(4.5 stars) Been here 3 times now to take my wife wine tasting before heading to dinner. The self service wine tastings are an absolute favorite of ours. Great service and friendly staff. Everyone is very knowledgeable and shares little tidbits about the wine while you enjoy. A few Suggestions / observations: 1. The self service wine area has a massive wine display that limits access to patrons who are there. A thin long belly bar would make it much more social and accessible. Constantly feel like I am bumping into people or wine bottles just to grab a taster then standing in a corner to get out of the way. 2. The massive LED tv's would be so nice if there was nature or a beach scene or something to set the ambiance. Having a massive advertisement of an appetizer stock photo and happy hour fliers illuminating half the store is not enjoyable, they could be utilized in a much nicer format. 3. Would love to see even more of the self serve wine tasting dispensers in the future! They are a hit and are such a fun concept. read more

We kicked off our evening at Wine Experience with the chorizo stuffed dates--sweet, smoky, and wrapped in crisp bacon with a touch of whipped fig crema that made each bite worth while! If you can, try the warm smoked almonds and olives; they're smoked perfection with bright lemon zest and paired beautifully with whatever you're having. The food throughout was absolutely delicious, with thoughtful, elevated small plates that felt refined. The standout on the spring menu? Those beef Wellington puffs--tender filet mignon wrapped in golden, flaky pastry and served with Dijonnaise!! They were rich, elegant, and utterly irresistible; we couldn't stop reaching for more. 3rd order anyone?! What truly made the night special was the team. From the moment we walked in, the knowledgeable staff was genuinely helpful and enthusiastic, guiding us through their wine selections with thoughtful recommendations that perfectly complemented each dish. Their passion turned a lovely dinner into a memorable experience--approachable yet refined. Highly recommend for a special night out. We left smiling, a bit fuller, and already planning to come back. Five stars! read more

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This was truly one of the best wine bar experiences I've had in a while! The staff is what made our night - owner Mike is so attentive and intelligent and kind! He took time to walk us through our tastings and sat down with us for almost an hour to chat wine and food. Everyone else working was also awesome and they make you feel so comfortable and at home. Lovely wine selection and house made pasta and flatbreads as well!! Highly recommend :) read more

For me, I was meeting a friend for a long overdue catch up and this was not the place for a quiet sit down. My girlfriend wanted to try "something different" and as I'd driven by a number of times I was good to join in. But I didn't know it was a serve yourself sort of place. The wines offered spanned several varietals and price points so that was nice. The charcuterie board we ordered was a titsch stingy and didn't look like the photo on the board though it did include all the items. All in all, if you want to have an easy happy hour where you can relax and be served this may not be the place. If instead you want to hang with the girls and talk loud, give this a whirl. read more

Fun wine tasting experience - feels very "with the times" - you can preload a card and tap to pay for a tasting, half a glass, or even a full glass. There is a very wide selection of reds, but there are even champagnes, and you can try a magnum bottle if your heart desires. The servers are really helpful in walking you through the selection and I would suggest chatting with one of them before you just start pouring like we did, ha! Medium sized space, with a clean restroom and some standing room outside on a patio. They do also offer non-alcoholic options, beer, and small bites. read more

Wine Experience Dana Point - Cheese Shops Near Me - Dana Point, California

Great wine selection and food; friendly, warm and knowledgeable staff. This is a fun way to try many different wines that were thoughtfully curated. read more

My wife turned me onto this place where she has been with her girlfriends. It's one of those wine bars where you can pour 3 ounces 6 oz. or 9 ounces with a variety of wines to select from. I do like to taste different wines, but you can't buy a bottle as well. They also have some appetizers some good choices of cheese, etc. Fun place to try and hopefully my wife will invite me the next time. read more

We have been anticipating the opening of this adorable little wine Café. Lee , took care of us and loaded up our card as we proceeded to taste what was on tap for the day. Good selection. you can decide to have a sip or a glass, a lot of wines that we are very familiar with and some that we were not. From the Russian river to Australia, Santa Barbara, and France. We enjoyed so many great sips, especially after talking to the owner Mike for what they have in store and the wines that are yet to come. We loved our wine experience. See you next week y'all read more

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An absolute gem & a much-needed addition to our community. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is upscale with great energy. Perfect for both a quick stop and a longer, more leisurely browse & tasting. What truly sets this shop apart is the incredible expertise and passion of the staff. On my visit, I was looking for a specific type of wine for a dinner party and found the options a bit overwhelming. The owner Mike and was incredibly approachable and knowledgeable. The selection itself is thoughtfully curated. While they have the popular favorites, the real treasures are the boutique and smaller-production wines you won't find at a big-box store. It's clear that each bottle was chosen with care and a genuine love for wine. The store also offers a delicious menu with flatbreads & cheese boards to enjoy with your wine. Cheers ! read more

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What a great, new concept! I've seen places like this in Europe before, so I was excited to see on the news something like this open up near me. I went on a Saturday afternoon/holiday weekend, and it was packed! My best guess is that this place is probably set-up for less busier times. When you first walk in, it's a bit confusing where you're supposed to start. It's mostly seating and shelves of wine. At the register, someone will stop by to help you load up a card with a set amount of money. They recommended $25 per person, which turned out to be a good amount. To the right, there is an admittedly tight corridor of refrigerated(?) wine dispensers. The fridges all the way to the left with the bubbly and bottled/canned drinks are for purchasing per drink. However, the next several machines ranging from whites to reds are up for tasting. At each of the machines, you see a few wine options to choose from (what's visible is their front label). After you tap, you can pick the quantity of your pour. We opted to try as many as we could, so we went with the smallest pour. These all loosely ranged from $1-$5. I believe you could also get a half-pour and full glass. I'm not sure if they rotate these wines seasonally or based on stock or anything. I also forgot to see if you were able to try any of their wines on display (not the fridges) by the glass. We saw several folks leave the store having purchased a bottle. There is seating both inside and outside. I saw some heat lamps as well. At the tables, you get a carafe of cold water. There's also QR codes to order food. Their food options are probably not what you're going to go there for. We opted for their 2-option Charcuterie Board. We picked 1 cheese (a bright, creamy one) and 1 meat (a mustard seed one). It also came with a small pot of pepper jelly, small pot of salted nuts, and fresh fig. The folks working there were working very hard and were so helpful! Even though they were spread thin, they had excellent customer service. They were ready to answer questions, quickly wipe down tables, refill wine, etc. read more

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I always Thought wine always tasted gross, bitter, and not satisfying, but after being educated by the team at Wine Experienced and tasting their amazing selection of wines, they definitely opened my eyes to how amazing, tasty, and enjoyable wine can be! I was here for the soft opening and this entire experience has shifted my perspective on wine 180 degrees. I hated wine and now it's definitely something I find delicious, interesting, and eager to learn more about. The ability to try hand picked curated wines by the ounce was huge, as it makes the entire process less daunting and overwhelming. Lots of options to choose from white wine, red wines, dessert wines. Even inexpensive to very expensive wines. Everyone working at the Wine Experience was so knowledgeable about the wines, from the history, region, and the flavor. It was easy peasy to enjoy the 30+ selection of wine. There were 3 options of pours from 1 ounce to more. First step was to tap the prepaid(refillable) card on the counter which would show your balance and then I pressed the button for the amount I wanted to drink. Which automatically charges the prepaid card, way too easy and fun. I've been on Wine tours in Napa, Temecula, and central coast, but the time spent at the Wine Experience learning from Mike and his team was amazing. The information and knowledge was at the perfect level and enough for me to comprehend, process, and enjoy. I honestly thought I was gonna show up and just try a bunch of wines and get buzzed but it was more than that, we were served delicious food that paired well with all we drank. Loved everything we ordered from the charcuterie board, olives, pizza, and meatballs. The service, the ambience, and the location is wonderful. I look forward to their grand opening and frequenting this awesome spot in the future. Btw I grabbed 2 bottles of white wine that I tried and they offer giftcards or pre charged wine cards as gifts. I'm definitely sharing with my friends so we can all go out and enjoy this amazing place together. Definitely a great place for a solo, date, or a group experience!!! read more

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Amazing experience with Mike last night! Everyone was so friendly and Mike was very knowledgeable! You can get a preloaded card to get one ounce up to a cup pours. Great selection and varied prices to choose from. Establishment was very clean and can't wait to go back to eat there as well. They have charcuterie items to choose from . read more

Wonderful wine experience in Dana Point. The service was excellent, with an extremely knowledgeable staff and owner present. A fantastic selection of French, Italian, and California wines on tap with flexible pours from one ounce tastings to five-ounces. The food (Charcuterie, flatbread, and meatballs) were great, and the atmosphere was relaxed yet upscale. No children allowed. Highly recommend read more

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Located up the hill from Dana Point harbor, plenty of street and parking structure parking available. We came on a Sunday afternoon for my birthday, wasn't busy. We arrived got a rundown on how to use the wine dispenser and chose our table. We did some wine tastings and got a simple meat and cheese platter. Service was good and wine selection was ok. We did get a quick explanation of some of the wines and recommendations from the sommelier. I didn't like or find a new favorite, variety was lacking. The wine selection was missing some complex full bodied wines, which are my favorites. The meat platter was delicious but small for the price. Overall it was an ok experience, Great place for a date. read more

Wine Experience Dana Point - Cheese and meat platter - Cheese Shops Near Me - Dana Point, California

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An intimate wine experience to relax and enjoy in an unhurried Dana Point! We came here to see what's in store and on a Saturday evening, it was buzzing with wine lovers. A great selection of wine and delicious food made us stay. The outdoor seating was comfortable. We had three kinds of food and each item was very tasty with red and white wine pairings of course! The Citrus Grove Beets & Burrata was fantastic! The creamy burrata was so soft and creamy it was hard to stop from eating. We had the plate cleaned out. The Coastal Mushroom Delight Flatbread suits its name. So good and delightful! Last but definitely not the least, the Meatballs with Stracciatella Cheese was swimming in a lovely marinara sauce. We had the plate cleaned out too! Our server was very nice and attentive. We will come back again for sure! read more

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We had a flatbread with our wine and it was delicious! Cool new idea of being able to sample different wines with a wine card loaded with as much funds as you'd like to spend for the evening. We came by during happy hour so our wine card went a long way! Staff were friendly. The shop is very full with wine displays and knowledgeable staff work with patrons to pick out their new favorite wine. Dogs are allowed on the patio which is typical for DP. No children allowed - even infants - just fyi if you're out and about with your littles. read more

Such a hidden gem, nice place to sit back and catch up with friends very unique experience. You can try wines from so many different regions there absolutely has to be something you have to like here. Stephen and Spencer were super helpful choosing out wines and experts in the field, they are happy to help find you the perfect taste. Can't wait to bring friends here! read more

Wine Experience Dana Point - Cheese Shops Near Me - Dana Point, California

Literally the best place in Dana point! The service is absolutely amazing and the food is to die for. The wine is so unique and changes every week and I literally will come back every day until I die. read more

The perfect wine bar! Fun, relaxing, great service. Cheese board was delicious. Can't wait to try it again! read more

Wine Experience Dana Point - Cheese Shops Near Me - Dana Point, California

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If you like tasting and wine in general this is the place. Over 28 different wines to go and taste and you can pour your own 1,3,5 ounce tastes at your own time and when you want! Many choices whites, reds ,rose. California and aboard countries. The food menu is outstanding as well. Great way to spend a few hours in the afternoon or dinner! I will be back! read more

This place is awesome. My wife has been wanting to stop by for months and we normally go to our regular place in the harbor. Today we stopped in with our e-bikes. I wish I would have stopped in earlier. Dozens and dozens of excellent wines. You can taste as little as one ounce pours and try wines before spending on the full bottle. I went for the 300$ bottle pour for 25$. Fantastic!!! All five people in my group tried different wines and we had such a great time. We also got flat bread dishes and cheese plates. We are now making this part of our regular bike tour stop. read more

Wine Experience Dana Point - Cheese Shops Near Me - Dana Point, California

This spot in Dana Point is the perfect mix of charm, relaxation, and great wine. The atmosphere is warm and inviting--casual enough to feel comfortable, but elevated enough to feel like a special night out. The wine selection is fantastic, with something for everyone--from crisp whites and bold reds to unique blends you don't usually find elsewhere. The staff really makes the experience stand out. They're knowledgeable without being pretentious and are happy to guide you through the list if you're not sure what to try. I especially appreciated how they took the time to explain pairings and made great recommendations. Whether you're stopping by for a date night, a gathering with friends, or just to unwind with a glass and watch the sunset near the harbor, this is definitely a place worth visiting. Great wine, great people, and a great vibe--everything you want in a wine spot. read more

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My wife, son and I tried out this stylish new wine bar and loved it. The wine is excellent and it's straightforward on how you get it. First, you load a card with a dollar amount that you want to start with, then you find the wine you want and the size (and price) you want, then you place the card on the card reader while you push the button. Be sure to keep the glass under the nozzle or the precious wine might go astray! (I saw that happen to another guest.) They also serve superb food --- not just charcuterie and cheese plates, although those do look good. We ordered three dishes: meatballs with stracciacella cheese; citrus grove beets and burrata; and the coastal mushroom delight flatbread. All were first rate. Flatbread in my experience is usually a hit or miss in most places: here it was a hit with lots of mushrooms and cheese and nicely toasted, crisp bread. The citrus grove beets had lots of fresh beets, lots of fresh arugula and lots of creamy and delicious burrata cheese. The meatballs with stracciacella cheese was also a filling excellent dish. The night we were there two very busy gentlemen were serving a packed restaurant space. We sat outside and it was very pleasant. This really is a first rate wine place. And if you or a friend of yours doesn't happen to be into wine, the food is wonderful too. (And of course they sell wine retail.) (FYI, parking is pretty easy in this part of Dana Point.) read more

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I randomly walked in here on Saturday afternoon and was greeted by the really nice person who was working there and he helped show me how the system worked and shared their amazing menu. I really enjoyed the experience. I would highly recommend and will definitely be going back. read more

The Wine Experience Dana Point!...so excited about this place! I've been a few times now--once just with a friend and once with a larger group--and and both visits have been wonderful. The sommeliers and staff are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to help you discover something new. The chef is truly talented--the food (entrees and charcuterie boards) are delicious and pair perfectly with the wines. One of the highlights is their wine dispensing machines. You load up a reusable card and can choose to sample, enjoy a half glass, or go for a full pour. It makes wine tasting fun, interactive, and easy to explore different bottles. They also offer champagne, which is such a nice addition. The space itself is beautiful with a welcoming atmosphere, great views, and a relaxing outdoor patio. Dana Point has been needing something like this, and we're so glad our friends brought their vision to life here. We already have plans to go back! read more

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Great ambiance. They know everything anyone can ever know about wine. Everyone is so very nice. An excellent experience of wine tasting and variety of wines. It is amazing. The food is absolutely delicious. You must have the chocolate desserts. It is an out of this world experience. Looking forward to the next time. read more

Great place to visit. Tao card and wine by the ounce and priced right. Owner shared the details and away you pour! Excellent selections of Français, Italiano read more

Wow. I was blown away by their service and generosity. The staff really enjoys sharing great tasting wine, interesting facts and tasty snacts. :) We have the charcuterie plate, which was fantastic with a spicy jam, roasted nuts, and the tastiest meat. We also got a flatbread that I was skeptical about at first, but it also blew me away. I feel like there's so much bullshit in the world, but this was the real deal. I came with a friend. Will definitely bring back the wife and other friends in the future and my dog. They even brought water in a treat for my dog. Salud! read more

absolutely amazing. I tried wines I've never tasted before. the meats and cheeses were incredibly high quality. the best part is the ambience and the staff! everyone was so friendly and you can tell a lot of people have become regulars! Would definitely come back. Very luxury vibe! read more

Meh, no paper menu you need to use the QR code. Owner seemed a bit smug. Employee was very knowledgeable regarding the offerings. I was disappointed to not find a unique wine to retaste. I'll give it another try read more

Wine Experience Dana Point Stopped by and had an AMAZING time meeting the owners of this incredible wine tasting bar/restaurant and meeting the wonderful owners! Mike and Steve. And their sommelier, Marissa: soo knowledgeable! What a cool vibe and they have some of the BEST wines. Happy hour from 4-6. And not only do they have a wonderful selection of items to create a charcuterie boards, but they have a Michelin Chef! Gabby . They have wonderful dinner items. And big does Lee know his wines and cheeses and meats! Their official opening is this Friday at noon with a ribbon cutting. I'm SURE this wine place will become everyone's soon to be favorite. read more

What a great addition to Dana Point! This Bottle shop/Wine Bar has a great selection of both Domestic and European wines. This is important because not everyone has the same palate and finding a place that caters to all makes it an easier choice. Ample Seating both inside and out. The wine machines are great because you can taste a few things before you commit to a glass. Entry level and high end choices are available in white, red and sparkling wines. Did I mention the food?! The gourmet cheese plate was great. Pretzel bites, lobster rollls as well as other wine friendly food were available at a great price. If I lived closer, I would be a permanent fixture at this place! read more

New wine bar in Dana Pointe. Mike Davis and his staff did not disappoint. Great location and with very hip vibes. Wine selection is awesome and has a great happy hour. The small share plates were perfect with our wine. We also joined their wine club which is reasonable and comes with additional benefits when we visit. My wife Linda and I enjoyed ourselves. We definitely will be back soon. read more

The hubby and I didn't know much about wine, but we had a great time learning about new wine and pairings from the sommeliers and cheese monger. I liked the whole concept of being able to try new wines with the reloadable card at the wine dispenser bar area. You load money onto a card, they give you a wine glasses, and then you can choose just a sample, half a glass, or if you really like a wine, have a whole glass or buy the bottle. There are wines for all price points, from several samples under $2, to $8+ glasses of wine. Had the pretzel, cheese and sausage plate. The sausage was amazing. Also had their meat and cheese board, and the goat and blue cheese we had were great. The service was also very attentive, but we went in the afternoon when it wasn't busy. Great place for wine and small bites. Joined the wine club to keep up with all the new and exclusive releases, especially since the wine they gave was worth more than the cost of the club. I'd go again whenever I'm in the area. read more

Great addition to DP. Fantastic selection of wines and good food options. We'll be back! read more

Wine Experience Dana Point - Burrata & Tomato app - Cheese Shops Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Great wine selection, super friendly and knowledgeable staff, small family business in a beautiful location. We love the opportunity to explore the always changing wine selection. We love the great advice and expertise from the team!! The biggest surprise is the delicious food! Gourmet food at realistic prices! read more

I was able to host an awesome surprise birthday party for one of my friends thanks to the wonderful team at Wine Experience in Dana Point. Karla and Steven, two of the owners, provided great help in planning and executing the event for ten people. The food was well selected, timed and presented and the wine "experience" was fun for every guest. A special shout out to Spencer who helped Steven keep food and water flowing and providing advice at the wine stations. I've never received so many compliments from the guests after an event. Definitely give Wine Experience a try! read more

Wine Experience Dana Point - Cheese Shops Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Wonderful wine experience! My friends and I enjoyed a lovely afternoon tasting wine and tasting charcuterie! Spencer was so attentive and knowledgeable about wine and food! Highly recommend! read more

Excellent food, great wine selection, and truly outstanding service. Friendly, knowledgeable staff and welcoming atmosphere. Highly recommend. read more

My friend and I were in Dana Point this past Sunday enjoying breakfast when we caught word that a new tasting room had just opened less than a block away. Naturally, we had to check it out--and wow, were we glad we did! The moment we walked into Wine Experience, I felt my whole mood shift into pure relaxation. The space is light and airy with big windows overlooking the ocean and passersby--perfect for a people-watcher like me. What makes this spot truly unique is their wine dispensing machine, which lets you choose a sip, a pour, or a full glass. It's such a fun way to explore different wines before committing to a bottle. My friend was craving reds that day, while the heat had me in the mood for crisp whites. Luckily, Mike--the owner, who we actually recognized from another establishment--was right there with excellent recommendations. He had about eight whites available in the machine, alongside plenty of reds, so we both found exactly what we wanted. We were having such a great time that we ended up staying until our husbands came to pick us up. By then, we needed a little food, so we split their short-rib dinner with garlic mash. Let me tell you, I woke up the next morning dreaming about that dish. It was so good that my husband and I are already planning to return this week just for that meal alone. They also have a lovely little outdoor patio, along with a mix of high-top and low-top tables inside that make the whole place feel cozy. And the best part is you never feel cooped up--the windows stretch from floor to ceiling, framing a beautiful view of Dana Point. If you're looking for a place with a cool, relaxed vibe, outstanding wine options, and background music at just the right volume so you can actually hear yourself think, Wine Experience is a must. It's fun, welcoming, and the kind of spot you don't want to leave. I was so impressed that I even joined their wine club. Trust me--go check it out. You won't be sorry! read more