These Tasting Rooms Are the Perfect Places to Wine Down

While Orange County isn’t exactly Napa Valley, that doesn’t mean you won’t find quality wine bars here. We’ve rounded up six wine bars throughout Costa Mesa and Newport Beach that deliver immaculate vibes, bites and bubbly. Whether you like your wine red or white, chilled and sparkling or blended into a frosé, you’re sure to fall head over heels for these intimate tasting rooms. So grab your drinking buddy (and a designated driver) and make your way through this list! Wine Bars Newport Beach

 

Milligram Coffee and Kitchen

@localemag You need to check this place out. 📍 Milligram Coffee + Kitchen on #17thstreet in #costamesa #localemagazine #newportbeach #ocfoodies #milligramcoffee ♬ So Much Happiness – Lux-Inspira

The moment you step into Milligram Coffee and Kitchen you’ll find a sleek, curated space designed for community connection. The owners sought out to blur the lines between restaurant and cafe and created Milligram Coffee and Kitchen to be just that. Here, you’ll find everything from handcrafted espresso drinks to light bites, beer and wine. While the menu features favorites like the Italian bruschetta, Mediterranean prosciutto salad and smoked ham panini, you’ll also find a large assortment of wines from New Zealand, Europe, Australia and California to complement your meal—no matter the hour. For breakfast, a crisp glass of French rosé pairs perfectly with their ricotta and pear toast. If you head there in the afternoon for some bites to tide you over till dinner, opt for a charcuterie board and a peach bellini. They specialize in spritzes, so be sure to try the Hugo Spritz: made with prosecco, elderflower liqueur, mint and lemon.

Location: Costa Mesa
Milligram Coffee and Kitchen

Wine Bars Newport Beach

Semi Tropic Wines

This boutique wine shop and bar specializes in natural wines, which you can get on tap here. After seeing how difficult it was to obtain living wines that were fermented traditionally, the founders set out to make natural wine more accessible for all. At Semi Tropic Wines, most of the wine served is free of additives and pesticides. Once you take a sip, you’ll understand natural wines aren’t just hype. They’ve also curated a special menu to pair their unique wines with, featuring dishes like duck breast prosciutto, midnight moon goat cheese and a smoked fish platter.

Local Insight: Don’t miss special events throughout the month, such as jazz night and food pop-ups.

Location: Costa Mesa

12/20

 

Hi-Lo Liquor Market

Forget Total Wine & More—there’s a new wine market in town. This novelty LA wine shop just opened at The Lab in Costa Mesa earlier this month, and they carry a selection of curated up-and-coming liquor brands, natural wines and delicious goodies. Hi-Lo stocks their market with their patrons in mind, so there’s something for the bargain shopper all the way to the top-shelf-only consumer. You can even request brands on their suggestion board! They host free liquor tastings and wine flights on select days, making it easy for you to sample and fall in love with something new. 

Location: Costa Mesa

4/12

 

Wine Lab

Wine Lab takes itself less seriously than the typical wine bar, donning kitschy decor like towers of lit up wine bottles and wine flights served in beakers. They have two sommeliers on staff that aim to make wine unpretentious and affordable. You can choose from over 120 wines to take home for $25 or less. They also have over 70 wines by the glass, so it’ll be easy to discover your new favorite vino here. They also offer artisan cheese platters, flatbreads and tapas to pair with your wine. Plus, you can’t go wrong with their brie and prosciutto flatbread.

Location: Costa Mesa

Wine Bars Newport Beach

BTL Wine Bar

Right upstairs from Sol Grill, one of Newport Beach’s best casual restaurants, is an eclectic wine bar that will make you feel right at home. After a dinner of lobster ravioli and fresh cioppino, head upstairs for a glass of bubbly and sunset views over the marina. While Sol Grill is more intimate and cozy, BTL Wine Bar is more happening and lively. They have live music on weekends and are dog- and family-friendly. Intentionally unpretentious, they offer affordable domestic and international wines as well as exceptional sangria. Psst—get a free glass of sangria with your Yelp check-in!

Location: Newport Beach 

3/23

 

Lido Tasting Room

This tasting room is where the vineyard meets the shipyard. It’s located right on Lido Peninsula and has a casual, marina-chic atmosphere. They only carry wines from one vineyard: the award-winning Bravante Vineyards in Napa Valley. Here, you’ll be able to get wine flights, tastings by the glass and small bites. Most days, tastings are by appointment only, but you can drop in on Friday and Saturday nights. They regularly host events like food and wine mashups, and you can even host your own event here. They can also accommodate folks in their cellar room, which makes for an epic wine-tasting experience.

Location: Newport Beach