Los Angeles, California. Boy oh boy do I love this city. On the western seaboard of the United States is a sunny, trendy and delicious destination. You’ve probably been, but if you haven’t it is a wonderful and packed place to go. The “industry” here in Los Angeles is the entertainment industry. But the wine ‘industry’ is also prominent. Wine is mostly consumed here in Los Angeles, but if you can believe it, vineyards are popping up all around town. Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Malibu and more have started planting and bottling wine from households backyards or massive estates.

But today let’s talk wine bars. YES. YUM. Heaven is a place on earth at a good wine bar. Typically wine bars only serve… wine. So don’t expect a vodka cran. If you are expecting to have an easy time choosing one off your google maps, think again, there are a lot to choose from. I’ve ‘tasted and traveled’ (using the bio for something) through Los Angeles to map out the best wine bars and tasting rooms in the LA county and not in any particular order. Enjoy!!

• Bar Covell

Los Feliz, CA

Mood lighting, NO wine list, beer on tap to drag along your friends who aren’t vinos (YET). The bartenders are educated on the wines carried at Bar Covell. They take your preferences and connect you to the wines they think will be right up your alley. Trying new wines is the key to keeping this industry growing and experimenting. You can order your classic Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon, but these bartenders can also lead you in a direction to try a different producers or varietal. You are expanding your palette and getting a brief education on the wines you are drinking. 

http://www.barcovell.com

• Rosenthal Tasting Room & Patio

Malibu, CA

Maybe I am slightly obsessed because I work here. But hear me out. This might be one of the best outdoor wine venues in the greater Los Angeles area. Right off PCH, across the street from Topanga beach, live music on the weekends and wine flights? One of their labels is 100% grown in Malibu (yes, you can grow grapes in Malibu and YES it’s good!). Food trucks on the weekend, live bands and endless wine create an atmosphere that is difficult to leave!

https://rosenthalestatewines.com/

• SIP Malibu Grapes

Malibu, CA

Still in Malibu, SIP will be located through the canyon. This rustic and eclectic tasting room also offers wine flights, tastings and an outdoor space that they call “the backyard,” which truly feels like a comfortable backyard of a home. A different vibe for this place, relaxing and quiet as it is off the beaten path of Pacific Coast Highway. This tasting room has a selection of Malibu boutique vineyards and is not only limited to just one label. The perfect place for a wine tasting tour through Malibu canyons.

http://www.sipmalibugrapes.com/

• Augustine Wine Bar

Sherman Oaks, CA

The valley. The valley has seeded quite possibly one of the chicest and most inviting wine bars in Los Angeles. But what do you know, the owner and genius behind Bar Covell (see above) he also happens to be the owner of this magical venue. This endeavor also happened to be with Matthew Kaner, Matthew is a spectacular sommelier and the president of Will Travel for Wine, INC. With this wine bar, these involved, creative and wine centric owners created an atmosphere that is unmatched. From Australia to Napa and around the world in 80 days, this wine list has the best of the best. Another plus: a mouth watering food menu, think ragu, charcuterie and cauliflower CHEDDAR soup. Wow is right.

I could go on and on with a list of wine bars in the Los Angeles area, and I plan to. But here is a part 1 of my LA LA Land wine bar debut. Follow along and stay updated with new posts about these dreamsicle businesses in Los Angeles.

What is your favorite wine bar in LA?