EAT & DRINK SPECIAL SECTION : DESSERTS | BURGERS | WINE | BARBECUE

Mile 216 , a vino created by the Wine Gallery

at resorts like Montage Laguna Beach , where sommeliers Joshua Dryer and Gary Sullivan select classic wines from classic regions as well as more adventurous options .

“ Our goal is to offer something for everyone , from the guest who collects rare bottles while visiting far away regions to the diner who wants to quench their thirst with a wine from somewhere closer to home , like Santa Barbara ,” Sullivan explains .

Some of Montage ’ s most popular varietals include French wines like sauvignon blanc from Sancerre , pinot noir from Burgundy and cabernet sauvignon from Bordeaux in addition to California pinots and cabernets .

Wines at the resort are available by the glass or the bottle at The Loft , the poolside Mosaic Bar & Grille , The Lobby Lounge and through in-room dining . Some of Sullivan ’ s favorite pairings include the Japanese kampachi with the 2013 Austrian Alzinger riesling and the Baja fish tacos , paired with the 2021 Finca Jakue txakolin rose from Spain . Or , for something heartier , try a California zinfandel from Williams Selyem with the coffee-crusted prime New York steak .

However , he adds , “ Some would argue that the best pairing to wine isn ’ t food , but the scenery .” And that ’ s one thing Montage definitely has covered .

No matter where you choose to sip , Laguna Beach has become a playground for wine lovers looking to experiment with new flavors . g

BART ZANDBERGEN , founder of The Zandbergen Group and longtime Lagunan , spent many moments at local venues while studying to become a sommelier and now enjoys supporting a variety of businesses in town , including these eateries with stellar wine lists .

THE DRAKE : “ With live entertainment and a speakeasy vibe , this is an iconic spot to enjoy a casual meal or celebrate a special milestone . … [ Try the ] tuna tartare starter with gruner veltliner by Weixelbaum [ from ] Austria , the baby

gem Caesar salad with chablis [ from ] Domaine de la Meuliere [ in ] Burgundy , and the chile-lime-crusted steelhead salmon with Belle Glos ’ Clark & Telephone [ pinot noir from ] Santa Barbara County — not many restaurants offer Belle Glos by the glass .”

NIRVANA GRILLE : “ This wine country-inspired menu features many fresh , sustainable , local and free range items . … It is my casual go-to for healthy dining . … [ I recommend the ] Herbs de Provence organic chicken … with Honoro Vera merlot [ from ] Spain .”

Laguna resident TROY SMITH , an advanced sommelier , has more than 25 years of experience managing award-winning wine lists , having previously worked at a number of fivestar resorts and restaurants . Here are some of his favorite local wines .

ALESSA BY CHEF PIROZZI AND SALERNO BY CHEF PIROZZI : “ What sets these apart from the pack is the sheer volume of by-theglass selections . [ There are ] tons to choose from here — everything from Paso Robles cabernet to obscure Italian whites . It ’ s not often you see Greco di Tufo on a list at all , let alone offered by the glass .”

BROADWAY BY AMAR SANTANA : “ Domestic , imported , familiar , daring , affordable and trophy-worthy — this list has something for every taste and is a great reflection of the style of the food menu . Bonus points for being presented on an interactive tablet .”

OLIVER ’ S OSTERIA : “ As you ’ d expect , there ’ s a nice selection of Italian whites and reds here , but there ’ s also a bit of California wines , even featuring some by the glass . There ’ s a nice mix of price points and styles , and some decidedly fun things to try from lesser-known appellations for those willing to venture out a bit .”

BART ZANDBERGEN PHOTO : COBA IMAGES