It’s Time to Get Out There! Tasting in Southern California

I’m super excited that the world is slowly opening up and I know I’m not the only one based on the number of reservations I haven’t been able to get. One of the MWA Club Members asked if I’d provide some information on local/SoCal wineries which launched me into this series where for the next few months, I’ll highlight some wine tasting destinations. I’m starting with SoCal because so many of my readers are here, but also, I suspect many other readers may be headed this way. I like covering urbanesque wine tasting because it often means that you can enjoy the delight of tasting without having to commit a whole trip to it. We are lucky in that we have many options. Let me unpack some of those for you. You will likely need reservations and I expect hours will change on a regular basis, so check out the websites as you plan. 

In the Urban Sprawl 

Pali Anaheim, the LA Arts District, San Diego’s Little Italy- I love the Pali business model of urban tasting rooms selling the wine they make at their facility in Lompoc. On a recent visit up there, I ran into the winemaker, Aaron. I admire that guy because his boss is all about creativity, innovation and risk-taking, which allows Aaron to make a HUGE variety of wines: premium under the Pali label, value oriented under the Tower 15 label, tap wines, natural wines- so many wines!! If you like experimentation definitely visit one of these- I can guarantee you will taste a wine you hate, but many, many more that you will love. All tasting rooms have some kind of food and most will also allow you to bring in food from surrounding places to enjoy with your wine. I’m loving the Spanish tapas menu at the Anaheim location. Flights start at $20, but you can also get a glass and bottle. Anaheim is my local- it’s in the Packing House and a fun day would be to add on wine tasting in the old train car on the bottom floor of the Packing House, try beers from brewery across the hall or stop at Modern Times’ Leisure Town, just down the block. Super fun. 

The San Antonio Winery- Yes, you are reading that I recommend a visit to this winery. It’s been making wine in this location (737 Lamar Street, Downtown LA) for over 100 years. You may not know that the San Antonio winery created the Stella Rosa line of wines and you can get a flight of that here, in addition to more Stella Rosa bling than you can imagine. But, if you are into serious wines, they have that too. Try their San Simeon, Maddalena and Ribioli Family wines. Flights start at $18 and they have a restaurant at the LA location too. They have other tasting rooms in Paso and one right off the 60 in Ontario. Pair this up with the Pali Arts District and you have a great day of wine tasting. 

Water’s Edge Winery- I hesitate to include Water’s Edge on the list because the winery, is… let’s say, in development. I think it’s good for us wine snobs to get over ourselves and appreciate an accessible way to bring new folks to the world of wine. They have a great facility in Downtown Long Beach on Pine Ave, with happy hour, Sunday Brunch and a full menu. The food is good. MWA Wine Club member Jenn appreciated the mimosas at Sunday Brunch.

Malibu Wine Country 

Strange Family Vineyards- I have long been a fan of heading up to Malibu for wine tasting. Strange Family is relatively new to the show. Their home winery is in the Santa Rita Hills, one of my favorite Santa Barbara locales. MWA Wine Club members Don and Amy introduced me to their wine and they are excellent. It’s quite a treat to have that level of quality so close and it’s a bonus that they specialize in bubbles! Their tasting room is in the “Lumber Yard” complex, just off PCH.

Rosenthal- The Malibu Estate- Add this room to your Strange Family visit and you have another wonderful day of wine tasting. For the most part these wines are made from local Malibu grapes from their estate off Kanan Dume Road. Their tasting room is right on PCH, west of Topanga Canyon Road. It’s a party here. They have a huge yard/lawn, usually music on the weekends and daily food trucks. Flights start at $28, but they also have glasses and bottles. This place gets crowded, so plan accordingly. Right now, they are only open Wed.-Sun., but I expect that will change by summer. 

Malibu Family Winery- Unfortunately, their beautiful facility was heavily damaged in the 2019 fires and is not yet open. However, they have created a couple of cool experiences. They are doing Wine Walks, 4x4 Vineyard Adventures, and later this summer a VW Bus Tour. All include some tasting. Their wines are both made from local vineyards and from ones up the central coast. It’s something different and takes you way up into the Santa Monica mountains, feeling like you are on top of our world. 

Southern Orange County

Not all wineries are open yet, but I was able to find a few. I haven’t tried all of these, so be sure to shout on MWA Facebook if you go and like them. 

Laguna Canyon Winery- has been around for a long time, always in that same place with the car repair shop. They source their grapes from throughout California and make them here at the winery. $30 Flights. This is a great day paired with McCain Cellars and finishing with dinner in Malibu. 

McClain Cellars- Former techies, this family has taken a new lease on life with their winery based in Santa Barbara. Their Laguna Canyon (849) location offers those SB wines, snacks and more. Live music Thursday-Sunday. I haven’t been yet, but when I drove by this summer it was hopping. Several flights for $15-35, glasses and bottles are also available.

Bellante Family Winery- I remember going to this space when it was some other wine-oriented venue- the wine was pretty bad. The Bellante family has changed that. Paying homage to the family’s original real estate business (in case the sign looks familiar to you), this generation sources its grapes from the famous vineyards of Santa Barbara County. You’ll even find a Radian Pinot Noir on the wine list. Within the month, I’ll be picking up MWA Club Member Joanie to try it out. Stay tuned on MWA Facebook and Insta to see how that went.