OC Wine Mart & Tasting Bar

I've been seeing people on yelp gush about this place for far too long; I needed to see for myself what the place was like on a quiet Saturday afternoon.

It's a small but well stocked wine shop. A well rounded variety of wines. Plus they have beer, hard liquor, cheeses, and snacks. I found the prices to be about what you'd expect, although there were no jaw-dropping deals to be found.

The coolest thing about this shop was a designated tasting area. You get a card from the front counter and add any monetary amount you desire (check Yelp for their weekly deal). You then insert this card into one of two machines (one for reds, the other for whites) and receive a tasting pour of your choice from one of two dozen wines. Each wine has a designated amount for the pour and that amount is deducted from your card. Note that these are pours that are intended to give you a taste of the wine, they are not going to fill your glass! Sorry wine guzzlers! We sat and tasted various wines and also ordered a cheese platter (4 cheeses, warm bread, grapes, and nuts) to accompany the vino.

The two women who were working were very friendly, knowledgable, and helpful. For a wine novice like myself, this is a great place to taste and learn about wines. The atmosphere is casual and inviting. While a wine snob will be able to find wines that will satisfy them here, a newbie will also feel comfortable as they peruse the well-labeled wine racks.

I left with a zero-balance pour card, a smile on my face and a bottle of wine that I had been trying unsuccessfully to find for months but found it here. Fantastic little shop!

The staff is so personable and kind! This is a great place to go for fun amazing wine selection!

I honestly think they have the best craft beer selection in Irvine. This place is a  gem!  A lot of great wine selections as well.  Looks newly remodeled. They even have lotto and convenience items. A very clean place to with above and beyond customer service  . Julie is very helpful and knowledgeable .  I will definitely  be returning for some craft beer tastings .