was nice, educated us about the wine we were drinking and spent too much time talkin about the damn label art. I did end up buying a bottle of wine, this was my 2nd winery of the day, first time in the Livermore area.
They have to stop serving the tasting in those laboratory beakers!
Jeff Hubert
Mar 27, 2021
Report
K. H.
Oct 20, 2020
Report
We had an expiring Groupon and gave it a try (going out for wine tasting, given Covid circumstances). The winery was well organized (including 2 daily seating times). Unfortunately, we couldn't make our original time. I spoke with Jessie and they were to accommodate us for a later seating. The three ladies we interacted with were incredibly courteous, everyone worse masks, and they frequently used sanitizing stations. The wine was good and we had a blast.
Iris Powell
Oct 01, 2020
Report
John Evans is a very kind and generous wine maker who cares about his excellent coworkers, resource partners, customers, and his craft.
Raise a glass to all those who appreciates the long and laborious journey (from sunlight, administered moisture and curated vines) to create wine to delight us in consumption.
Raise a glass to all those who appreciates the long and laborious journey (from sunlight, administered moisture and curated vines) to create wine to delight us in consumption.
Judith Homann
Sep 22, 2020
Report
The Taylor Family Foundation T.
Apr 15, 2020
Report
Peche Mignon Peach Sparkling Wine...need we say more?! Try it when you visit and we promise you won't be disappointed. Also make sure to check out the beautiful artwork lining the walls, which happen to be the labels of their wine bottles (they are created by a family member)! Quite a wonderful spot for a weekend afternoon wine tasting, a return visit for a favorite wine, and a super friendly environment. Thank you for your generous service to our community.
Marie S.
Sep 16, 2019
Report
Ena J.
Sep 01, 2019
Report
Jenny Sommer
Aug 07, 2019
Report
P. S.
Feb 05, 2019
Report
Justin H.
Dec 24, 2018
Report
Came here on Saturday with a few friends to do a tasting flight. We were immediately welcomed by the staff who were all very friendly and welcoming. They gave us a brief history on the winery and told us that the paintings hanging on the wall, as well as the wine bottle labels were all created by a family member. Big White House had a great small family winery feel to it. The owners, John and Christina were actually behind the bar chatting with us and other patrons. It was really cool to hear how John creates all the wines. The Cuvée was amazing, but the Sangiovese was absolutely out of this world
Katherine G.
Jul 02, 2018
Report
When I think back to all the wineries I've been to and where I'd most like to become a member, this one is the first I think of!
The proprietor and winetenders are down-to-earth, informative and friendly. I told one of the winetenders that I was young and "recently off Barefoot," and she didn't judge! Bless.
Really nice outdoor seating areas as well. It does get hot in Livermore Valley.
The wine bottles feature art that's done by the owner's friend or family member. Much more interesting than most wine labels!
The proprietor and winetenders are down-to-earth, informative and friendly. I told one of the winetenders that I was young and "recently off Barefoot," and she didn't judge! Bless.
Really nice outdoor seating areas as well. It does get hot in Livermore Valley.
The wine bottles feature art that's done by the owner's friend or family member. Much more interesting than most wine labels!
Evette S.
Jun 25, 2018
Report
Marie W.
Nov 07, 2016
Report
We are definitely a fan of the Big White House / John Evans Winery... in fact, my husband and I are members, and have been for the last couple of years.
Everyone is super friendly, the events are a lot of fun, they have beautiful artwork on display, and they are quite generous with their pours at the tasting events. Do give them a try if you're ever in the area.... their cabernet is a favorite of ours.
Everyone is super friendly, the events are a lot of fun, they have beautiful artwork on display, and they are quite generous with their pours at the tasting events. Do give them a try if you're ever in the area.... their cabernet is a favorite of ours.
Dena P.
Sep 25, 2016
Report
Big white house was our first stop today on our wine tasting adventure, and honestly I wish it was our last. We had such a wonderful time here, and Gynna and Shea kept us cracking up the whole time. The wine was delicious, we bought the Zinfandel and the vignoir. We will definitely be back in the future. The ladies explained in great detail about the wines and what to pair them with. We loved this place!!!
Daoist
Jul 07, 2016
Report
My first impression walking in was how neat it was that they have a whole bunch of paintings on the walls. Turns out most (or all?) of the paintings are done by the owner's sister. It's nice that the family sticks together and it gives the vineyard a nice small town family feel.
The staff here were very friendly and we had a nice long conversation with a young woman there which is enjoyable. At some places the staff seem to feel pressured to rush or make a sale but this place felt much more relaxed and comfortable. I even witnessed the woman we had been chatting with encourage an older couple
The staff here were very friendly and we had a nice long conversation with a young woman there which is enjoyable. At some places the staff seem to feel pressured to rush or make a sale but this place felt much more relaxed and comfortable. I even witnessed the woman we had been chatting with encourage an older couple
Chris L.
Jul 02, 2016
Report
Ayla D.
Aug 26, 2015
Report
My husband and I recently moved to Livermore and although we have been to the area for wine tasting before, we had only ventured out to the big named wineries. But you can find those wines at Costco and Safeway! We were on the hunt for a small family owned winery that we could be proud to be wine club members at. We've never been wine club members before, but we want to support a local Livermore winery.
I liked BWH as soon as I read the description on the Livermore Valley Wine website. The "informal" and "intimate" experience was what attracted me. We went to a couple
I liked BWH as soon as I read the description on the Livermore Valley Wine website. The "informal" and "intimate" experience was what attracted me. We went to a couple
Emmalouise B.
Aug 12, 2014
Report
Ironically neither big nor white, it's actually pretty small and very welcoming with a great selection of Wines. This was stop number 8 or 9 on our tour (yes, I lost count after about 6!) and had a great time with my girlfriend. The fee is $5 for tasting of roughly 8 Wines if I recall correctly. A lot of those Wines were straight from the barrel and I really enjoyed that in the middle of the room they had a table set up where you can play a game of ''Guess the Wine'' based on a list of it's properties. My senses must be heightened after a few drinks because I somehow
Paul Volk
Nov 25, 2012
Report
I wasn't all that impressed with their wines except the Peach Sparkling Wine. I'm not a sweet or sparkling wine person but it was so great with very subtle peach flavor. Awesome staff that suggested a bunch of wineries to visit while in Livermore. Very cool and unique art in the tasting room and labels. $5 tasting fee when I went.