You don’t have to travel to Napa or Sonoma Counties to find good wine. Situated between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Malibu enjoys a thriving wine scene thanks to ​​its ideal climate, diverse growing conditions, and rich soil. For this reason, there are a plethora of vineyards and wine bars in Malibu that offer delectable wine and spectacular views. To help you navigate your way, we have rounded up the best vineyards and wine bars in Malibu. Bookmark this guide for your next wine outing! Here are the coastal city’s finest vineyards and wine bars.

• The Barn at Cielo Farms

The Barn at Cielo Farms offers panoramic vistas of the majestic Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It is well-loved for its lively ambiance, awe-inspiring setting, and delicious wine. While their wines are excellent, it’s the surrounding natural landscape that’s truly magical. The Barn hosts a plethora of experiences for guests, such as wine tasting, dining, and live music performances. Guests can taste more than 20 Cielo Farms wines made using grapes grown on-site. They can also indulge in delectable food offerings, including cheese plates, charcuterie boards, and wood-fired pizzas. 

At The Barn, I tried the White Rabbit Flight, which features wines from their Woodstock and Cielo Estate collections. This tasting includes one rosé and three whites—Cielo Estate Rosé, White Rabbit Chardonnay, Honey Pie, and Cielo Estate Viognier. My favorite was the White Rabbit Chardonnay, which was perfectly balanced between refreshing acidity and rich, flavorful notes of citrus. I also enjoyed the ​​Diavola Pizza featuring San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil, calabrese, and spicy pickled Fresno peppers. The White Rabbit Flight is priced at $50 and the Diavola Pizza costs $29. The Barn at Cielo Farms is perfect for a celebration such as birthdays and anniversaries. On the weekends, reservations are highly recommended as it gets quite busy. 

• Cornell Wine Co.

This intimate, family-run wine bar and store is situated in the picturesque Santa Monica Mountains. The indoor and outdoor venue retails unique, story-driven wines from local and international vineyards. Cornell Wine Co. currently offers wine tastings, with wine by the bottle or the glass. Additionally, they host comedy shows, live music performances, and retail art and goods from local vendors. Their comedy shows and musical performances, which are typically held on weekends, are worth checking out!

I highly recommend Cornell’s Signature Tasting, where one of their expert wine specialists will guide you through seven delicious wines. They also serve meats, cheeses, and snacks, which you can add to your reservation for the complete tasting experience. For a more casual tasting, opt for the Trio Tasting. For this experience, you can choose three wines from their tasting menu and enjoy your flight in their tasting room if room is available or anywhere outside, at their alfresco dining area. The Signature Wine Tastings ($60 per person) are offered on Saturday and Sunday between 12:00 pm and 5:30 pm. You can grab the Trio Tasting ($25 per person) anytime they are open. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot a peacock wandering around the premises! 

• Malibu Wines at Saddlerock Ranch

A sprawling 1100-acre property, Saddlerock Ranch is renowned for its high grape yields, breathtaking vistas, and distinctive experiences. Located in the San Fernando Valley, Saddlerock Ranch is the home vineyard of Malibu Wines. They cultivate grapes and produce wines on the property. Guests can visit their tasting room in the ​​​​San Fernando Valley or enjoy a scenic hike or wine tour through the vineyard in Malibu. Malibu Wines & Beer Garden is a historic building turned tasting room serving Saddlerock and Saddlerock Estate wines and local craft beer.

In Malibu, visitors can choose from Saddlerock Ranch’s trio of wine tours, each offering a one-of-a-kind way to savor their wines. I suggest going on their Wine Hiking Tour. ​​Guests walk through the vineyard and learn about the region’s history, the local flora and fauna, and the grapes grown on the property, along with tasting some of their best wines. Saddlerock Ranch’s Wine Hiking Tour costs $49 per person and takes about two hours. It’s a great way to both learn about the region and try some great wines. 

• Rosenthal – The Malibu Estate Vineyard 

Considered the first vineyard of Malibu, Rosenthal Malibu Estate Vineyard is located on a 250-acre property in Malibu. Locals and tourists frequent it for its lip-smacking wines, vibrant ambiance, and beautiful landscapes. The winery offers a range of award-winning wines. My top picks are Rosenthal’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. 

The vineyard’s tasting room is located on the Pacific Coast Highway and provides spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. I suggest dropping by their tasting room to try some of the best wines from their collection of Rosenthal and Surfrider wines. On the weekends, the tasting room offers ​​charcuterie cups and hosts food trucks, and you are welcome to bring your food as well. Rosenthal’s Wine Flight costs $30 per person and includes a tasting of five wines. Flights are available only indoors on the weekends.

Photo from Malibu Wines at Saddlerock Ranch.