FROM LEFT : COURTESY OF MCCLAIN CELLARS ; COURTESY OF SELANNE STEAK TAVERN |
At Bianchi , one of their goals is taking the stuffiness out of winemaking . Because the town deals in more casual luxury , the tasting room was created to match , designed to feel like you ’ re at home with friends or family .
CRAFT & CELLAR The most recent space to join Laguna ’ s lineup is Wine Craft , a unique venture that marries — you guessed it — wine tasting and crafting . “ It really fits Laguna ,” says Doug Vogel , who founded the business with his wife , Angelica . “… Something that tourists can do , something that ’ s artistic and also kind of mixing with the great culinary presence that we have in town .”
As the only wine tasting room in town not associated with a winery , they are free to change up their offerings . Vogel says they carry around 30 wines at once — very low production wines and types people may not have heard of before from places like Mexico , Napa Valley , South America and Europe .
As far as crafting goes , there are a few dozen projects to choose from — just step up to the shelves and find one that ’ s perfect for you . Supplies and any necessary assistance are included . Pair your craft with tastings , wine by the glass or bottle , or a cheese plate . In addition , Wine Craft hosts interactive
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workshops , wine pairing dinners , winemaker events and more . The business is philanthropically minded , too , with proceeds from some of the crafts benefiting various charities and large-scale donations ensuring that children , like those at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach , have access to artful crafts .
SIP AND SAVOR A number of local restaurants are big players in the wine game too , especially Selanne Steak Tavern , which has earned a Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine for its vino curation for six consecutive years .
“ We taste and collaborate as a team to find the best quality wines available and the selections that pair best with our hearty cuisine ,” says Vito Pasquale , Selanne ’ s wine director and sommelier . “ Since we are a steakhouse , big bold cabernets usually take center stage .”
Pasquale recommends trying the dryaged , bone-in rib-eye steak with a savory red , like a syrah or a bottle from Rioja , Spain , as well as the Pacific diver scallop appetizer paired with a German riesling .
“ When our guests find a wine they love , that absolutely adds another layer of beauty to their experience with us and that ’ s the ultimate goal ,” Pasquale adds .
Another local spot , Wine Gallery , serves
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as a combination wine bar and eatery , with a menu designed around its wood-fired oven . More than half of the wines sold come from California while the rest are from popular European regions like Italy , Spain and France .
“ I do bimonthly wine tastings , and I pour five wines from a specific supplier or importer or winery , and then I pick one or two and put them on the list ,” says owner Chris Olsen . “ I taste probably 50 to 60 wines a week .”
With about 25 by-the-glass options and an additional secret , off-the-menu list , Wine Gallery is a great place to try a sampling of varietals while enjoying tasty snacks . For wine tasting , Olsen recommends the charcuterie and cheese board , which come with three meats , three cheeses and other goodies , or the sweet-and-savory fig and date bruschetta , topped with whipped goat cheese , fig jam , dates and a balsamic reduction . But he says you can ’ t go wrong with any of the menu items , noting , “ There ’ s a wine for every dish we have on our menu .”
In addition to the wine tastings , stop by for wine dinners , sommelier events and more . “ We try to be a little different . We have some of the mainstream stuff and then some unique , eclectic varietals that no one else is pouring ,” Olsen says .
You ’ ll also find specialized vino offerings
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LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE 55 |