Another Best Kept Secret: The Malibu Wine Trail

One of the many joys of being a Californian is that you have a good excuse for being a wino.  It is almost a matter of state pride to imbibe – this can also be passed off as sophistication (great bonus!)  If you have the good fortune to have guests in town, and also have the even greater fortune that they don’t want to go to Disneyland or some other excruciating torture of a theme park, a wonderful option is to take them on a tour of California wine country.  The Malibu Wine Trail, just to the west of Los Angeles, is indescribably beautiful, with thrilling switchbacks and breathtaking views (although be careful for motion-sickness – I learned this the hard way).  On the way, the massive blue expanse of the Pacific next to the grandeur of the Santa Monica Mountains melts the hearts of even the most jaded Angelenos. 

First stop is the Rosenthal wine tasting room, right on Pacific Coast Highway.  (Have to lubricate on the way, after all, right?)  The tasting room faces the beach and one can also watch the local fauna – Malibu joggers who seem to run in place and are alarmingly well-coifed for such a sweaty activity.  With a turn inland, you continue to enjoy views of cliff-side chateaus that make one think that royalty does in fact exist in the U.S. 

In the middle of the mountain range are three tasting rooms, each with their own flavor (literally).  Malibu Family Vineyards has a green grassy meadow perfect for bringing your own picnic lunch and enjoying the scenery of the vineyard terraces.  I’ve seen some adults playing on the swinging tires (no one I know, of course), but I’m sure they are great for kids as well!

Next stop is Sip, a charming tasting room with a cozy tiered picnic area and a nearby grill.  Sip is often open later in the evening, which is nice, because I always found tasting wine before noon to feel a bit odd (not that I’m complaining).  You can enjoy the festive lighting and holiday atmosphere as well as some big reds!

Last but definitely not least is the Cornell tasting room, which features some beautiful original art and has a varied selection of local wines, changing their tastings every week.  The Cornell folks masterfully converted an old warehouse and it feels like you’ve stepped into a rustic past.   Next door to Cornell is a long-time local restaurant, The Old Place, which although having a casual homey atmosphere, has an amazing chef (who I recently told the owner to chain to the kitchen so he can’t run away).

I haven’t even mentioned all the non-wine-related hiking trails in the area, so give yourself a few hours to meander and if you stumble and fall into the Malibou Lake, just don’t spill the bottle!

29975 Mulholland Hwy
Cornell(aka Augora), CA 91301
818-735-3542
www.cornellwinery.com