Where to sip and swirl from San Juan Capistrano to Anaheim.
DOCENT BREWING – San Juan Capistrano’s first brewery and public house, Docent Brewing Co. takes pride in crafting high quality, balanced and easily drinkable artisan beers brewed with the freshest ingredients. Sample standout sips in their sleek tasting room (try the Grandpappy, a dark chocolate, graham cracker, dried cherry and espresso-flavored imperial stout with a stiff 9.5% abv to boot), accompanied by a food menu inspired by all things fermented, including a Korean Rueben with house kimchi, citrus pork quesadilla with pickled onions, or house fermented veggies for snacking.
THE WINE LAB – Located in Costa Mesa’s uber-hip, eco-friendly retail campus The Camp, this science-themed wine outpost was recently named Best Wine Bar by OC Weekly. Offering over 70 wines by the glass (and over 400 bottles, all of which may be opened at the bar), plus a rotating selection of tasting flights and winery events, Wine Lab is dedicated to helping wine lovers and newbies alike discover and learn all there is to know about wine. The shop also offers craft beers on tap, artisan cheese platters and tapas to enjoy while you sip and swirl.
ANAHEIM BREWERY – Situated in the heart of Anaheim’s historic Packing District, this revived, pre-Prohibition brewery features a small Tasting Room and Beer Garden with a focus on taste and quality over what’s trending. Their airy Tasting Room, with its 30-foot long vintage wood bar (salvaged from the late Covered Wagon Saloon) and views of the steel brewery tanks, offers a throwback, Old Anaheim vibe, while the 100-seat Beer Garden is the perfect place to enjoy a cold one with your crew—four legged friends included.
BOTTLE LOGIC BREWING – Brewing beers “for people with curious minds and adventurous palates,” this Anaheim-based brewery offers four series’ of brews to choose from, including Hoptomotron, an exploration into the interaction of hops, malt, water and yeast, and Proto, a “mad-scientist approach” to interesting styles of beer. Their dog-friendly, all ages tasting room offers beer lovers a place to sample the latest varieties and get a peek behind the breweries curtain.
THE WINERY RESTAURANT & WINE BAR – Showcasing breathtaking views of Newport Harbor, this sophisticated restaurant and wine bar pairs delicious, contemporary California cuisine with an impressive wine list offering 650 rotating selections from around the world. Guests are invited to tour the restaurant’s climate-controlled cellars and participate in special wine dinners, pairing glasses from a participating winery with a curated price fixed menu.
CAPISTRANO WINERY – Voted winner of 17 “Best of San Juan Capistrano” awards, Rancho Capistrano Winery is Orange County’s largest winery, having created over 40 different wines from grape growing regions around the world. A destination in itself, their popular, namesake restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy your favorite blend, complete with a massive outdoor patio, fireplace and rustic teak tables to set the mood.
