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    Koi Zen Cellars

    4.8 (174 reviews)
    Closed 3:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Glasses of wine - White

    The Staff is super nice and knowledgeable. The wine was amazing. We bought 4 bottles to go.

    Koi Zen Cellars owners, Lisa and Darius
    MJ C.

    Koi Zen Cellars is a hidden gem in a business park in Carmel Mountian Ranch, located in San Diego's North County. Once you walk thru the doors you are transferred to a warm and welcoming place where people gather to drink a variety of award winning wines. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, as are the customers. Many friendships have been formed over a glass or 2 of wine. On weekends you can listen to live music or maybe catch a game of Trivia. You also maybe catch a Bingo game during the week or a fundraiser going on. Koi Zen Cellars is a great place to hang out with friends or even hold a private event with more of your friends or associates.

    Jason N.

    Service is great, friendly. They make their own wines here, been open 10 years, and a hidden gem in the RB area. Relaxing environment , and space can be reserved for book club and such. They also have club memberships for wine bottles and tastings. Wines are tasty and prices reasonable for small batch production. Really enjoyed their 2019 Petit Petite and 2022 Barbera. And enjoyed each story behind how they came up with the names for the some of the wines.

    Bianca A.

    When I'm in the mood for a quiet moment to read my book with a nice Port or Bubbly and a little nook/space to hide, Koi Zen Cellars is my favorite spot. Or perhaps to hang out with a friend to "catch-up" on our lives with snacks (yes you can bring snacks). Sure it's located in a business park, but that's it's secret charm. The owner Lisa & Winemaker Darius are the most gracious hostess and if you ask for a "tour" of the winery - they will gladly show you around.

    Wonderful friends having some Christmas cheers!

    Last year I purchased a 12 days certificate, I used it for 12 of my friends, Lisa always welcomes us and had everything set up for my friends. We had such a great Christmas happy hour. The wine was great and we will be back, Darius stopped in to check on us as well! Love them both!

    Petit Petit
    Sena Y.

    An amazing local wine cellar! Service was amazing and it is so relaxing inside. We stopped in one afternoon and it was such an amazing experience. Truly a new favorite of mine in the area, cannot recommend it enough.

    Brandi P.

    Koi Zen is a great little escape from reality. We stopped by on our way Wednesday to the grocery store to pick up some last minute items for Thanksgiving dinner. It was so crowded everywhere it was nice to sit, chat and enjoy a glass of Cab and some chocolate. Koi Zen has various activities throughout the year (upcoming shopping for small business Saturday and a ceramic wreath making class on Sunday). The location is great, small business area but very peaceful and tranquil when you walk inside. The staff is always so welcoming and nice and their wines are great (I am more of a red person but their others are tasty as well). They sell little snacks like chocolates that were really good and have different wine themed gifts if you want to enjoy a glass while doing some light shopping. Great place, well worth checking out!

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    7 months ago

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    25 days ago

    Best urban winery in San Diego! The wine is excellent especially their selection of bold reds. The also offer a packed event schedule.

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    4 months ago

    The wine is superb. Koi is such a wonderful feel kind of place. I brought family members who had never been. They loved the place.

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    9 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    10 months ago

    Great wine, great atmosphere. Staff and owners fabulous. Live music Friday and Saturday nights and trivia once a month. Fun place!

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    Darius M.

    Thanks. Hope to see you soon.

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    1 year ago

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    Darius M.

    Thank you for your special comment. We greatly appreciate it and you.

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    11 months ago

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    We are excited too. Thank you for all your support. Cheers!

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    2 years ago

    Wonderful place. Wine is very good. Good place to relax after work and enjoy an excellent glass of wine.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Koi Zen Cellars

    Do they have food available during events?

    HI BOnnie, We have prepackaged cheeses to select from and then we add dried fruit, nuts, honey, jam, chocolate, crackers and breadsticks. You are also welcome to bring in your own food at this time too.… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Koi Zen Cellars

    Lisa and Darius are great hosts at this urban winery which we visit every other week on our trip to Costco.

    Mentioned in 19 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Bernardo Winery

    4.3(974 reviews)
    3.5 miRancho Bernardo
    $$
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    This place is fantastic! Whether you want to come for a date, with friends, or family - I think…read morethis place is great for all. I love the feeling of unwinding and I don't feel rushed. I'm glad this place gives me the space to do that. I want to go back to try different dishes and wines, browse the shops, and save room for dessert! Perhaps I will come on a Friday since they have a farmer's market that day from 9am-1 pm! I had a date night and went on a Saturday, 2 hours before closing. We ordered Calabrese Pizza, Apple & Gorgonzola Pizza, Parmesan Fries, and Rigatoni & Vodka Sauce Pasta. My goodness, everything was GOOD! The Apple & Gorgonzola Pizza was my favorite, pure perfection of flavors. I know there's always a debate with pineapple on pizza but this apple and gorgonzola makes sense, I don't think anyone would ever question it. The parmesan fries was so yummy as well, you get a HEFTY amount. We actually didn't finish a good amount and took this home along with a few slices of pizza. Pasta was delicious as well, there was leftover pasta sauce that we just scooped up with the crust of the pizza. The ambience - amazing and beautiful. It is pretty spread out. I've only been here a couple times but I was able to find a table both times aside from the good amount of people the times I've came. We sat inside the tasting room and the food came out promptly. I do love that on hot days they will turn their misters on, great touch Way to keep us cool! We decided to do the Traditional Wine Tasting where you get six 1.5 oz pours of your choice for $32. Also, you can get free chocolate to pair with your wine at the dessert shop. Delicious, everything I ordered was what I needed. Everyone here just seems incredibly nice. From the people who took your order at the Kitchen, food runners, pourers, even the lady at the dessert shop (even though we didn't get any dessert lol) was friendly. We wanted to get dessert, but we had 15 minutes left till closing, however she didn't rush us out the outside area. I saw that there was a sugar free pistachio gelato flavor. I love that, seems like it was a hit because it was nearly all out! Next time I do go, I definitely want to try that and their cannolis!!! I love Cannolis. Anyways, back to the wine tasting, I believe her name is Cecilia (?), She was great. Great service along with the other pourer at the counter. I did not catch her name but she has blonde short hair and was very nice and friendly as well! Overall, 10/10, & I will be back very soon.

    Taste: 4 Value: 4…read moreService: 5 Been here multiple times. Great place to eat, wine taste or host an event. Wine is good for a local winery. Prices are reasonable. Service is always responsive and helpful. They regularly have events or markets on the weekend, so check out their website for the latest details!

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    Castelli & Pizarro Coffee Shop - Sunny days outside on the patio at Castelli & Pizarro Wine - Espresso

    Castelli & Pizarro Coffee Shop

    4.8(52 reviews)
    5.1 mi

    This Is after my second visit that I have decided to give a review. I came back a second time…read morebecause I actually like this place! It's a nice spot to just chill and enjoy some good coffee. My bf and I had a long coffee date here. I'll definitely have to come back for the wine and food truck. They have a lot of seats outdoors and it is well shaded. I love that its surrounded by housing. I've seen locals come and go and make conversations with the wonderful barista who I believe is named Raffi (& if it is not, oopsies)! Oh how nice it is to live in the neighborhood and have this place just walking distance from them. I am jealous for sure. I've only seen two other employees and they're all just so sweet. Anyways, I usually get a regular iced latte at cafes, which I had here the first time. Not bad, but one should definitely try their specialty coffees! My bf orders the tiramisu iced latte. Yum yum yum. And this last time I decided to try their iced strawberry matcha. I drank it up really quick, it was delicious. What I also love about this place is that is super dog friendly. I brought my two fur babies and Raffi was so sweet and asked if they would like a pup cup. I also tried this jalapeno cheese croissant with slices of turkey inside. It was so good! I know they don't make it in house LOL but still worth a mention, perfect to go with your coffee But yes, I will have to come back and try the wines & food !!!

    This wine bar and coffee shop is an outlet of the CPF winery where locals and visitors can enjoy…read morewine tastings, espresso drinks, baked goods and snacks. They have a lovely wine bar staffed with welcoming baristas and a lovely outdoor patio, and are situated in a little suburban neighborhood just off the 56 at Camino del Sur. I stopped by to pick up a few baked goods to take home. The barista was very pleasant and informative. She told me that the baked goods were from O'Brien's, that they have live music most weekends, and sometimes host food vendors to offer patrons their wares. We tried a chocolate croissant--crispyand delicious, a 4 after rewarming at home, banana walnut muffin--3, chocolate espresso scone--3. There's a happy hour W-F featuring 50% off bottles of wine and $2 of glasses. Check their online menu because it changes daily. Extra points, both for being a wine bar and for being the first (and only) to open shop in this little neighborhood. I wish we had one in ours, but CPF is convenient enough that we'll be back several times. Service--4 Wine selection--5 Baked goods--3.5 Ambience--4

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    Poffertjes (Dutch pancakes)

    Castelli & Pizarro Coffee Shop - Empanadas from Milonga Empanadas

    Empanadas from Milonga Empanadas

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    Domaine Artefact Vineyard & Winery - Petit Sirah glass

    Domaine Artefact Vineyard & Winery

    4.7(233 reviews)
    6.9 mi
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    I've visited Domaine Artefact several times now, and every experience has been consistently…read moreoutstanding. The wines are exceptional, the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and welcoming, and the atmosphere is genuinely family-friendly. The property itself is absolutely stunning, making it the perfect place to spend an afternoon. I also love that they have a café, a pizza vendor, and live music, all of which elevate the overall experience and create a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. One of my favorite wines is the La Dame Blanche, a beautiful Grenache Blanc with notes of citrus, white peach, and toasted almonds. It's crisp, refreshing, and incredibly well-balanced. Domaine Artefact has quickly become one of my go-to wineries. Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or just looking for a beautiful place to unwind with friends and family, I highly recommend paying them a visit.

    We had such a good time here for movie night! Bob was a delight. We knew we wanted a bottle to…read moreshare between the two of us for the movie, and after asking us a few questions, he picked the perfect one. We were sold immediately! We watched Under the Tuscan Sun and it gave us all the feels. We will definitely be back to do a proper tasting and check out the estate and cafe once it's fully open. Pro-Tip: They have a pizza vendor on site, but they ran out by the time we got there at 6:00 PM. Definitely get there earlier and order sooner rather than later!

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    Movie night- Hocus Pocus

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    Orfila Vineyards & Winery - Wine and good views= Relax time

    Orfila Vineyards & Winery

    3.9(889 reviews)
    6.0 mi
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    Nice winery with beautiful views. Walking in, we stood in…read moreline to be helped at the main bar/counter to order our wine and flights. Being our first time here, we did feel pressure that we needed to know what we wanted before it was our turn. Luckily, Brooke helped us and she was very friendly and helpful. We chose a mixed flight as well as a frozen sangria and frozen pinot (grigio?). We loved the wines what Brooke recommended and the frozen ones were seriously the best and perfect for the hot weather. Though there were some indoor seating, we opted for outdoor. There were plenty of seating outdoors. We sat under a vine covered pergola and enjoyed the mountain views. There were even a couple of vendors selling various items and a food truck (Almafi Cucina Italiana) on the premises. Inside, other beverages like soda, Gatorade, water, meats & cheese packs were available for purchase. It was a good visit and we'll definitely be back.

    Beautiful Winery -- Just Wish We'd Had a Better Welcome…read more I really wish I could give Orfila Vineyards & Winery five stars because once we got settled, we absolutely loved the atmosphere. Unfortunately, our first impression wasn't the best. When we arrived, we weren't given even a brief explanation of how the tastings worked or what our options were. The young woman basically told us to pick a flight and asked what we wanted to do. I was interested in creating my own flight and asked what the difference was between the options, but instead of explaining it, she seemed to brush off the question. I finally had to say, "You're not helping me at all." When people are visiting a winery, especially for the first time, a simple 30-second explanation of the tasting options would make such a difference. We also had no idea there was a food truck around the corner attached to the winery serving fantastic food! Because no one mentioned it, we ended up purchasing the prepackaged charcuterie instead. We discovered the food truck afterward and really wished we had known about it. That being said, the rest of our visit was wonderful. There was great live music, the atmosphere was relaxed and enjoyable, and sitting outside overlooking the vineyard was absolutely beautiful. It's exactly the kind of setting you want when spending an afternoon at a winery. Orfila has so much going for it. With a warmer, more informative welcome for first-time visitors, this easily could have been a five-star experience.

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    Forgotten Barrel Winery

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    4.6(131 reviews)
    8.0 mi
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    A friend was having a gathering here recently and invited us to join. I have been hearing about…read moreForgotten Barrel for a few years now, but I assumed it was pretty far out there in Escondido. I was wrong. It's not far off the 15 freeway in a small unassuming neighborhood. If you didn't know it was there you would never discover it. We arrived and took the last spot in the front parking lot. There is another parking lot, it seems like there's plenty of parking around. We found our party in a courtyard next to the tasting room. There was plenty of seating and tables for everyone, and it was sectioned off from the rest (if you need a private area). We went in the tasting room and tasted several wines before deciding. The staff were friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about their wines. After we got our wine, we decided to walk the property. It's a very quaint, unique piece of property with old buildings and new ones made to look old (bathrooms). You can walk through the vineyards and there are various areas where you could have parties. There is a barn, which is beautifully decorated and lit inside. It would be perfect for a wedding reception or any other type of party. There are several areas where you could put multiple groups of people or use the whole facility for a giant party. When we were there, there was live music. The band was really good and we enjoyed sitting under the umbrellas and trees while listening. There was also a pizza food truck whilst we were there. I ordered a pepperoni pizza and they delivered it to where we were sitting. I shared it and we all enjoyed a slice. I can't believe I didn't know this existed here before, but I'm so glad to have discovered it. I will definitely come back and bring friends. It's just the perfect little spot to spend some time. Maybe listen to some music, eat some food and drink some wine.

    I just got back from an afternoon at the Forgotten Barrel Winery. What an amazing time we had. No…read moreonly so they have a wide choice of wines to choose from, by the glass and by the bottle, but the prices are reasonable. They also offer tasting menus, so you get healthy pours of different wines to try. They also offer some premade food for sale, charcuteries, hummus, crackers, cheeses. Plus there's a food truck that sells amazing burgers starting at 3. While we were there, there was live music being played in the Central courtyard. Guests could sit on their provided seating under a large shaded tree and some had their small dogs with them on leash. Because we were a medium size group and had made a reservation, we were placed in a separate room with plenty of inside and outside covered seating. The winemaker even gave us a tour of the facilities. Showing is the process from the grapes, to the hopper and ending with the barrels where they age. It's definitely worth driving out to visit this beautiful winery in Escondido.

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    Forgotten Barrel Winery - Www.heatherleephoto.com

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    Koi Zen Cellars - venues - Updated September 2026

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