A Guide from William Jones, Certified Mixologist
The best places to taste wine and spirits across Southern California — organized by region, from Temecula wine country to the craft distilleries of San Diego and Los Angeles.
Southern California is home to one of the most diverse and underrated wine and spirits scenes in the country. From the rolling vineyards of Temecula to the funky craft distilleries of Downtown LA, the region produces world-class bottles and offers some of the most welcoming tasting experiences in California.
This guide is curated from William's experience bartending events across SoCal — these are the venues his clients visit, the bottles he pours, and the producers he respects. Each one opens in a new tab so you don't lose your place.
Hosting an event at or near one of these venues? William is available to provide professional mobile bartending throughout Southern California. Contact him here.
Wine Country
Temecula is Southern California's premier wine country — nearly 40 wineries spread across warm rolling hills just 90 minutes from Los Angeles and an hour from San Diego. The region excels at bold reds (Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet) and aromatic whites (Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc), and most estates offer tasting rooms, events, and stunning valley views.
🍷 Wineries & Vineyards
📍 Temecula
One of Temecula's most iconic estates, famous for their sparkling almond wine and a welcoming atmosphere that's equally suited to seasoned wine lovers and first-timers. A perennial favorite for events and wine tours.
Visit Website📍 Temecula
A 63-acre award-winning estate and Wine Spectator Award of Excellence recipient. South Coast offers a full resort experience alongside exceptional wine production — one of Temecula's most prestigious addresses.
Visit Website📍 Temecula
One of Temecula's pioneering estates, Callaway has been crafting wines in the valley since the 1970s. Known for consistent quality, beautiful grounds, and one of the best restaurant views in the region.
Visit Website📍 Temecula
A boutique, food-forward winery known for pairing wine with artisan cheese and charcuterie. Miramonte has a devoted following for its intimate atmosphere and consistent quality across their red and white lineup.
Visit Website📍 Temecula
A family-owned Argentinian-inspired winery with a passion for Malbec and a legendary motorcycle collection on display in the tasting room. One of the most unique and memorable winery experiences in SoCal.
Visit Website📍 Temecula
Known for live music, a vibrant tasting room atmosphere, and approachable wines. Lorimar is a popular destination for groups and weekend visitors looking for a lively, social wine experience.
Visit Website📍 Temecula
Three distinct European-themed tasting experiences — French, Spanish, and Italian — on one stunning property. Europa Village consistently earns top ratings for both wine quality and overall experience.
Visit Website📍 Temecula
A family winery celebrated for big, bold reds and exceptional Zinfandels. Wiens has earned a loyal following among serious wine lovers for their honest, terroir-driven approach to winemaking.
Visit WebsiteWilliam's Note: Temecula is one of the most active event markets in SoCal — estate weddings, corporate retreats, and private tastings happen here year-round. William is available to provide professional mobile bartending at Temecula venues and throughout Riverside County. See the Riverside service area.
Wine Country
Santa Barbara County is home to more than 200 wineries across seven distinct American Viticultural Areas — from the cool-climate Sta. Rita Hills (exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) to the warmer Happy Canyon (Bordeaux-style reds). It's one of California's most exciting wine regions and the setting of the film Sideways.
🍷 Wineries & Vineyards
📍 Los Olivos
A landmark Santa Barbara winery founded by the legendary actor. Fess Parker produces exceptional Rhône varietals and Pinot Noir on a beautiful estate in the Santa Ynez Valley, with a welcoming tasting room and picnic grounds.
Visit Website📍 Los Olivos
One of the Santa Ynez Valley's founding wineries, Firestone has been a benchmark producer since 1972. Known for approachable, food-friendly wines and one of the valley's most impressive tasting room facilities.
Visit Website📍 Santa Maria Valley
A cult favorite among California wine insiders, Foxen produces benchmark Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rhône blends from some of Santa Barbara's most sought-after vineyards. Understated and exceptional.
Visit Website📍 Santa Ynez
A beautiful family estate producing elegant wines from both the Santa Ynez and Sta. Rita Hills AVAs. Gainey is known for exceptional Riesling and Pinot Noir, plus one of the most scenic tasting rooms in the valley.
Visit Website📍 Lompoc (Sta. Rita Hills)
Situated in the cool Sta. Rita Hills AVA, Melville is widely regarded as producing some of California's finest Pinot Noir and Syrah. An estate winery committed to minimal-intervention farming and exceptional quality.
Visit Website📍 Santa Ynez
A certified organic estate with a stunning Provençal-style stone winery and caves. Sunstone is one of Santa Barbara's most photographed properties and produces elegant Bordeaux-style wines and Rhône blends.
Visit WebsiteWineries & Distilleries
LA's urban wine and spirits scene punches well above its weight. The Arts District and Downtown are home to some of the most creative craft distilleries in the country, while Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains host hidden estate wineries with spectacular coastal views.
🍷 Wineries
📍 Los Angeles (Lincoln Heights)
The oldest producing winery in Los Angeles, founded in 1917. San Antonio has survived Prohibition, two World Wars, and LA's urban sprawl to become a beloved local institution with a full restaurant and tasting room in the heart of the city.
Visit Website📍 Malibu (Saddlerock Ranch)
A stunning 1,000-acre ranch winery in the Santa Monica Mountains with roaming animals, sweeping views, and exceptional estate wines. One of the most unique and photogenic wine experiences in Southern California.
Visit Website🥃 Craft Distilleries
📍 Los Angeles (Arts District)
Named the world's best distillery tour by Drinks International. Lost Spirits combines cutting-edge accelerated aging technology with an immersive, theatrical tasting experience unlike anything else in California. A must-visit for spirits lovers.
Visit Website📍 Los Angeles (Arts District)
One of the largest craft distilleries on the West Coast, Greenbar produces an impressive range of certified organic spirits — gin, vodka, rum, whiskey, tequila, and amaro — all from sustainably sourced ingredients.
Visit Website📍 Hollywood
A boutique distillery in the heart of Hollywood producing small-batch vodka, gin, and whiskey with a distinctly LA spirit. Offers tours and tastings with a behind-the-scenes look at the craft distillation process.
Visit WebsiteWilliam's Note: LA's Arts District has become a genuine craft spirits destination. William regularly sources inspiration from Greenbar and Lost Spirits for event menus — their products are excellent for guided tastings at private events. See the Los Angeles service area.
Distilleries
Orange County's craft spirits scene has grown significantly in recent years, with a cluster of innovative grain-to-bottle distilleries producing whiskey, vodka, and gin from quality local ingredients.
🥃 Craft Distilleries
📍 Santa Ana
Orange County's first craft distillery, producing award-winning grain-to-glass spirits including vodka, gin, and whiskey. Blinking Owl sources California-grown grains and offers one of the most educational tasting room experiences in SoCal.
Visit Website📍 Huntington Beach
A family-run distillery producing handcrafted vodka, gin, and whiskey in small batches. Four Sons embodies the craft spirit movement — personal, quality-focused, and deeply connected to the Orange County community.
Visit WebsiteDistilleries
San Diego has quietly become one of the best craft spirits cities in the country, with over 15 distilleries producing everything from award-winning rum to innovative botanical gins. The same spirit that built San Diego's legendary craft beer scene has now transformed its distillery landscape.
🥃 Craft Distilleries
📍 Miramar, San Diego
One of San Diego's most acclaimed distilleries, Cutwater produces a wide range of award-winning spirits including their famous Devil's Share Whiskey, Bali Hai Rum, and a full line of canned cocktails that have earned national recognition.
Visit Website📍 San Diego
A celebrated craft distillery known for their San Miguel South Western Gin — a botanically rich gin inspired by Baja California's coastline. Old Harbor's thoughtful approach to ingredient sourcing and flavor-first philosophy sets them apart.
Visit Website📍 San Diego
Malahat specializes in premium rums crafted with Caribbean molasses and aged in American oak. Their lineup is a favorite among bartenders for its depth and mixing versatility — William has poured Malahat rum at multiple SoCal events.
Visit WebsiteWilliam's Note: San Diego's spirits scene is genuinely world-class. When building event cocktail menus for San Diego clients, William frequently incorporates local producers — it adds a personal, regional touch guests always appreciate. See the San Diego service area.
Wineries & Distilleries
Ventura County offers a quieter, less-visited wine and spirits experience — intimate tasting rooms, farm-based distilleries, and producers focused on quality over volume. It's one of SoCal's most underrated destinations for serious enthusiasts.
🥃 Craft Distilleries
📍 Ventura
A pioneering California craft distillery using locally foraged and farmed botanicals to create genuinely distinctive spirits. Their Wilder Gin — made with native California plants — is one of the most original gins produced in the state.
Visit WebsiteWilliam's Note: Ventura Spirits' Wilder Gin is one of William's personal favorites for events in the region — the California botanical profile pairs beautifully with citrus-forward cocktails and always sparks conversation. See the Ventura service area.
William provides professional mobile bartending at wineries, distilleries, and private estates across all of Southern California. Contact him to discuss your event.
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