Wine Lover's Guide
By Tara de Lis, City Editor
From a chic wine bar to a restaurant with a fine wine list, we've popped the cork on the best chardonnays and merlots in L.A.
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Valentino
3115 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
Widely hailed as the best wine list in the city--150,000 bottles strong and counting. -
Providence
5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Opting for quality over quantity, the list contains a managable selection of 400-plus bottles, many of which are first growth or come from small-ish boutique producers. -
Patina
141 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Not surprising that one of the best restaurants in the city also has one of the best wine lists in the city. -
Sona
401 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, CA
This foodie favorite houses over 20,000 bottles, serves 50 by the glass and offers two different tiers of wine pairings. -
Bastide
8475 Melrose Pl, Los Angeles, CA
The wine list here is a thing of legend--no longer exclusively French, it has expanded to include all the big names you'd expect from enigmatic owner Joe Pytka, including some in the five-figure range, as well as affordable little known gems from more obscure areas.
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A.O.C.
8022 W Third St, Los Angeles, CA
L.A.'s first true wine bar offers wines on tap and small feasts of gourmet cheeses, olives and meats. -
Monsieur Marcel Restaurant & Wine Bar
6333 W Third St, Los Angeles, CA
Elegant, inviting wine bar adds Parisian flair to the Farmers Market. -
Bodega Wine Bar
260 E Colorado Blvd Ste 208, Pasadena, CA
This sleek alternative to the Old Town scene is as hip and mellow as the wines served. -
Lou
724 N Vine St, Los Angeles, CA
Intimate Hancock Park wine bar boasts gourmet treats like "pig candy" and a well thought-out wine list. -
BottleRock
3847 Main St, Culver City, CA
Charming wine bar/retail space attracts eclectic crowd of artists and execs in gentrified Culver City. -
Tropicalia Brazilian Grill
1966 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Brazilian beats, tropical cuisine and elegant wine bar bring a touch of Carnival to Hillhurst's restaurant row. -
750 ml
227 S San Mateo Dr, San Mateo, CA
Wine lounge and retail store features eclectic selections from wineries with New World focus and small plates including cheeses and desserts.
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Il Capriccio on Vermont
1757 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Cozy trattoria offers fresh and faithfully prepared Italian fare in a pleasant neighborhood setting--not to mention free corkage. -
Cafe Bizou
14016 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA
One of the rare French--or at least French-inspired restaurants--to offer a corkage fee as low as $2. -
Cafe Pinot
700 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA
The Patina Group is known for it's free corkage policy at all non-flagship restaurants (i.e. excluding Patina itself, Leatherby's and Paperfish), and this downtown gem is no exception. -
Ruen Pair
5257 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
A little wine will help cut the spicy flavors at this traditional Thai Town joint--corkage is free but there's no stemware, only water glasses or plastic beer mugs. -
Caioti Pizza Cafe
4346 Tujunga Ave, Studio City, CA
There's no corkage fee for the crowds that pack in for slices of the original California pizza.
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Silver Lake Wine
2395 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Sleek wine shop with a boutique selection owned by Campanile's wine team. -
Wally's Wine and Spirits
2107 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
This liquor store carries Scotch that's old enough to vote, fine-aged rum and reliable table wine. -
Wine House
2311 Cotner Ave, Los Angeles, CA
A wine warehouse that caters to both aficionados and novices. -
The Wine Merchant
9467 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA
Where the wine-and-cheese crowd come to shop, socialize and laugh. -
Chronicle Wine Cellar
913 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA
A tiny shop for novices and collectors alike: no snobbery, great prices and excellent wines. -
Los Angeles Wine Company
4935 Mcconnell Ave Ste 8, Los Angeles, CA
It's hard to beat this libation warehouse's selection and prices. -
Woodland Hills Wine Co
22622 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA
Family-owned shop offers rare vintages, great bargains and in-store tastings.
