I needed to get a birthday present for a friend who likes Spanish wine and the big box stores weren't cutting it for me. I was on a time crunch when I stopped in. I asked the man at the counter if he could point me in the direction of what I was looking for. He did and then some!! I found exactly what I was looking for even though I only had a vague idea, thanks to him. I love the store, it's in a little shack next to the nursery on San Marcos blvd. They are reasonably priced (often less than the big stores). They have a good variety and it's fun to wander the aisles. Plus they have fun events and ever changing flights. Sign up for their emails so you know when they're serving something you'd like to try or something you know you like. Plus the outdoor patio is very pleasant. If you sit at the bar everyone chats, it's a nice environment! read more

North County Wine Company - a view of the store - Wine Bars Near Me - San Marcos, California

My husband and I went here today for the first time after visiting the garden/ nursery next door. We were greeted with a smile and offered suggestions or help for finding any certain wines in their shop. When we arrived we were the only people in the shop so we asked the employee if the wine bar area was open and if we could grab a glass of wine. He said 'of course!' We sat down, and were able to easily see the wines available and pricing. The employee introduced himself as Jim, and we soon learned he was the owner! Within a few minutes more guests arrived and filled the space. Jim knew everyone's name, even asking about pets and upcoming trips. It seemed like a real community. I quickly got to know the other local guests, and learned about their wine club! From Jim's service, the great variety of wine, overall ambiance, and laid back vibes I would recommend everyone to check this out. I'm already looking forward to coming back for the wine club events! They do also serve a small selection of cold bottled beers and snacks like chips and crackers. I did see other guests bring in their own food, so maybe that's allowed too. Thanks Jim! read more

My happy place. They price match with Costco so I can confidently shop here and don't have to worry about being overcharged. They ship, they give great suggestions and Jim, who is there 99% of the time, is a sommelier. Super cute shop in San Marcos with outside seating and during normal times you can do tastings. NCWC has basically been my crutch through the pandemic. Ha. read more

See all

Jim is welcoming; definitely a great local spot for fine wine. We have been going for years; a nice ambience.

Wine selection and atmosphere is excellent! Went with a couple coworkers after a long week and what a gem. I contemplated writing a review because I want to be the only one... but I know this is how they get business (plus they already have GREAT reviews....) They have cheese, chocolate and crackers to buy to eat there. You can also bring your own food if you'd like. I like how you can have half glasses to taste the wine! It's a great option and what I did the entire night. I didn't do the flight but I saw people around me try it so it's probably worth it. They also have a huge selection of wine to try as well. What a great local place! read more

This place is a hidden gem for wine lovers. They serve wine by the glass they have tastings each day with a focus on brands or AVA's, grape type and it's a full store for bottles to go. They have a little bit of food stuff to purchase cheese and crackers and some meat and chocolate. Good news is you can bring in your own food you can sit inside or outside on the patio which has some umbrellas And the owner Jim is a sommelier so he can give you some recommendations. read more

See all

6 tastings for $6!!! Hidden gem. You walk into this very non-chalant establishment that sits across from the Regal Theaters. Very small tasting bar. There is less than a dozen seats and a nice little outdoor patio. It was explained to us that the tastings are not limited, and you are able to taste whatever is on the menu (which is a full 3 pages!). HOLLAAAA!!! We went to town!!! My friend stuck with reds and I stuck with whites. There is a TV at the bar and we were fortunate enough to watch and cheer on the Chargers game. We also ordered a platter of cheese and crackers with our tastings for $8. There was another couple at the bar that ended up purchasing a $160 bottle of wine and offered to share a couple glasses with us. WOW!!! The guy even offered his tastings as well. They have an enclosed patio outside (where the bathroom is located) where there are tables/chairs and a grill. The owner mentioned that they welcome food and deliveries from restaurants, which I thought was awesome. You can even bring food to grill up whenever the grill is available. We walked away buying several bottles of wine. They also sell wine (great selection!) in their store section, which is pretty comparable to Bevmo and other local stores prices. Apparently, they have special events that occur on a weekly basis and you can be notified of them when you sign up on their mailing list. What a nice place! read more

See all

Ok... I've visited this place before, a handful of times under different owners. I have to say that from my last visit the customer service is now excellent. I haven't had the chance to do any wine tasting here, but I look forward to doing so. I would definitely return . It had been 2 years since I had been back to this location due to poor customer service. But at the request of my husband looking to get a gift, I returned to this place (whining, get it) and was pleased with the turn around. Now I can't wait to come back. read more

See all

This little (but mighty) wine stop and tasting bar should not be overlooked!! The variety of wine is unbeatable- hundreds of wines beautifully displayed and organized for you to browse. If you need assistance, the staff is so knowledgeable and can give you the best recommendations without making you feel overwhelmed with technical terminology. Even better, they have a wine bar where you can enjoy wine by the glass either inside or outside on their beautiful patio! The outside has plenty of tables that have ample shade and even a fire pit. The prices at the wine bar are very reasonable for the quality that you are getting. This is a small and quaint gem in San Marcos! read more

North County Wine Company - More of the patio - Wine Bars Near Me - San Marcos, California

See all

We just discovered this shop and can't believe we didn't shop here sooner. Jim, the owner, is a very friendly and more importantly knowledgeable Sommelier who curates only the best bottles for his shop. The pricing is out of this world and the wine quality is outstanding. For example, I just had the best Napa Cab Cobblestone 2013 I might add, for only $20!! How is that even possible?! I cannot wait to come back when the bar and patio is open and you can really let loose. If you're buying your wine from anywhere else in SD/OC counties stop what you're doing and get here immediately! P.S. I live in Little Italy with some pretty good Italian wine and Urban wineries and this place blows everything away. read more

After a beer yelp event my wife asked politely if we could grab a glass of wine. Seeing I have zero idea of where we were (Vista) I turn to yelp like always. Up come a place in San Marcos (huh????) but I find it. Walk inside to a seriously great wine store and a four person bar in the corner run by Bill. First, what fun to taste what he's pouring!! Knows his stuff and is truly excited to share. $10 tasting of some great stuff. He brought out a Hancock chard called The Limit. Fantastic wine and so good we brought a bottle home. This was one of those times you follow your gut and just go. It was dark and I was a bit lost, but then walked into a room of friends. That's what wine is about and Bill & friends get it!!! I've told neighbors already and I'll for sure be back time and time again if I can find it haha. It's right on San Marcos Blvd so I should be fine!!! read more

Excellent wine shop to stop by for a couple of bottles, whether for a special event or for everyday dinner, this place has everything! The wine bar is also great. I like to stop by for a glass or two when I am in the area. They have some seating inside at the bar, and an outdoor space to enjoy too. (Chuck is excellent!) read more

Selection is great, prices are comparable. But I'm only giving this place two stars because of their lack of customer service! I sent two e-mails letting them know I was coming from a long distance to visit family in a nearby town and I asked about hours. They never replied! Their loss. I was intended to buy about 5 or 6 bottles of wine I can't find up where I live. And these are not cheap wine as they are imported from Europe. When I was there a couple years ago, I was not greeted and I was pretty much ignored until I wanted to ask a question. The guy behind the counter answered rather perfunctorily, no smile, like I was bothering him. read more

Dropped by to pick up some wine for an event. They have a great selection of wine at all different price points. They also have a cool wine bar where you can do wine tastings. Jim was very helpful and knowledgeable. We love supporting local businesses! read more

Cute little wine bar in San Marcos. I'd been intending to come here for some time and finally got around to it. Met a friend here for happy hour. Very small and intimate setting with friendly and attentive service. They have some pretty good deals during happy hour, which goes all night on Thursdays. Also, they don't have food, aside from a cheese plate, so they welcome you bringing in your own food. I decided to do half-glasses so I could try a variety of wines. I started with a Malbec, then had a Zinfandel, and finished with a Cabernet Sauvignon. All of them were really really good. Coming back with my husband soon. read more

I've been to this store a handful of times and I've always found the owners to be super helpful, including carrying wine out to my car when my hands were full. The prices are reasonable and they always make great recommendations. I'll be back for sure! read more

Great wine shop with two very knowledgeable guys running the place. Both Bill and Jim have a great ability at picking wines. The wine club is great because of this and you are usually going to get two very good wines that you would not normally be able to pick from the thousands out there. Pricing is amazing, atmosphere is nice & quaint, and there is usually a nice group of people hangin' out. Definitely worth the stop! read more

Came here for happy hour with a friend. We were fortunate enough to go on a day they offer half off wine glasses so we got a superb deal. We also ordered the cheese plate but it was pitiful. There was no variety of cheese- just salami, cheese and crackers. I would definitely pass on this next time. We ended up going to Sublime Alehouse for food. The server was a little odd- he didn't seem very friendly. Anyhow, when you walk in you'll see a few rows of wine. You can purchase a bottle and drink there or take home. If you check in on yelp you get a free sample of wine. So that's a plus. You'll see a tiny bar with not a huge selection of seating. There is more seating outside. I would say come here for the specials on wine only. I didn't enjoy it enough to return but you never know. read more

Great selection of wines, good pricing and accommodating owners. I used to visit the store on Tuesday Happy Hour evening before COVID-19, to taste wines offered in the menu. What I love about this place was we could create our own wine flights, and gained inputs of wines through conversation among visitors & the owners. I always got out with buying few bottles of wines, because I found the ones that suited my palette, or simply taking a chance to buy wines based on chit-chat around the store. read more

If you want good wine at a good price, this is the only place in North County to go to! What a great selection of wine! The owner is very knowledgeable, and quite nice. I've gone in multiple times saying "I have x party/dinner I'm attending, with x type of food. I'd like to buy x amount of bottles, and spend $x. What should I get?" And he has *nailed it* every time! There's also a wine bar, with about 20(?) wines on tap. You can try just a tasting, half a glass, a glass, whatever! They keep a tab, and you pay when you're done. What a fabulous opportunity to try a variety of wines in a very relaxing environment. read more

North County Wine Company is both a bottle shop and a wine bar with a carefully curated selection. In general, I don't really buy bottles unless it's for a special occasion, so this review is primarily for their wine bar. Pros: +Really interesting and awesome wine list. You can tell that a lot of care has gone into picking their list which changes somewhat frequently. I am yet to have a bad/off tasting wine here. +AMAZING DEALS: They have half-off glasses of wine on Tuesdays (4-7pm) and Thursdays (all day) which is such a steal! Sometimes they have specials on certain glasses or flights on other days of the week. +There is a small inside area/bar as well as a larger, cute outdoor patio. +The staff is always very polite and knowledgeable when answering questions. They've never really gone out of their way to ask me about my day or talk to me (which is fine, I'd rather have it not be fake and understand that they are being polite). They do treat their regulars pretty well though. +They even have a selection of bottled beers for anybody who doesn't want wine. Other comments: +There is definitely a local, old-school "mom and pop" type feel to this place. Personally, it's not really my thing, but I continue to come here for the wines and deals. +While younger people/couples pop in every once in a while, the regular clientele tends to be a bit older. This can lead to some really entertaining, fun conversations and some slightly awkward ones. Overall, if you love wine and live in the San Marcos/Vista/Escondido area, then you should 100% check this place out for their bottle selection, wine list, and amazing deals! Enjoy! read more

This is a great little wine bar that I came across while killing some time. The owner was working on a quiet Sunday afternoon. I was the only one there and we talked a lot about the wine selection. When more people began to arrive. I realized they had a beautiful little patio and most of the people were regulars - always a good omen to me. I'll certainly be back. read more

Introduced to Chill House, which became my steady. The Michel Olivier goes with everything summer. This neighborhood tasting room and wine shop has always pointed me to the best selections. The two brothers who run this place have created a comfortable and welcoming neighborhood wine shop. read more

North County Wine Company - Introduced to Chill House, which became my steady. The Michel Olivier goes with everything summer. - Wine Bars Near Me - San Marcos, California

Really enjoyed my experience here. Stopped by with my in-laws. We had 4 full glasses of wine and with that days special it was only $12! They have daily specials so make sure to check and see what they are when you go in. I was floored at how the prices were, very reasonable and amazing flavor wine! Win win! They sell wine by the bottle from all over the world, a really great selection. The staff was very friendly and we ended up enjoying our wine in the outdoor area 30 min after they closed, we had no idea but the staff didn't mind and were very friendly. I will totally be coming back and highly recommend to anyone who wants to enjoy a little wine. read more

North County Wine Company - Moscato, sweet delicious and just right - Wine Bars Near Me - San Marcos, California

This place is so lovely! One of the best thongs about this wine bar is that it is never overcrowded or too busy and I think that is because there are so many people who live in North County who don't know about it! So this is the main reason that we haven't been here before, but also something that i am happy about! First off is the selection. If you are just coming into the shop to pick up a great bottle of wine for a friend or a nice dinner party you are having, all the wines are sorted by region, and the staff are willing to help and answer any questions you may have. It is a little bit overwhelming because there are SO many options, but if you know your wine..(like we do)... then you should be able to find what suits you. The decor is very cute and you can tell that this place is a family run business by good people My husband and I, love to come, grab a cold bottle of white, and sit outside in the cute shabby chic lawn area. They have very cute picnic tables and benches outside so you cam have small or larger groups. You would never believe by just the dive-by of this place, that there is such a quaint little place inside to sit and enjoy some delicious wine. This would be such a good place to take a first date, or for those older folk who are married and like to have a nice date night!:) read more

Okay I almost don't want to share this place with the world. I want to keep it secret. I came last week with a friend, and we LOVED this place. It's a typical wine shop with a tiny wine bar off to the side. They primarily are there to sell bottles, but they have select seats inside to pour wine, and a larger patio outside for guests. If you're going to come, don't go on any other day but Thursday. Half off half glasses of wine, and full. I got two glasses and shared the small cheese plate and my total was $11. I mean, wow. Service was okay, I think it's run by two brothers. My friend couldn't decide what she wanted so he left haha, I don't think he had time to have her look over the menu. Tip would be to maybe show a bit more patience ;) Overall this place is great- was pretty crowded with, how shall I say, an older rambunctious crowd. My younger GF and I were probably the youngest ones there. But still, it's great for any age! The only food they have is a cheese plate and hummus thing going on, but plenty of wine to choose from! The moscato was WONDERFUL! Will see you there Thursday ;) read more

My friend and I found this place through a Living Social deal a year ago, and even after the vouchers ended, we kept going back for more! The brothers are friendly, inviting and knowledgeable and their ideas of creating a fun environment for the regulars are getting better over time. Kudos to you! Especially love to sit outside on a nice day (which is often in SD) and enjoying a glass after our tastings are over...See you at 3! **They are in the process of expanding their outdoor seating area, and I cannot wait! Don't worry, that won't stop me from being there weekly. ;) Oh wait, and their Wine Club is AWESOME, I've been a member for three months and I haven't be disappointed...for $29, you get two bottles a month, plus two free tasting sessions! Tonight is our monthly pick-up party and I, personally, can't wait to see what they have in store for us! read more

If you love wine, YOU HAVE TO COME HERE!!! It's a must! My husband and I have drove by this place numerous times since we live in San Marcos but have never had the time to stop in. One day while running errands, we decided to finally make our way inside and we were so glad we did! We were greeted by one of the owners, Jim, right away and he made us feel so welcomed. He showed us the wine menu and let us know about the daily special of 1/2 of wine glasses. What a day to choose to come in, right?! There are so many wines to choose from, from all over the world. After looking over the menu, we each got a glass and enjoyed our glass out in the patio area. It was so relaxing to just have a glass of wine at noon with my husband in the middle of a busy weekday. It was like an escape from reality! You would think that it would be pretty loud being on a main street but it wasn't at all. After the first glass, we wanted to try another glass so we went inside. We wanted something refreshing since it was such a hot day out and Jim was so good at describing the wines to us wine newbies. He even let us do a little taster to see if we would even like the dry rose that we picked out and we ended up loving it so much that we bought a bottle of it to drink at home. You can tell that Jim loves what he does and he is quite the wine enthusiast! I love this place so much! I can't believe we didn't stop by sooner! The wine selection is huge and the prices are reasonable. I love the wine bar and they even the wide selection of craft beers. We were chatting it up with a regular who recommended we come in on a Friday for tastings with snacks. We definitely will be coming back on a Friday and any other day since they have a special every day! read more

North County Wine Company - Daily specials - Wine Bars Near Me - San Marcos, California

See all

alright! When I stopped by in here yesterday, I chatted with the most delightful gentleman! Who the heck were all the previous reviewers talking to? The selection is phenomenal. The owner greeted me when I came in, showed me around his beautiful little shop & then asked me what I was in to. I've been on a reds kick lately so he walked me over to a few of his favorites, and then told me cute mini-stories about the vineyards. I walked out with 2 bottles for $20. he even gave me a corkscrew for coming in for the first time, super cute bonus! going back this weekend to check out the tasting bar! read more

Great little wine spot! They have a great selection of wine and some beers & two very friendly and knowledgeable owners that also happen to be brothers. You can buy a bottle, sit inside or outside and just chill with your other half or friends. read more

North County Wine Company - Wine store - Wine Bars Near Me - San Marcos, California

See all

I absolutely LOVED this Wine Bar! The prices were great, the wine selection was excellent; seriously, I've never seen so many wines choices from all around the world! The service is fantastic. Jim is very knowledgeable about the wines they have in their shop and since I'm very picky he helped me choose one in my budget and it was exactly what I wanted. I enjoyed sitting at the bar, drinking wine (on tap...what?) and chatting away. I learned so much. There's also an adorable outside patio area if sitting indoors just isn't your thing. My friends and I even had pizza delivered and continued our time out there. I can't recommend this place enough! read more

I am shocked and disappointed at the negative reviews on here...COME ON people, do we not need to support small businesses in a world where it is nearly impossible financially for them to survive...not to mention this is a FAMILY owned company. It's truly sad to see someone giving a review when (wow) they haven't even stopped in themselves?? Jim and Bill are the BEST! They take the time to talk to you about different wines you might like and have seriously changed my views about red wine, including Merlot ;) I dont know many places or people for that matter who will not only spend the time but actually care enough to help you pick out the PERFECT bottle of Champagne for your parents 30th Wedding Anniversary! Thank you guys, we absolutely LOVE this place and will continue to be regulars for as long as your doors are open!! read more

It's a rainy Sunday in San Diego and football season is over. What is a person to do? Go to North County Wine Company, of course for their 6 tastings for 6 dollars. You can't beat it!! We spent our time at the bar enjoying our sips with a couple of the board games that they provide for you. The atmosphere is very friendly and they additionally have a nice patio section to enjoy their selections in our normally sunny weather. I've popped in and out a couple times in the past to make my wine purchases. I go in there with the intent of purchasing only one bottle but in the end I end up with six.... at the very least. They carry a Hendry Cab '08 which is one of my FAVORITE wines at a VERY good price point. I like that they carry the more obscure wines as I'm a huge fan of trying something new. The owners are quite helpful and are willing to point you in the right direction with some good suggestions. Quite an enjoyable experience!! read more

North County Wine Company is exactly what you want from a wine shop and bar-- and more. The prices can't be beat, and the wine selection is extensive-- I have never seen more wines from different places in the world! No matter your budget, there is a wine that is right for you. Which brings me to the service. Probably the best thing about this shop. Jim and Bill are extremely knowledgeable. I enjoy sitting at the bar, drinking a glass of wine, and just listening to them talk to customers or sellers about wine. You can learn so much! Plus, the guys are probably some of the nicest people you will ever meet. I was on the way to Vegas, and wanted to take a couple of bottles on my trip. I asked Jim to pick out three whites and three reds in my modest price range. 10 minutes later, I was packed up and ready to go, with some really delicious wines. All of my friends were impressed. Thanks Jim! I'd recommend this place to wine fans as well as people who want to be wine fans. I honestly believe these fine men can find what your looking for-- whether it is a nice bottle for dinner or 100 bottles for a charity event! Plus, you can try wine before you buy it! read more

This is by far the absolute best place to get wine in all of San Diego. Fair prices, amazing selections and greatest owners! We love being apart of the wine club and even drive all the way from downtown to go to the pick up party. The flights are the absolute best way to continually try new wines and explore varietals. Everyone there is so friendly and knowledgeable, we can't stop raving about this place! Thanks Jim! read more

Must have driven past this place over a million times. Each time I passed it thinking, "I need to try that place one day". Well I finally did and love it! Such a hidden gem! You will notice from all the reviews the owners are dope! Look up dope if you need a definition. Jim and Bill know a ton of crap about wine, and other useless information. The bar area is real small so go early if they are holding a event. They do have a nice size outdoor patio area. I hear the owners try all the wines they serve and sell. So you can expect to get a great glass or bottle. If you are expecting to find a new Gaslamp or Carlsbad type wine bar, you wont find it here. What you will find is a great wine bar that offers outstanding wines, and service. read more

Love this wine bar and wine shop. Super friendly people every time my husband and I have visited. My favorite go to spot to hang out, try new wine, and shop for wine. read more

Love this place. The owners are amazing. Very knowledgable about their wines. Highly recommended read more

North County Wine Company - The selection - Wine Bars Near Me - San Marcos, California

See all

This place is great... I like coming to this cute little wine shop to hang out with friends after work. The owner (Jim) has a great knowledge of wine and always picks out something I enjoy... plus they have great prices and an awesome patio I def recommend. read more

New Owners, New Vibe NCWC is under new ownership, and if my first post-sale visit is a sign of things to come, I'm looking forward to many happy returns. Jim and Bill are personable, pleasant, and helpful, and they seem to have hit the ground running. Thankfully, they kept Briana on staff, so the regular crowd will still feel "at home." They've already started cleaning up the patio area, which was in serious need of attention. Like the previous owner, they're stocking the shelves with a broad selection of labels you won't find in the grocery store. They've also extended the Friday and Saturday closing time to 9:00pm. NCWC is a great place to relax with friends (or make new ones) and enjoy a variety of wine tastings or a bottle of something new. Best wishes to Jim and Bill on their new venture! read more