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Wineries in the Livermore Valley are welcoming spring in a familiar way this month. The annual Barrel Tasting Weekend, organized by the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association will be back next weekend highlighting some of the best…

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CalMatters is a Sacramento-based nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. It works with more than 130 media partners throughout the state that have long, deep relationships with their local audiences, including Embarcadero Media.

Jeremy Walsh is the editorial director of Embarcadero Media Foundation's East Bay Division, including the Pleasanton Weekly, LivermoreVine.com and DanvilleSanRamon.com. He joined the organization in late...