Before the Date…
“I’ve actually never been wine tasting.” A shock hits your system as a close friend announces this casually. With the world in lockdown and no way you’ll be spending a night at a hotel anytime soon, a weekend sipping the red to excess is far out of reach. What’s a fan of a good old fashioned wine tasting weekend supposed to do? Turn downtown Santa Monica into a world-class wine tasting destination of course. Travel from California small producers to underground Italian varietals before ending your afternoon sipping wines of Provence while dining at a Southern France beauty.
So reach out to your favorite wino friends and prepare for a new kind of wine country. #santamonicavalley
Covid Rating: 6/10
St0p #1: 4 pm
Small Vineyard Producer
selections on an art deco patio
What to Know
Esters was created out of a passing conversation between Rustic Canyon Owner Josh Loeb and the group’s Wine Director Kathryn Coker while training for the LA Marathon: “Wouldn’t it be great to have a place in Santa Monica where you could hang out, get a bite to eat and buy wine?” The rest is history.
Where’s the name from? It refers to the organic acids that are created during fermentation which create those unique smells or “perfumes” of the wine. Mmm is that garden hose or pineapple?
You’ll be arriving as they open up for happy hour which is every day from 4-6 pm. Curated small vineyard wines are $9, beer is $5, and food ranges from $13-18.
Feeling like a bite? Try the VIP snacks (especially the lavender almonds) or 1/2 dozen oysters.
Any bottle from the inside shop can be purchased for consuming on the patio for a $15 corkage fee.
Bonus stop: If you’d like to extend your wine drinking tour start with a glass on the sidewalk of Bodega Wine Bar at 3 pm before heading to Esters.
St0p #2: 5:15 pm
Italian Varietals
to have true al fresco dining
What to Know
Quick to fame in their inaugural year in 2019 with their stacked OMG sandwich from Chef Barbara Pollastrini and Jeff Merrihue. They may claim to have the best sandwich in town but today you’re here for the Italian wine.
The set is purely al fresco dining on the street in their white booths. The buses do come by from time to time. It’s exciting but if you’re sensitive to noise try the tables in the alley.
Happy hour is every day from 5-6:30 pm with curated $9 Italian wines and $8-10 bites like shrimp scallopini and meatballs.
If you have a chance to catch the owner Jeff it’s worth having a chat. He’s a character and loves his Italian wine…and of course sandwiches.
St0p #3: 6:00 pm
Southern France Vibes
on a stylish front patio
What to Know
Reservations are highly suggested, especially on prime time nights. You’ll be arriving at this French gem before the rush however it’s good to request a table as close to the sidewalk as possible.
What’s in the name? Massilia is another name for the French city of Marseille, the theme of this restaurant. It’s France’s second-largest city in the Gulf of Lions, very close to Italy. Having been founded by the Greeks in 600 BC the culture/food touches on Moroccan, French, and Italian tastes. All of what you’ll see on the menu.
What to order? Two veggies, a pasta dish, and an entree work well for 3-4 people. Try the wild mushrooms, ratatouille, and 8-hour lamb shank.
To keep the Marseille theme alive the wines of the region for Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur are mainly Côtes de Provence(rosé) and influences of Côtes du Rhône(red). Incredibly, the Provence region has been growing grapes for over 2600 years making it the oldest wine in France!