When I was at the recent ‘Toast of the Coast’ wine event, I got to taste wine from a number of urban wineries, local to San Diego. I’ve been aware of urban wineries popping up everywhere in my travels. You might be asking “What is an urban winery?”
An urban winery is where the wine making facility is in an urban setting, rather than in a traditional rural setting like a vineyard. On the San Diego Urban Wineries website, there are over 15 urban wineries listed, and there is a map showing each location and information about each of the wineries. You can buy at passport for $35 to get a tasting at any of the participating wineries.
Négociant, a hip winery in San Diego’s North Park area, won three golds at the 2018 Toast of the Coast for these wines; Petite Syrah, Cabernet and Contrition. As I really enjoyed my taste of the Petite Syrah at the wine event, I thought I’d make a trip there. It was great that the location had parking!
One of the walls displayed the definition of Négociant.
Négociant: “A wine merchant who sources the perfect grapes and unfinished wines from small vineyards. Through winemaking, blending and aging the Négociant creates beautiful craft wines.”
The wine offerings include draft wines on tap and in the bottle. They also sell growlers that you can get filled to take home.
I went for the 5 tastings for $10. There is a food menu with starters like hummus, cheese plate , charcuterie boards, and salads.
These are the five wines I tried:
- I enjoyed the Verminito an Italian inspired white wine that was on tap.
- the Rosé from Paso Robles – a dry lasting finish, great on a hot summer day made with the merlot grape.
- The Boulevard – a smooth red blend.
- The Conclave – a chilled red wine in the Italian tradition for a summer wine. 65% Primitivo, Barbera, Grenache and Zinfandel. This was very refreshing.
- The Petite Syrah – very smooth and delicious as I had remembered from the first time I tasted it.
The Very friendly attentive servers kept me informed of what I was drinking. If you have a visit there, let me know how it goes.
Stay tuned for future posts of more San Diego Urban wineries!
