California’s world-class wine regions are a sight for sore eyes—rolling hills with vineyards that change colors with the seasons, charming towns, and both grand and rustic tasting rooms.
But there’s something extra special about sipping a glass of pinot with the salty sea breeze and a view of the Pacific.
Soak up gorgeous coastal views and savor every sip at these five ocean-view wineries, from Sonoma to San Diego.
Fort Ross Vineyard, Jenner
(Courtesy of Fort Ross Vineyards)
Perched high above the Sonoma coast, Fort Ross Vineyard’s tasting room is the only one producing wines within the remote Fort Ross–Seaview viticultural area. Here, you can relax on a picturesque patio overlooking a landscape of redwoods and rugged coastline while savoring wines paired perfectly with locally sourced seasonal tasting menus. While the cool coastal climate makes this a natural place to farm chardonnay and pinot noir, Fort Ross Vineyard also produces rosé, chenin blanc, and even pinotage.
Walk-ins are welcome to taste their sustainably farmed, estate-grown wines ($40-$50/person). You can also book a wine and food pairing (by appointment, $85/person) or lace your boots for a more active, one-of-a-kind tasting—a food, wine, and nature experience that explores their 975-acre Sonoma Coast property (by advance appointment with a minimum of one week’s notice, $130/person).
// 15725 Meyers Grade Rd. (Jenner) fortrossvineyard.com
Hearst Ranch Winery, San Simeon
(Courtesy of @hearstranchwinery)
Scenery doesn’t get much better than the ocean views at Hearst Ranch Winery. Located along Highway 1 beside San Simeon Bay, the tasting room here is truly one-of-a-kind, with charming wooden tables and chairs nestled beneath big, beautiful trees.
It’s the perfect setting to savor full-bodied reds, a variety of whites, and intriguing blends—many of which come from their estate vineyard, Saunders, in Paso Robles. Try the Seaside Wine Tasting ($35–$50/person), featuring a selection of current releases, or book The Patio Experience for more privacy, panoramic ocean views, and a flight of five wines enjoyed over two hours ($45–$60/person). Sebastian’s General Store across the parking lot serves up sandwiches, salads, and sweets that are perfect for pairing with a picnic. Place orders online or in person.
// 442 Slo San Simeon Rd. (San Simeon), hearstranchwinery.com
Pacific Star Winery, Fort Bragg
(Courtesy of California Beaches)
This true oceanfront gem sits just off Highway 1 on a rugged bluff 100 feet above the Mendocino Coast. French, Hungarian, and American oak barrels fill the cellar—and its unique location only adds to the winemaking process. Waves crashing into sea caves underneath naturally filter sediment, while cool marine air regulates barrel room temperatures, and the salt it deposits on wine barrels accelerates osmosis.
Founder and winemaker Sally Ottoson lives on-site and pours Italian varietals such as charbono and negroamaro. The tasting experience includes five glasses ($15/person). Pacific Star is also known for adventurous blends that tell a story, like the “It’s My Fault” series—red and white blends named after the San Andreas Fault running beneath the property—and “Dad’s Daily Red,” a table red named for Ottoson’s father. If you don’t want to do a full tasting, bring a picnic, purchase a bottle, and watch for gray whales from the lawn.
// 33000 CA-1 (Fort Bragg) pacificstarwinery.com
Presqu’ile Winery, Santa Maria
(Courtesy of Presqu’ile Winery)
Presqu’ile Winery’s hilltop location in the Santa Maria Valley is an idyllic setting for a sweeping perspective on both ocean and vineyard. Located just two miles from Highway 101, the winery—whose name in French means “almost an island”—lets you savor a taste of cool-climate pinot noir, chardonnay, and syrah from its sustainably farmed estate vineyard.
Their two-hour Wine and Food Experience ($72/person) pairs new wines with local and seasonal bites (including treats from their one-acre estate garden), while the Estate Tasting ($45/person) lets you sample five wines and purchase à la carte bites. Either way, the modern tasting room and spacious outdoor terrace make for a memorable day on the Central Coast.
// 5391 Presqu’ile Dr. (Santa Maria) presquilewine.com
Beach House Winery, Oceanside
(Courtesy of Visit Oceanside)
Perched atop the Sleeping Indian ridgeline in Oceanside sits the Beach House Winery. Founders George and Kim Murray’s two-acre vineyard, Vigna al Mare—Vineyard at the Sea—is the community’s first. The estate produces a variety of reds and whites, including pinot grigio, chardonnay, rosé, petite sirah, grenache, syrah, merlot, cabernet franc, sangiovese, nebbiolo, and Bordeaux-style blends sourced from California and Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe. For a personal touch, every bottle’s label features a sketch by George.
While here, don’t miss the old-world spiral staircase leading to the picturesque upper deck, where you’ll find 360-degree views spanning from the North County mountains all the way to the sea. Tastings are typically offered by appointment on weekends (six pours for $15/person).
// 1534 Sleeping Indian Rd. (Fallbrook) beachhousewinery.com
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