San Diego isn’t just about tequilas and tacos; there’s also a thriving wine culture. There are plenty of wine tasting events San Diego. It’s one of the fun things to do in San Diego! There’s nothing better than a glass of delicious wine to celebrate a long day at the office, a night out with your girls or a romantic evening with someone special. As wine enthusiasts of the wine bars in San Diego, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to wine and unwind in San Diego. We hope you can sit back, relax, and enjoy five sips of heaven! 

SIP #1: PALI WINE CO.

Photo courtesy of Eater San Diego

Pali Wine Co. is an urban winery in the heart of Little Italy with beautiful indoor/outdoor seating. The wines are sourced from the Santa Rita Hills area in California to create their critically acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and some to-die-for bites! Another location is slated to open in Hillcrest in late 2023. Fun fact: Pali Wine Co. is one of the stops on our Little Italy wine tasting tour! They have an extensive wine list that includes chardonnay, pinot noir, various red and white wines and seasonal tap wine. 

• Location: 2130 India Street, San Diego, CA, 92101
• Price range: $$
• Signature drinks and food: The Pali Wine Co. brand produces premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sourced primarily from vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills and neighboring wine-growing regions. 
• Special promo: Become a club member for over 20% off all club allocations and wine purchases at all Pali outposts and our online store, first access to newly released wines, exclusive access to events and specials, complimentary tastings and free shipping on orders over $178!
• Happy hour: Plenty of wine bar events in San Diego here! Weekdays from 4-6 PM; Wine & Cheese Night: Tuesdays at 7 PM; Jazz Brunch: Saturdays from 10-2 PM. *reservations encouraged.

SIP #2: VIN DE SYRAH

Photo courtesy of Jorgphoto.com

Slip into a completely different world as you sip on a wide selection of wines, craft beers, and craft cocktails. Vin de Syrah, an old-school speakeasy styled after Alice in Wonderland, is one of the best wine bars in San Diego because of its mysterious aura, complete with a hidden entrance and delicious charcuterie boards and macaroon desserts! 

• Location: 901 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
• Price range: $$
• Signature drinks and food: One of their iconic wines is the Delas Syrah Blend, which includes hints of coffee beans, nutmeg, new leather, and fresh blueberry flavors to neutralize the acidity.
• Happy hours and events: Tuesdays: $9 menu; Wednesdays: Tarot readings 7-10 PM; Thursdays: DJ @ 9 PM to close; Fridays: Burlesque at 9:15 PM; Saturdays: Illusionist from 7-9 PM and DJ starting at 9:30 PM. Sundays: Sunday Socie-tea from 5:30-9:30 PM and Live Music @ 6-9 PM

SIP #3: VINO CARTA

Photo courtesy of Edible San Diego

At both Vino Carta locations in Little Italy and Solana Beach,  you can sample quality, hidden gem wines from family-run farms that are passionate about organic and sustainable practices. Buy a bottle or a glass of great wine, and hang out with some friends and some games; bring your own food and take in the old-world vibes and music. At the Solana Beach location, you can enjoy delicious cuisine sourced with local ingredients created by Chefs Elliott and Kelly of Long Story Short. This is a must-stop for every wine lover and foodie near and far! 

• Locations: Little Italy — 2161 India St, San Diego, CA 92101; Solana Beach — 437 S Coast Hwy 101, Solana Beach, CA 92075
• Price range: $$
• Special: The Vino Carta Wine Club offers a curated selection of two fantastic bottles of great wine every month, available for pickup or delivery. Each edition will carry a certain theme, such as a common grape or wines good for cheese pairings.
• Happy hours and events: Sunday Wine School — visit both locations every Sunday for a selection of 5 wines for $25 from 12-5 PM. (This is one of the best wine tasting events in San Diego, in our humble opinion!)

Book A Tour

SIP #4: THE ROSE WINE BAR

Photo courtesy of The Rose Wine Bar

As coined by the hit TV show, The Bachelor, we will definitely accept this rosé! This wine shop is a San Diegan favorite. In fact, the Rose Wine Bar was just voted Critics’ Pick in San Diego Magazine’s annual list of the top restaurants in San Diego. With this recent accolade, it goes without saying this is truly one of the best wine bars in San Diego. The Rose wine shop, a staple in South Park for over a decade. It is known for its championing of natural wine styles from the West Coast and Europe — wines that are made small-scale and with sustainability in mind, organic, and biodynamic with a minimal, if any, amount of added yeast or sulfites. 

• Locations: 2219 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104
• Price range: $$
• Signature Drinks: Feeling bubbly? Try the Muscaret Brute Nature. For a white: try a smooth-tasting glass of the Marsanne ‘16 white wine. Red lovers: try sipping on Schiava ‘20 from Italy! And, say ‘yes way, rose’ to a glass of Dolcetto/Barbera from Flora & Fauna in Idlewild, CA.
• Happy hour and events: On select Mondays, join The Rose for their Wine Club Release Partayyy.

SIP #5: NEXT DOOR CRAFT BEER & WINE BAR

The perfect place to bring wine, beer and spirits people! Next Door, located on El Cajon Blvd., is locally owned and offers a diverse selection of fine red wines, white wines and blends, along with local and imported craft beers. Enjoy a slew of foods on their small platesmenu at weekly events or enjoy a nice San Diego night on their patio. They have the makings to be considered one of the best wine bars in San Diego.  

• Locations: 7235 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115
• Price range: $$
• Signature Eats: meat and cheese board, flatbreads, and a selection of gourmet sandwiches.
• Signature Drinks: White wine: Albarino Ofillo Da Contesa from Spain; Red wine: Pinot Noir Macedon from Macedonia, Greece; Rose: Huber from Austria.
• Events: Best in Belly Dancing: second Tuesday of each month; Karaoke Night: every Saturday; Trivia Night: hosted every Tuesday at 7 PM.

We hope you will check out some of these amazing places for the best wine tasting events in San Diego, including some exceptional San Diego wineries. And, if you’ll have us, we can be your Sommelier to all things vino in San Diego. Learn more about our wine tasting tour in Little Italy!

If wine isn’t on your mind tonight, there are plenty of restaurants in Gaslamp Quarter or Old Town San Diego to unwind. 

Looking for the best craft beers and pub grub? Drop by the famous sports bars in downtown San Diego for quality IPAs and wings. But for the best tacos and tequila San Diego, head to the Gaslamp Quarter for live music and premium tequila tastings.