The Conejo Valley may seem far from civilization if you are living in Los Angeles, but--I’m here to tell you – do not sleep on the wine scene in Agoura Hills and Westlake Village. There are fabulous options for any wine lover. Ranging from boutique wine stores to an actual vineyard, this area has something for everyone, and I am excited to share these places with you!
I was so delighted to stumble upon Agoura Wine & Beer Co.! It is located at the end of Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills and is my dream wine store. They have super affordable yet unique wine options. I try to stop there as often as I can to stock up on different wines that I am interested in trying out without spending a bundle. In addition to the store, they have a bar in the back with an attached patio where you can sip wines by the glass or order a flight while enjoying the views of the hills. They also have a menu of light snacks if you are feeling a little peckish. (Favorite Wine: 2019 Schloss Volrads Riesling (Kabinett) – Rheingau)
This place is perfection! Located in the back of 14 Cannons Brewery, Club 14 is a wine lover’s paradise. They have an eclectic wine menu with recognizable bottles mixed in with new favorites – does anyone else love Malvasia like I do? The best part is that they have a Blind Wine Tasting option where they walk you through the steps of blind tasting like a pro. The extremely knowledgeable owners are so friendly and teach you about wine without judging you AND they manage to keep it fun the whole time! Added bonus – you can order Rock & Roll Pizza right there at the brewery…. Is there anything better than pizza and wine? (Favorite Wine: Lini 910 Lambrusco – Emilia Romagna)
This is a fun place! It’s described as a boutique wine bar – but really, it’s a restaurant with a focus on wine. It is located in a shopping center in Westlake Village with both indoor and outdoor seating. All of the menus are on iPads and my favorite part is that for every food item you can click on wine pairing suggestions. The food exceeds expectations, and they have a great selection of wine offerings. As far as food goes – I recommend starting with the Gem Lettuces with Deglet Noor Dates, Goat Cheese, Fresno Chiles, Sunflower Seeds, Shaved Fennel, and Cucumber Vinaigrette. For an entrée, try Baba’s Chicken which is Mary’s Organic Chicken, Cous-Cous, Harissa Roasted Carrots, Preserved Lemon, Golden Raisins, Labneh, & Walnut. Overall, it is a great place to grab a nice dinner and a few glasses of wine. (Favorite Wine: Coelho Winery White Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR)
Wow – this place is a scene! The Stonehaus is a beautiful wine bar located in the Westlake Village Inn. There is an actual vineyard along with waterfalls, plenty of outdoor seating, live music, and truly fantastic people watching! For food, they have an array of cheese & charcuterie options along with assorted pizzas. For wine, they have their own private label wines to choose from as well as wines from around the world. It can get hot out on their patio so it’s typically a rosé all day situation for me when I’m there. (Favorite Wine: 2020 Les Valentine Rosé of Grenache & Cinsault - Côtes de Provence)
Such a perfect place to meet up with friends on a Friday night to catch up and try some wine. Wades Wines is a retail wine store (that also sells beer and spirits) that has cozy tasting rooms for a fun evening out. While the wine offerings are fantastic, they also have beer and a whole whiskey situation for when you are out with that one friend who refuses to drink wine (you know who you are). The wine list includes several different flights to choose from to satisfy whatever mood you are in that day. Be sure to check out their regional flights which are always a good time! (Favorite Wine: 2017 Ramon Cordova Albariño – Rias Baixas)