Why you should visit Malibu wineries in California
This blog post covers the three best Malibu wineries and wine bars. These Malibu wineries and wine bars are either located in the town of Malibu or a short drive from the center of town.
Malibu is beautiful and Malibu wineries are no exception.
Malibu boasts miles of coastline dotted by sandy beaches and high peaks that slope into deep canyons. These canyons – and the acres of vineyards that pepper the landscape – make up Malibu wine country.
A combination of elevation and coastal fog and wind create microclimates within the Santa Monica Mountains. Some microclimates are ideal for growing cool climate grapes and others support warm climate grapes. The area is also home to rich volcanic soil. Altogether it’s a recipe for fabulous grapes and stellar wines.
But Malibu wine country is small. Most Malibu wineries don’t even have tasting rooms! So you won’t find a huge range of wines like you would in Sonoma or Napa. But you will find fun wines made from grapes grown in local vineyards by winemakers who love this land.
I’ve chosen these three Malibu wineries and wine bars because they either make the best local wines or they maintain a local tasting room (or both!). These businesses are different from one another yet they all offer the same thing: delicious wine.
How to access Malibu wineries
The Malibu wineries on this list are relatively easy to access.
If you already live in the Los Angeles area, then you’re in luck. Malibu is an easy drive from most places in LA. Of course “easy” is a relative term.
When I say it’s an “easy” drive I mean it’s easy if you’re accustomed to (a) driving in big cities during rush hour and (b) driving coastal roads and (c) driving small mountain roads.
If you’re not from the LA area then you’ll need to fly into an airport, rent a car, and drive from the airport to these wineries.
The nearest airports include Los Angeles (LAX), Burbank (BUR), Long Beach (LGB), and Santa Ana (SNA). All of these airports have their pros and cons. The Los Angeles Airport (LAX) has the highest number of flights per day, so you’re sure to find something that will work for you.
The best Malibu wineries for a wine tasting
Rosenthal Winery
If your idea of the ideal Malibu winery involved ocean views, this is the best place for you.
Rosenthal Wine Bar has views of the Pacific Ocean from their garden patio. You can even take a walk on the beach after your wine tasting. It doesn’t get better than that!
Technically Rosenthal Winery has two locations: an estate vineyard and a wine bar.
Unfortunately their estate vineyard in Newton Canyon is closed to the public. Luckily their wine bar in Malibu is open to anyone. The lively wine bar serves a full selection of Rosenthal and Surfrider wines by the flight, glass, and bottle.
The Rosenthal estate grows grape varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Viognier. They craft Malibu estate wines from these carefully grown grapes. If a bottle of wine says “Rosenthal” that means 100% of the grapes were sourced from their Malibu estate located in the Malibu Newton Canyon AVA. These are true Malibu wines!
If a wine bottle has a Surfrider label that means the grapes were sourced from vineyards across California. For example, the Surfrider label includes Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma and Chardonnay from the Central Coast.
On Saturdays and Sundays Rosenthal Winery has food trucks. But you can also bring your own picnic to enjoy. It’s also important to note that Saturdays and Sundays are strictly for adults (individuals 21 and over).
The Rosenthal tasting room is open Wednesday through Friday from 12-7 PM. On Saturdays they’re open from 11 AM to 8 PM. On Sundays they close an hour earlier at 7 PM. The bar is closed Monday and Tuesday. Rosenthal wine bar reservations are recommended on weekends, but not required.
The wine bar hosts a range of events from live music concerts to comedy nights to speed dating events. Be sure to check the wine bar calendar for upcoming events.
Cornell Wine Co.
If you’re a wine connoisseur who would prefer to enjoy a large range of wines (as opposed to wines from just one maker) then this place is for you.
Cornell Wine Co. (formerly known as Cornell Winery) is a wine bar and store nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains. They sell three things: wine, art, and goods from local vendors.
They offer wine tastings, wine by the glass, and wine by the bottle.
Cornell Wine Co. has two different tastings: the “Signature Tasting” and the “Trio Tasting.”
The Trio Tasting is the more casual option. The Trio Tasting costs $30 per person and includes a choice of three wines from the tasting menu. Guests can enjoy the Trio Tasting in the wine-tasting room indoors or outside at a table. The wine bar does not require reservations for the Trio Tasting, so you can simply walk up to the bar and begin.
The Signature Tasting is a bit more involved. Cornell Wine Co. requires reservations for this experience, which is only available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The Signature Tasting costs $60 per person and lasts for two hours. The fee includes a wine specialist who will lead you through a tasting of seven different wines. You can book a Signature Tasting via the Cornell Wine Co. Tock profile.
Meat, cheese, and other snacks are available for purchase from the shop’s General Store. But you’re extra hungry, you’re in luck. Cornell Wine Co. is located next to the Old Place restaurant. This saloon-style restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Cielo Farms
If you’re looking for a winery with amazing views, this is it.
Cielo Farms is a gorgeous property located in the rolling hills of Malibu. A Tuscan-style stone barn anchors the property, which has panoramic views of the lush landscape and rolling hills. Silvery olive trees, a green lawn, and plenty of outdoor seating add to the ambiance.
Cielo Farms offers two tasting experiences. You can opt for a “Wine Bar Day Pass” or a “Picnic at The Trail.”
Tasting Option #1: the Wine bar DAy Pass
If you’d like to visit Cielo Farms, your first option is to buy a “Wine Bar Day Pass.” This is also called a “Cielo Farms Day Pass.” Same thing.
The Cielo Farms wine bar is located inside the Tuscan-style stone barn. It’s called The Barn Tasting Room. An appropriate name.
The Wine Bar Day Pass costs $35 per person if you are not a wine club member. Just to be clear, this day pass simply gets you through the door. The pass does not include wine or reserved seating. Once you’re inside the Wine Bar you can order a variety of wines by the glass, bottle, or flight.
You can preorder your Cielo Farms Day Pass on the Cielo Farms Tock profile. Again, just to be super duper clear, you must make a reservation if you want to visit Cielo Farms.
Tasting Option #2: Picnic at The Trail
If you’d like to visit Cielo Farms your second option is to book a “Picnic at The Trail.”
Picnic at The Trail is a guided wine tasting experience. The experience runs three hours and is only available on Saturdays. This experience costs $99 per person and includes tastes of five wines and a souvenir wine glass. You can book this experience on the Cielo Farms Tock profile.
I feel I need to be very clear about the name of this tasting. Yes, they call it a picnic. However, you must bring your own picnic. They will not provide you with a picnic. Cielo Farms encourages guests to bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks since food will not be available to purchase. But hey, at least you’ll get complimentary valet parking!
If you choose to do a Picnic at The Trail I’d highly advise you stop somewhere in town and pick up a portable lunch of sandwiches, chips, and sparkling waters. John’s Garden has solid sandwiches; they’re located in the Country Mart outdoor mall.
There are a few more things to note about food and parking.
Cielo Farms offers live music every Thursday. You can check out their Live Music At The Barn schedule online.
Cielo Farms does not allow outside food unless you book a Picnic at The Trail (see above). Instead they offer charcuterie boards during the week and wood-fired pizzas on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
There’s also a $19 parking fee Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The parking fee is waived for those who book a Picnic at The Trail experience, which happens Saturdays. If you’d like to avoid the parking fee then I suggest you avoid visiting on the weekend.
Cielo Farms is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1–8 PM. They’re open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3–8 PM. The winery is closed Tuesdays.
Similar wine regions to explore
Many people recognize California as the premier wine growing state within the United States. There’s so much to explore within California, whether you stick to Southern and Central California (Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez) or whether you venture further north.
If you’re ready to explore we’ve got you covered.
Los Olivos, California is a quaint town nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County. Malibu is 117 miles from downtown Los Olivos. In theory the drive should take less than 2.5 hours (but knowing SoCal traffic it could take longer). We’ve made a list of the best Los Olivos, California wineries that make organic wines. If you like organic wine you should definitely go.
Also, if you’re already in Malibu then you must visit LA. We’ve compiled a list of the best wineries Los Angeles has to offer.
Auburn, California is a charming town nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California. The best Auburn wineries have great wine, good views, and plenty of outdoor seating.
Nevada City and the neighboring town of Grass Valley are also located in the Sierra Foothills. Victorian-era homes, tree lined streets, and award-winning wines infuse these Nevada City wineries with charm and history.
Walnut Creek, California is a tiny town with a big heart located at the base of Mount Diablo. The best wineries Walnut Creek has to offer are less popular than their well known counterparts in Napa Valley, but they make award-winning wines nonetheless.
