This place can get very crowded, but that's honestly part of what makes it so much fun. The energy…read moreis always great, and there's always something going on. I've attended their trivia nights, and they were a blast--well organized, engaging, and a perfect activity for a group of friends. The drinks are fantastic. The Sauvignon Blanc sangria and the frozen rosé are both amazing and have become some of my favorites. The food is consistently good, and the lively atmosphere keeps me coming back. On my most recent visit, I had the opportunity to beta test one of their murder mystery events, and it was such a unique and entertaining experience. It added a whole new level of fun to the evening and made for a memorable night out. If they offer the murder mystery event again, I highly recommend checking it out. It's a great way to enjoy good food, drinks, and an interactive experience all in one place.

I enjoyed visiting Five Vines Wine Bar in downtown San Juan Capistrano. It's conveniently located…read morenear the Amtrak railroad tracks, which adds to the charm and character of the area. There is public parking nearby, making it easy to find parking @ $2/hour. The wine bar is cozy, cute, and welcoming, with a great selection of wines and delicious food options. I especially enjoy their happy hour and the outdoor balcony seating, where you can relax with a glass of wine and watch people stroll through historic downtown. The waitress is fast and friendly....just all around well worth the drive to this area.

"One's options in this world are as vast as the horizon, which is technically a circle and thus…read moreinfinitely broad. Yet we must choose each step we take with utmost caution, for the footprints we leave behind are as important as the path we will follow. They're part of the same journey -- our story." ― Lori R. Lopez, Dance Of The Chupacabras What an amazing event this was! OC Meets Napa and Baja, presented by Community Health Center AltaMed, brought primarily Latino-centric restaurants and chefs in Orange County and Latino-owned wineries in Napa and Baja together in a celebration of culture. Proceeds from all the ticket sales went toward supporting the Orange County health services and programs that AltaMed spearheads in underserved communities. When I was Housing Manager for the City of Huntington Beach, I funded Alta Med through the City's CDBG program and am very knowledgable about the great services they provide especially in a country that still has an imperfect and expensive healthcare system. What was cool about this event was actually seeing, meeting and talking to the chefs/winemakers. These are the people who chose their path, who chose their own story. The passion from chefs such as Beto Ygei from 930 Sushi (excellent spicy yellowtail), Carlos Selgado of Taco Maria (wonderful scallop here), Gabbi Patrick (I think they did a scallop dish too), Rogelio Martinez of Casa Oaxaca (so excited was he about his sorbets and ice cream), and winemakers such as Alex, Oscar and Lola Llamas (best wines at event and great people too who invited us to hang out afterwards). This is the type of event that I love to attend and is only second to the San Jose Jazz Festival as favorite yelp events of this kind that I was lucky enough to get tickets from Yelp. Was disappointed in the Baja wines as there was little balance or flavor with those wines, and a lot of rustic smells and astrigent finishes. However given that when traveling the local wines always taste better when you are visiting their area (Cinque Terre was an example of this where the wines are fabulous only when you are outdoors on a patio with a great view eating a sublime pesto dish in Italy), I will visit Baja soon and visit the better wineries on their home turf ;-) Thanks again Yelp for this event! Sidney

I was a lucky winner of VIP tickets ($125 pp) to OC Meets Napa and Baja sponsored by AltaMed. I…read morewas worried about rain but it cleared up right before the event started which led to the vendors scrambling to set up their tents. It was warm and muggy but there was plenty of food and drink for all the guests to enjoy. There were plenty of Napa and Baja wine vendors pouring wine throughout the event along with restaurants from LA, OC, and Baja. Some of my favorite food vendors were Anepalco's Cafe, Taco Maria, Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen, and Deckman's en el Mogor. Wine was definitely plentiful as was the food. There was a wine wheel that you could spin for $20, which went to the Women in Action charity and in turn you won a wine bottle valued anywhere from $40 to $80. I won an $80 bottle of wine. It was pretty awesome. There were tables for all the guests to lounge and mingle at. The event was held at Mission San Juan Capistrano which I had never visited before. We were allowed to walk around the exhibits while the Mission was closed to the public. Pretty cool. Thanks to Yelp OC for the tickets. My +1 and I had a great time.

Stopped by here to have some wine and snacks on an organized 12 mile hike. Loved the people we were…read morewith and the service, but we got some stink eye from some snooty patrons. Not my problem, it was theirs. I'm hiking, fools! The pinot was fantastic, as was the sauv blanc. The grounds are beautiful and perfectly manicured. My bf and i have driven by this place a million times before on the way to other places and would've ever thought this place existed. Looking forward to hiking this way again!

The Swanner House, also known as Stone Winery, in San Juan Capistrano is the hidden gem of Orange…read moreCounty. With Orange trees! If you live in Orange County and have been wanting to get out of the house in a Safe Social distance area, then I highly recommend going. But make sure you take bags or buckets for FREE ORANGES!! The fields of orange trees are open to the public for free picking. Walk around the fields, with a glass of wine, look at the cute boutique, and for a special time, take a picture with Santa. If your ready for a break after the picking, take the time to enjoy good food and some drinks.

We made a completely last-minute stop at Laguna Canyon Winery because it happened to be on our…read moreroute, and I'm so glad we did. The 2021 Laguna Cabernet Sauvignon was incredibly smooth, with low acidity and soft, well-integrated tannins--exactly the kind of wine I love. Every sip was balanced, approachable, and enjoyable. What surprised me most wasn't just the wine--it was the experience. This is the kind of place you wouldn't expect to find, making it feel like a true hidden gem. It's absolutely worth the visit and is perfect for a weekend getaway or even a two-day trip. The tasting was personal and welcoming. The people here truly know what they're doing. They don't just work at the winery--they helped create the wines themselves, and hearing the stories behind each bottle made the experience even more meaningful. If you're looking for an authentic California wine experience with beautiful surroundings, exceptional hospitality, and delicious wines, I highly recommend making the stop. Sometimes the unplanned detours become the highlight of the journey.

We had the most amazing wine tasting experience with Carson and the owner, JJ! We learned so much…read morefrom him, heard a great story, and had the best wine EVER. Thank you both for a great time - we'll be back soon with our family and friends!

Recently went for the first time and already excited to return soon!…read more We went for a cheeky Tuesday wine flight which was a good option. You get to select your own wine from their list to try at your own pace. Each time we went back for our next selection, the lovely ladies at the bar were always friendly and delightful. We wished to order the charcuterie box, but they were out, so we went with the Mediterranean board and beef empanadas served with chimichurri sauce - I'd order both again. Their happy hour is very generous, with a BOGO on drinks. Being right on the Harbor wharf, there was a slight breeze which was a welcome relief after the heatwaves the last couple of weeks. The courtyard is covered, so out of the sun, and super spacious. Only negative was the music situation. It was super spotty and dropped out a lot, quite annoying.

It was such a fun experience. Came the night before to scope the place out and spoke to Lauren and…read morefound out there was a live band the next day. We arrived about 15 minutes before they were fully open so we sat on the patio looking at the wine options and talked until they opened. They had two white wines which I didn't try and the rest were reds. I didn't get to try all the reds because you get 6 to a tasting but all the ones I did taste were great! Ended up getting a bottle of the Cab Sauv and the Dark Elements to enjoy with the live music. The staff was excellent the entire time even when they got busy. Shout out to Lauren, Christian, Rachel and Shay for the excellent service! Specially Lauren who took care of us from open to close even with a little humorous mix up when she thought I was the live music. Lol great time highly recommend trying them. Great wines right on the water and amazing staff!

What a happy accident! We stumbled onto McClain Cellars after breakfast next door and ended up…read morecanceling our Museum of Make Believe tickets to stay all day instead, no regrets whatsoever Eddie and Agnus made the whole experience. Both were so knowledgeable about the wines and just genuinely friendly, the kind of hospitality that makes you want to stay "just one more glass" way longer than planned. The wine itself was delicious across the board. Loved that we could purchase all the stuff for a charcuterie board and have it put together for us. The vibe was absolutely perfect! If you're in Laguna, skip the plans and just go. You might end up there all day too!

While visiting Laguna Beach, I went out looking for artist studios and had "find a good wine bar"…read moreon my list. I didn't find the studios, but I found this incredible gem instead. Eddie knew the story behind every wine and made the whole experience feel personal and easy. He was welcoming in a way that lets you settle in and enjoy yourself, with great wine, music, and a perfect atmosphere. I ended up joining the wine membership and can't wait for my bottles to arrive. So glad I found McClain Cellars and can't wait to go back.

We had a wonderful time! We made it a point to stop here when driving from Temecula as we had never…read morebeen to a mission before, and we are so glad that we did. When getting the tickets, the lady helping us was so nice! We got our audio tour and started along the way. It really was beautiful and full of history! It's as old as the country! The audio tour and plaques along the way provided a lot of information and we spent at least 2 hours here wandering around and taking everything in, you could easily spend more time than that here. Beautiful grounds and it was amazing to see the original and uncovered structures that existed so long ago. You end up at the gift shop at the end and we left with a postcard and a magnet for home. Very reasonable prices in there and some cute things! Overall we had an amazing time and would love to visit other missions. Give this one a go!

What a great, historic site. Mission San Juan Capistrano was built in 1776 and is the seventh…read moreoldest Mission in California. View is truly grand and majestic. As soon as you enter you will see a gorgeous garden and remnants of The Great Stone Church, which was destroyed by earthquake in 1812. I also liked Serra Chapel, which is the oldest building in California that's still in use, based on online search. I felt at peace just sitting inside the chapel for few minutes. Current admission fee is $19 for adults and $11 for youth (5-17) years of age). Admission fee includes a self-guided audio tour but the device was kind of difficult to hear. There isn't a designated parking lot for the Mission but there are few public parking lots near the area. I was here on a weekday so was able to find street parking along Camino Capistrano. Most of the street parking is limited to 5 hours. There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance so it's a great location. You will definitely smell BBQ smoke coming from Heritage BBQ restaurant across the street.

Absolutely loved our visit to Miramonte Winery! The food is exceptional. My absolute favorite is…read morethe Queso Oaxaca & Salami Flatbread with honey. The combination of salty and sweet is perfect, with so much flavor in every bite. Definitely a must-try! The wine is wonderful as well, and Opulente is one of my favorites. Great service, beautiful atmosphere, and I love that they offer different events throughout the weekends, which makes every visit feel a little different. Great wine, delicious food, and a fun atmosphere. Definitely a Temecula wine country favorite!

First and foremost, I will NEVER be visiting this winery EVER again. To anyone that reads this…read morereview, YOU ARE WARNED you will be subjected to the worst experience and customer service that you will probably have to ever endure. My Wife and I are appalled over what happened. To the Business Owner, Cane V., you need to train your employees, the faces of YOUR everyday business, to be more EMOTIONALLY INTUITIVE and PROFESSIONAL and have GENERAL MATURITY. Where do I start? If you are looking for a winery that has an unprofessional, rowdy brewery atmosphere that attracts Entitled Stank Faced Boomer Temecula Wine Moms and their Snobby Little Cliques LOOK NO FURTHER, THIS IS YOUR PLACE. Our Experience: my Wife and I came over to sample some wines from this winery that was recommended from a friend. On the Winery Website, you can do 2 different types of wine tastings: Classic Tastings of 6 wines of your choice or a Private Wine Tasting of 8 different ones for a higher price. This is what initially attracted my Wife and I to this winery in the first place (big mistake on our end). Upon arrival, we were pleasantly surprised to find out that wine tasting is no longer being offered at all. The incompetent red haired bartender at the front entrance provided us with no other alternative other than "Yea we don't offer that anymore, you can do by the glass or by the bottle." Her tone changed completely when I asked her about the Club they advertise everywhere. She then tells us that they are booked for the day, however the BAR and LAWN area are open seating, after 8PM everything is open seating. It was 6:30/7PM so we decided by that point, we'll wait for a spot to open up and enjoy some wine then in the meantime. We figured, it's just the 2 of us so we should have luck finding a spot. At the bar area, I noticed that 3 seats were left unattended. The people there got up and left, no drinks were left behind or any "Reservation" placards were placed to notify people. I walk over, sit down and wave to my Wife to come and sit at the bar area. We sat down, sipped some of our wine for 10-15 minutes. Bar had 2 people working, a gentleman and heavier set Blonde lady. Both of them never said anything and nothing was ever exchanged between us and the heavier set Blond lady. I was even thinking about buying a beer or cocktail and thankfully I didn't. Shortly after this time, an EXTREMELY RUDE, ENTITLED, and VISIBLY DRUNK lady and her husband RUDLY went in between my Wife and I and COMMANDED we leave her spots. My Wife and I laughed at her and were genuinely confused because the BAR IS OPEN SEATING, THERE ARE NO RESERVATIONS FOR OPEN SEATING. She then gets even more angry and DEMANDS we leave or else, says to my Wife and I "YOU're GOING TO LEAVE NOW," I tell the lady to kick rocks, it's open seating then she enters the bar area to talk to the heavier set Blond bar tender that we wont move. The Blond bar tender THEN has the AUDACITY to tell us "They have been sitting here all night, YOU TWO need to leave immediately." My Wife and I look at each other and absolutely laugh it off at the sheer absurdity of everyone's tone towards us. Who do you think you are to blatantly kick us out ON OPEN SEATING? Either you are severely undertrained from the Owner or you as a staff member play favorites with other entitled customers. Both of which are absolutely absurd. Upon this interaction, my Wife and I leave and go right down the street to Europa Winery and sampled several wines and had a $250 dinner at Bolero. Here, the experience was a complete 180° and we should've never wasted our time at Miramonte Winery being subjected to the nastiness from the Temecula Trash. If you are a large party, or wanting to host private events, I STRONGLY recommend ANYWHERE else besides Miramonte Winery. The Staff here is atrocious, rude, immature and ugly. I pride myself in never leaving nasty reviews but this experience changed everything moving forward.

If you ever wake up, roll out of bed, and think, "I need Temecula. I need Paso Robles. I need Edna…read moreValley. I need rolling hills and wine immediately," but you absolutely do not want to drive two hours -- this is your answer. Let Santiago Canyon take hold of you. Within about 20 minutes of most of Orange County, suddenly you're surrounded by horses, oak trees, blue skies, and enough countryside to make you forget you were just sitting on the 405. Come here, look at the wine list, do a tasting, and stop trying to control the day. Let it unfold. Is it Napa? No. Is it Paso? No. But for one afternoon, after a few pours and enough time staring at the hills, you may genuinely stop caring. Come for the wine. Stay for your brief transformation into a canyon person.

Beautiful hidden winery with amazing service! Had the best Saturday afternoon enjoying wine and…read morecharcuterie! Will be back to try out one of their events.