Malibu is well-known for its sunshine and sandy beaches, but it also has a number of excellent wineries and vineyards. Here are the top wineries in Malibu you have to visit if you’re looking for a day out or a week’s vacation for tasty wine tasting.
What Is Malibu Known For? What Does “California Magnum” Mean?
Malibu is a small town located in Los Angeles County, on the coast of Southern California. The city is famous for its Mediterranean climate and beautiful beaches. Malibu is also known for being the home of many celebrities, including actors, musicians, and athletes.
The term “California Magnum” is used to describe a wine that has been made in the state of California. The majority of the grapes used to make California wine are grown in the Central Valley, which is located between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Coast Ranges.
The Central Valley is a large, flat valley that covers an area of approximately 22,500 square miles. The climate in the Central Valley is warm and dry, with very little rainfall. This makes it an ideal location for growing grapes.
Malibu is located in the Santa Monica Mountains, which are part of the Coast Ranges. The Santa Monica Mountains receive more rainfall than the Central Valley, and the climate is cooler than the valley.
The AVA title was only given to Malibu in 2013, making it one of the newest AVAs in the United States. However, California has a long history of viticulture and a large number of outstanding wineries and vineyards to offer wine enthusiasts.
The most common red wines in Malibu are Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. In Malibu, the most frequent white wines are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Viognier.
The first Malibu vineyard was established in the early 1800s by Jose Bartolome Tapia, a Spanish General, in the area now known as Serra Retreat. Over 50 wineries are presently located on the Malibu Coast, demonstrating how far the region has progressed over the last two centuries.
The climate of Malibu is Mediterranean, and the winters are cold and wet, while the summers are hot and dry. These circumstances aid in the development of grapes, as well as the AVA’s volcanic soils.
The most common soil types on Malibu Coast are slate, sandstone, and shale, with those on the hillsides thin and rocky, but fertile. The dry, thin soils heat up swiftly during the day, allowing warmth to protect grapevines from mildew and mold at night.
In addition, water-deficient soils limit leafy canopy development, allowing sunlight to pass through and help mature the grapes by keeping moisture from accumulating.
Things to Do in Malibu
There is no lack of things to do and see in Malibu, making it an ideal holiday destination for a leisurely day or week away from home. The county’s most famous sandy beaches are El Matador State Beach, Point Dume State Beach, and the Malibu Lagoon State Beach, with the latter being studded with dramatic rock formations.
If you don’t want to spend your holiday on the beach, there are other stunning hiking routes available, such as the Malibu Creek State Park and Solstice Canyon. For those seeking to discover top-rated wineries while seeing beautiful vistas, there are also various wine treks.
Visit Escondido Falls, which is one of the biggest waterfalls in Southern California. To reward yourself, dine at one of Malibu’s many excellent restaurants, such as the Malibu Country Mart, which is overflowing with top-notch eateries.
Related Read: 11 Best Solvang Wineries
The Best Wineries in Malibu
Rosenthal Wine Bar and Patio: Brilliant Beach Views
- Address: 18741 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265, United States
- Website: https://rosenthalestatewines.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 310-456-1392
The Rosenthal Wine Bar and Patio is the ideal destination for wine connoisseurs. Their beautiful tasting room and outside patio are adjacent to a beach, so you may enjoy the sea breeze and ocean views as you sip on delicious wines.
The winery’s tasting room is an excellent location for a private event like a birthday party or corporate dinner. It can accommodate up to 300 people, so it’s big enough for both large and little gatherings.
The winery’s own vineyard is located in Malibu’s Newton Canyon and covers 250 acres. Its excellent soil and climate are perfect for grape cultivation, which you can certainly taste and see in their gorgeous beverages.
You may select from a broad range of wines at the distillery, including reds and whites, as well as ciders. Cheese and crackers are also available for purchase in addition to some delicious munchies. Food trucks visit on weekends, providing a variety of delectable food options.
Live music is also offered, so you may relax on the sand with great wine, fantastic cuisine, and excellent music.
Note: Check out the 2016 Rosenthal Oaked Chardonnay. It’s fantastic!
Cielo Farms: Breathtaking Scenery
- Address: 31424 Mulholland Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265, United States
- Website: https://woodstockmalibu.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 424-234-7242
Cielo Farms is not only an excellent event venue, but it’s also a great winery and vineyard. The picturesque forested region serves as a beautiful backdrop for intimate gatherings and wine tasting, ensuring that your event is both magical and unforgettable.
The estate’s grounds encompass more than 30 acres and offer spectacular views of olive groves and the Malibu Mountains. In the winery’s Tuscan-inspired tasting room, which has over 20 varieties of red wines, including Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, Malbec varietals, and Petite Sirah, you may sample over 20 different wines.
Cielo Farms is one of the most well-known and renowned wedding locations in the United States, and it’s easy to understand why. Their beautiful manor and breathtaking surroundings provide a dreamlike setting for your event, adding a little enchantment and wonder.
Cielo Farms Wedding Venue in Sugar Land offers a wide range of services to assist you to plan your event and make it as personal as you want. They can accommodate up to 200 people and arrange as little or as much of your event as you desire. Cielo Farms will be more than delighted to help you with anything from valet rentals, menu planning, lighting setup, and so on if you need assistance.
The tasting room is separated from the outside garden, which offers a peaceful atmosphere and stunning views. Cielo Farms is undoubtedly one of Malibu’s most beautiful wineries, making it a must-see if you want to unwind in peace.
Note: If you’re searching for a high-end taste, the 2014 Cielo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon will not disappoint. It’s rich with cherry and spice notes, as well as a subtle balance.
Strange Family Vineyards – Malibu Tasting Room: Charming Outdoor Patio
- Address: 3939 Cross Creek Rd B100, Malibu, CA 90265, United States
- Website: https://www.strangefamilyvineyards.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 213-716-0795
Strange Family Vineyards’ lovely tasting room is located in Malibu, where the family maintains its home and vineyard. The interior is modern and elegant, so you may fully unwind with a glass or bottle of wine.
On the outside, there’s a lovely huge patio where you may sit and enjoy the sea air while admiring the gorgeous scenery. The winery is open daily, with a Happy Hour every Wednesday from 5pm to 7pm!
Every Sunday, local bands and musicians perform live music at the winery. There are also other events, including charity evenings and a dog-friendly Yappy Hour on a regular basis.
Note: The 2018 Rose of Pinot is a wonderful choice if you’re in the mood for a tangy and refreshing wine. It has peach and strawberry scents with a high acidity and edge.
Summer Somewhere Wines: Remarkable Red and Rose Wines
- Address: 3822 Cross Creek Rd, Malibu, CA 90265, United States
- Website: https://www.summersomewherewines.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 424-235-2668
Wineries like Summer Somewhere Wines produce red and rose wines such as Pinot Noir, Grenache, and Syrah. Their well-designed tasting room is in Malibu, where guests may relax in a laid-back environment with a stylish aesthetic.
Despite its size, Summer Somewhere Wines has a distinctive flavor to its wines. Summer Somewhere Wines produces some of the most delicious red and rose wines in Malibu, so stop by their tasting room during your stay.
Note: The 2020 Rose Mangum from this winery is well worth tasting. It has notes of watermelon, mango, apricot, honeydew, with a hint of jasmine. Even in the fall and winter months, this wine will remind you of the summer!
Malibu Solstice Vineyard
What better way to spend the Thanksgiving holiday than with family or a loved one? What would make you smile this summer, Malibu Solstice Vineyard? The Malibu Solstice Vineyard is known for producing big, rich, and flavorful grape wine. You may sip your wine while gazing over the gorgeous California slope. You’ll love it here!
- Address: 29350 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265, United States
- Website: http://www.malibusolsticevineyards.com/
- Contact number: (+1) 818-338-3636
Admirable Wines
Enjoy the best selection of fruit-flavored wine made from Malibu Valley’s finest and freshest grapes. The fruits were handpicked from the highlands, where excellent conditions for grape growth are provided, resulting in magnificent wine varieties well crafted with decades of expertise. You will undoubtedly be pleased by these fruity wines from Admirable Wines’ international award-winning production facility. Check it out now and come back to your accommodation with a memento after you’ve seen this spectacular place in Malibu.
- Address: 5941 Kanan Dume Rd, Malibu, CA 90265, United States
- Website: http://www.admirable-malibu.com/
- Contact number: N/A
Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate
Visit the family-owned business Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate Vineyard, which has planted acres of grapes on 65 beautiful acres. This vineyard is run by a staff of skilled professionals and is located in a beautiful location with excellent volcanic soils. Take a look at the range of exquisite aged wine that is loved all over the world.
- Address: 340 Kanan Rd, Malibu, CA 90265, United States
- Website: http://www.maliburockyoaks.com/
- Contact number: (+1) 877.MRO.7660
Colcanyon Estate Wines
Visit this upcoming boutique vineyard and find time to relax. The Colcanyon Estate Wines produces bold-flavored excellent wine. The grapes used in these wines are all from Malibu estates and come from different grape varieties with distinct blends. In 2001, the Santa Monica mountains were home to Colcanyon Estate Wines.
This winery is located in the mountains, on a south-facing slope with ideal growing conditions that result in excellent fruit quality, which translates to fine wine quality. You may sample the wines from any of the shops and notice the difference in taste.
- Address: 2375 Latigo Canyon Road, Malibu, Ca 90265, United States
- Website: https://www.colcanyon-estate-wines.com/
- Contact number: (+1) 310-589-4925
Semler Malibu Estate Vineyards
The steep south-facing slopes of the Santa Monica Mountains are home to the Semler Malibu Estate Vineyards. As a result of the many varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Mourvedre, Grenache, Viognier, and Malbec grapes are grown in this vineyard.
The farm also has ostriches, emus, tapirs, and many other animals that will add a distinct flavor of adventure and excitement to visitors who come. Visit this location while staying at an Airbnb not just for the scenery but also to see exotic animals like buffalo, llamas, zebras, water buffalo, and others. You’ll enjoy yourself here!
- Address: 32111 Mulholland Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265, United States
- Website: https://www.smevwines.com/
- Email: info@smevwines.com
Cornell Winery & Tasting Room
Wine tasting in the Cornell Winery & Tasting Room is a must-do. Cornell is in Agoura Hills, near Los Angeles. The Cornell Winery was founded in 2007, but it’s a beautiful wine tasting room with antique furnishings. It allows you to learn more about the wines produced in the area by different producers.
- Address: 29975 Mulholland Hwy, Agoura Hills, CA 91301, United States
- Website: http://www.cornellwinery.com/
- Contact number: (+1) 818-735-3542
Final Thoughts
If you want to go on a relaxing holiday in the sun with some of the best wineries in Malibu, then this is the location for you. The best wineries in Malibu are located above, so be sure to visit one of them on your trip. You will not be disappointed!