North County Wine Bar Roundup

A guide to the most robust grapes in our coastal paradise

If you live anywhere between Encinitas and Oceanside, you have undoubtedly been hearing a growing buzz around the opening of many a chic wine bar. But if you live under a rock or have been locked-in on your hibernation, let me put you on. Wine bars are back, baby.

Wine bars once carved out a small but cozy fraction of our food and drink scene here in San Diego. Nearly a decade ago, urban wineries like Solterra and tasting rooms like Wine Steals held a captive audience among true wine aficionados. They remained busy, but accessible. But, for one reason or another, these establishments either declined or closed entirely, leaving wine-o’s very few restaurant options whose wine lists didn’t rely on limited (sic: basic) varietals like buttery oaky chards and blasé cabernets that rarely, if ever, complimented their cuisine.

Thankfully, the post-pandemic era led restaurants to expand their offerings to include more interesting grapes, and consumers to demand more natural, organic and biodynamic wines. More exotic grapes like Barolos and Vino Verdes started popping up more on menus, and orange wine began it’s big mainstream renaissance. While many still subscribed to the old “second cheapest on the menu” rule to curb incurring offensive tabs, the diversifying of wine lists - along with many other economic factors covered in great length here - led to an overall egregious increase in the cost of wines by the glass. Retail Therapy Podcast by Sunday Scaries called this out in one of their weekly newsletters last Spring and eventually put on their Out-List last Fall. It was then I started noticing just how widespread of a problem we had. Because who the hell can afford a $20 glass of wine in this economy?!

So here emerged a white space. How could wine lovers find great grapes at a reasonable price? Somewhere you didn’t have to commit to a full meal but could still sit for a while to drink at a slow pace. Insert the recent resurgence of wine bars; A business model reminiscent of Euro trips that had been left behind in less cosmopolitan parts of this country years ago. Perhaps the term ‘wine bar’ oversimplifies a more nuanced notion. Anyone’s own definition of a wine bar may vary, but here is how I look at it: A wine bar is an establishment that leads with their wine selection. They aren’t necessarily food-averse, but may not offer full entrees as a part of their repertoire. Patrons might be able to find something unique and special, but your average bear can also find something suitably familiar on the menu for a reasonable price. Most importantly - and regardless of whether food is or isn’t a part of the equation - the vibe tends to be much more laid-back and lounge-y than that of a restaurant. As Eric Asamov wrote for the NYT, “The focus [i]s on creating comfortable, welcoming environments, not seminars, whether you [are] there for 45 minutes or the rest of the night.” If you have spent a lot of time in English pubs or Spanish tapas bars, you know exactly what ambiance this refers to.

And so, for the past few years, the wine bar scene in San Diego has started popping off and making a real name for itself. And why not, with our health-and-wellness driven, it’s-always-five-o’clock-somewhere reputation? There are wine shops, tasting rooms and lush lounges galore peppering the coast from Solana Beach up to Oceanside. With so many options relative to years past, how does one that lives in North County choose where to enjoy their next glass of vino? This roundup should serve as a good starting point to your scavenger hunt. I am sure in another season, this list will be dated with all the scheduled openings of summer. But for now, here is a quick bit on my favorites ATM…

La Costa Wine - La Costa

This was the first wine bar I discovered post-pandemic because it happened to be located in the same parking lot as my nearest Lofty Coffee. Tucked away in the center on the corner of La Costa Ave. and El Camino Real, this little tasting room and wine shop has a wide selection of grape juice to please every palate. The folks that own and operate this place are knowledgable, approachable, and have created a warm and inviting atmosphere in a shopping center that desperately needed some vibes. They also offer a nice sampling of cheeses and meats so you can stay a while and enjoy the cozy vibes in this moody little corner pocket.

Little Victory - Encinitas

A few years ago, Little Victory opened to much praise from wine lovers. When I finally made it there, I instantly realized what all the hype was about. If I could BE a retail store, this would be the one. Gorgeous wines, fancy accoutrements, artisanal handmade home goods - this is more than just a typical wine shop. It truly is the perfect place to stop and pick something up for a host or hostess inviting you into their home to share a meal. I am looking forward to visiting their up and coming tasting room in downtown Carlsbad this year to sample more of their wonderful wines.

Carruth Cellars - Solana Beach, Carlsbad, Oceanside

The OG of wine bars by local standards, Carruth has truly become a force. They grow and produce their own wines, making it stand out among a backdrop of younger retail stores that source their goods from outside purveyors. Having grown their presence throughout the best parts of north county - as well as down south in Liberty Station - their flagship Solana Beach location is a notorious pre-show pit stop for Belly Up patrons, and regularly cycles in food pop ups to serve diverse clientele in their indoor/outdoor space. If you are looking to enjoy a nice sit outside to sip on a locally grown and produced grape, then any one of their north county locations is a must-visit. My personal favorite is the Carlsbad shop, located next door to the warm and cozy patio at Campfire.

Caves - Leucadia

The newest lil wine shop in Encinitas, Caves opened just a few months ago boasting an assortment of wines from all over the world. Caves is a trifecta for every type of wine lover - a shop to buy from, a bar to sip at, and a club that has a very reasonable membership fee. What started as a strictly online business has grown to a brick and mortar location that feels a lot more like an English pub than a typical urban tasting room. It is simple yet inviting, with handmade fixtures crafted by the owners and pinterest worthy details from the botanic wallpaper to the church pew style banquette that flanks the south side of the space.

Bueno - Oceanside

Another newer opening in the beloved Tremont Collective block, Bueno Wine & Goods is a no-frills place to get your natty wine fix. In the space previously occupied by event and charcuterie board curator Al Fresko, Bueno is the perfect place to grab a glass of tasty wine and light bites in coastal Oceanside. Featuring a sunny patio in the back adjacent to those of Bottlecraft, Shootz and Communal Coffee, this place is meant for maximum community enjoyment. It is one of the few places I have found that offers Txakoli, a slightly sparkly, extra dry white wine from the Basque region I have been hyper-fixated on for going on three years. They also have a small selection of premium wine and accoutrements to accompany your bottle purchase if you are taking home.

Merenda - Oceanside

If you are a wine lover living in north county, you have probably heard a lot of hype around this new hot spot. Merenda opened in October to rave reviews from Oceanside locals. Their selection features a swathe of European wines with a splash of California reds, and local ales and ciders to boot. While their food menu started off small, they have since introduced interesting new dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious. The aesthetic is undoubtedly the star of this place though, transporting patrons to somewhere lux and far away. At night, with the lights turned low and the buzzing sounds of full tables, one might be in San Sebastian or Melbourne.

Vino Disco Wine Club - Anywhere

For the bold and eccentric, adventurous and awesome, this is the coolest club for the wine-obsessed. Owned and operated by local Leucadia legend (and good friend) Erin Williams, Vino Disco Wine Club offers low-intervention, organic wines direct to members on a monthly basis. Her wealth of experience as a wine purveyor and many travels to the exotic regions where many of her best wines are produced has lent itself to unique and highly desirable four-packs that pair with a dope playlist every month. If you are keen to spend your Friday night throwing a record on and dancing around your kitchen while you cook, this is the club for you!