K'nB Wine Cellars in Del Cerro...

VESPER VINEYARDS has a new tasting room in Escondido...

GRAPE CONNECTIONS tasting room & wine shop

Bob Gelman has been in the wine business for 30 years. He etablished this cozy wine shop on Scott Street in Point Loma in 2000, stocking a sophisticated and well priced collection of wines from around the world, including San Deigo County. There are always some nice bottles open for tasting between noon and 6pm daily. On a recent visit we especially enjoyed a 2006 Diamond Terrace Napa Cab.

The tasting bar

Bob has recently become the exclusive U.S. importer and distributor of Domaine du Grand Crès estate wines from the Languedoc region of France. There's a steel tank-fermented Roussane/Viognier blend, a soft, delicate "Cuvee Classique" (Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault), a spicy, full-bodied "Cuvee Majeure" (Syrah, Grenache), and an easy drinking Cabernet Sauvignon. As is true of the other wines at Grape Connections, the Domaine du Grand Crès line offers excellent value for the price.

Loyal customer patiently await "Bob's Big Blowout Sale," with deeply discounted wines from about forty different producers, all available to taste before you buy.

Grape Connections is open Monday-Saturday 10am - 7pm.
1130 Scott Street, San Diego
619.523.6441

 

COUNTRY CELLARS tasting room and wine shop

There’s nothing close to Country Cellars in the city of San Diego: it's truly a one-stop shop for San Diego County wine and beer. Located on Highway 78 between Julian and Ramona, this place is a gem that attracts both locals and tourists. Owner Trez Gotfredson changes up the tasting menu every week, so there’s always something new to try, and even more to buy. Her current list includes five whites, sixteen reds, and eight dessert wines (and we didn’t even look at the beer!).  The shop stocks some cheeses and other picnic supplies as well.

Country Cellars has both monthly and quarterly wine clubs, with lots of options. The discount is at least 15%, plus free tasting and invitations to quarterly wine-appetizer pairings and other events.

Country Cellars is open for tasting and sales Wednesday-Sunday 11-5 and holiday Mondays 11-4. 760.765.0089

UNCORKED Wine Bar - Orange County

22342 El Paseo
Rancho Santa Margarita
949.589.1156

Bar Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday 4:30-9, Thursday 4:30-10, Friday-Saturday 4:30-11, Sunday noon-6. Happy Hour Tuesday-Friday 4:30-6:30.

We decided to branch out a bit and explore some wine venues in the OC (Orange County).  UnCorked is a wine shop and bar with an excellent selection of global wines, offering good value for price, regardless of whether you intend to spend $18 or $200 on a bottle. In the back there's a very friendly wine bar with a thoughtfully crafted list by the glass or in flights, plus a bit of food. We enjoyed tastes of Tobin James Chardonnay (Monterrey, CA), Mud House Pinot Noir (Central Otago, New Zealand), and Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz (Clare Valley, Australia). According to owner George Riviere, “If I don’t like it, I don’t buy it.” This straightforward philosophy seems to be working quite well.

AMAZING GRAPES Wine Bar - Orange County

Amazing Grapes

29911 Aventura Suites D, E and F
Rancho Santa Margarita

949.888.9007

Bar Hours: Monday-Tuesday 5-7, Wednesday-Saturday 5-10

Amazing Grapes is an expansive wine store with something for everybody, including a “wines under $10” section. There’s a tasting area with a bar and tables; the food menu accommodates guests who want to dine as well as those who just want a nibble with their wine. About fifteen wines are offered by the taste (2 oz.); selections change every two weeks. Or, choose a bottle from the store and enjoy it at the bar with no corkage fee. There are $10 flights on Wednesdays and winery tastings on Thursdays.

THIRD CORNER WINE SHOP AND BISTRO

Ocean Beach, 2265 Bacon (from Sunset Cliffs, turn right on Voltaire and just follow the road)

Closed Mondays

This place meets our wine bar criteria even though the wine-by-the-glass menu, though adequate and very affordable, is not something we’d detour for. The tiny (full) bar is a mellow local hang, but serious wine drinkers should browse the well curated collection of over 1000 bottles. Give a few clues about what you like and someone will help you navigate. Stay for appetizers or a meal; the food is good and corkage is only $5. Or just shop. A recent foray in search of Santa Barbara whites yielded an impressive array of choices.