Looking for a fun idea for a memorable date? If so, why not combine the perfect duo of a wine tasting followed by a visit to an art gallery or museum? An art and wine experience around Laguna Beach or Newport Beach provides the perfect environment for great conversation, fine wine, and browsing creative works. Whether you’re an oenophile or an arts lover, this outing features the best of both worlds.
Laguna Beach
In Laguna Beach, start your date off on the right note with a visit to the Wine Gallery Wine Bar & Kitchen, where an extensive selection of fine, limited-edition red and white wines awaits, in addition to a menu full of tempting dishes such as short rib tacos, various pizzas, and delectable small plates. This cozy wine bar also boasts a great happy hour and weekly live music on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Another recommended option for a grape escape—plan to stop for a tasting at Laguna Canyon Winery, an urban, award-winning winery offering a wide selection of varietals and styles. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., the winery also hosts first Friday of the Month Wine Tasting Parties and dinner events.
Sapphire Laguna, Studio at Montage Laguna Beach, and Selanne Steak Tavern are among other Laguna Beach-based establishments with first-rate wine lists.
Once you and your date have imbibed in a glass or two of vino, it’s time to take in some artwork. As a year-round art destination, Laguna is blessed with an abundance of fine art galleries, including spaces that specialize in contemporary art, impressionist paintings, abstracts, global art, marine-life art, pop art, and much more. The JoAnne Artman Gallery, The Redfern Gallery, Peter Blake Gallery, Sue Greenwood Fine Art, and Wyland Gallery are just a few of the numerous galleries to check out.
Additionally, the Laguna Art Museum and the LCAD Gallery at the Laguna College of Art & Design showcase exhibits that are always worth a visit. The city also hosts the popular First Thursdays ArtWalk, an educational art event, held on the first Thursday of every month from 6–9 p.m. Free to the public, ArtWalk attendees can celebrate the city’s diverse art scene by visiting several fine art galleries that often host special events and exhibits during this evening.
Newport Beach
In Newport Beach, the Wine Gallery in Corona del Mar includes a retail space and wine tasting room with an impressive wine list. With the same owners and operators as the Wine Gallery Wine Bar & Kitchen in Laguna, you can expect to savor handcrafted, limited-production wines here, along with delicious small plates. The CdM location was the owners’ first endeavor in the wine retail business, which they opened in 1999, and it’s easy to see why the establishment has been such a success.
The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar in Newport Beach is another outstanding option for indulging in a superb selection of wine and innovative cuisine, in addition to Fleming’s Steakhouse Restaurant and Wine Bar. Orange Coast Winery also features a tasting room in Newport Beach, where you can nosh on cheese plates and other gourmet snacks while sipping from a fabulous selection of wines.
For viewing fine art in Newport, the Orange County Museum of Art is recommended for its interesting and often thought-provoking exhibits. Don’t miss the current Pop Art Design exhibit, which features works by artists including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Ed Ruscha, and Richard Hamilton; juxtaposed with works by designers such as Charles Eames, George Nelson, and Ettore Sottsass, among others.
Although not as art-centric as Laguna, Newport Beach also has some notable galleries, including Ethos Contemporary Art, SCAPE Gallery, and Lahaina Galleries, to name just a few.
Since both wine and art can evoke passion and help bring people together, this adventure makes for a great date. So, whether you and your significant other decide to spend time in Newport Beach or Laguna Beach this season, either destination provides an exceptional art and wine experience.
