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!
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 .
Review Source:This place is a weird hybrid of a wine store, and a wine tasting spot.
The lady who was working there was super nice. She explained everything to us. They have a large selection of red wines for tasting and a handful of whites for tasting. Got the yelp deal and just paid $15 for $20 and that was more than enough for the four of us.
Each tasting is one ounce. It's kind of like a soda fountain, you press a button and you get your wine. The tasting price is dependent of the bottle's actual price.
There were some good ones and a lot of ones that were eh... But it was a cheap and easy way to try a bunch of wines. They have a lot of chocolate wines here, if you're into that.
The lady was super nice because one of the bottles was almost empty and when we finished it off, she let us pick a wine we wanted to taste.
I like this place a lot because you can drink and taste at your own pace without anyone really hovering over you. We were really the only ones there at the time, so it was relaxing.
Love this place. Great selection, can have a drink inside, owners are friendly and helpful. Doesn't really get too much better than this!
Often crowded, but people in there are all pretty cool, definitely like it here. I'll be back on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the next few months, that's for sure. Hahaha.
When my wife mentioned possibly attending Sidney S.'s PYE at O.C. Wine Mart & Tasting Bar, my initial reaction was along the lines of why would non wine drinkers go to a wine mart? Â Even at my apex of alcohol consumption, wine would hardly ever pass my lips, so I wasn't sure how I would pass the time at a wine tasting event. Â In the end, curiosity and the opportunity to see several of our Yelp friends overrode any initial apprehensions I had and we RSVPed for the event.
Rohlinism: Â If the world is giving you sour grapes ... stomped on them, ferment them in a barrel for at least two weeks and make wine.
When we arrived at the O.C. Wine Mart & Tasting Bar, we hung outside for a bit while Laina consumed a cancer stick and ran into Gloria R. as she arrived.  When we entered the mart we were warmly greeted by Sidney and the owner Juile, who proceeded to give us a quick run down of her business and what she was offering for the event.  There was a table set up for a wine sampling for $15 <a href="http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=nueu6U4sxlkxrkpGC51G2Q&userid=ax7SnXOTIpatbsmqHLqVow">http://www.yelp.com/user…</a> with a selection of eight wines <a href="http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=SgnlU_xvPsdXn3pLnM7R-w&userid=ax7SnXOTIpatbsmqHLqVow">http://www.yelp.com/user…</a>
Valenin Blanchi New Age White
- Varietal: 90% Torrontes, 10% Sauvignon Blanc
- Source: Mendoza, Argentina
- Flavor Profile: Slightly sweet wine with slightly Peach and Apricot aromas
Honig Sauvignon Blanc 2012
-Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
-Source: Napa Valley, California
-Flavor Profile: Tangy and Bright, featuring Honeydew Melon, Key Lime Pie and Apple Flavors
Bishop's Peak Chardonnay 2010 (90 Points Stephen Tanner)
-Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
-Source: Central Coast, California
-Flavor Profile: Clean, Crisp, yet Rich and Focused
Jack Hammer Pinot Noir 2011
-Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
-Source: Monterey, California
-Flavor Profile: Bright Fruit Flavors, Gentle Spice and Round, Smooth Tannins
Lost Angel Mischief Red Blend 2009
-Varietal: Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon
-Source: California
-Flavor Profile: Medium-Bodied Red Blend with Red and Black Fruit Tones, Spices and Undertones of Pepper
First Press Cabernet Sauvignon
-Varietal: 100% Carbernt Sauvignon
-Source: Napa Valley, California
-Flavor Profile: Aromas of Black Liquorice, Blackberries and Dried Herbs. Â Flavors of Cocoa and Soft, Silky Tannins
Dona Paula "Los Cardos" Malbec 2011
-Varietal: Malbec
-Source: Argentina
-Flavor Profile: Spicy and Straightforward with Plum and Black Cherry aromas
Truffle Merlot NV
-Varietal: 99% Merlot infused with 1% Dark Chocolate
-Source: Monterey, California
Julie also had laid out a sample tray of cheeses, crackers, grapes, almonds and salami <a href="http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=dOpNRibsrHXc-jJdctj7Qw&userid=ax7SnXOTIpatbsmqHLqVow">http://www.yelp.com/user…</a> for everyone to taste.  If this didn't interest you, there was a Yelp deal for a $20 card for $15 you could use at the tasting bar.  The wine mart had an excellent selection of beer and non-alcoholic drinks available as well.  In addition, the Chef Joe Youhkan's Tasting Spoon gourmet truck was outside provide excellent food and service and the entire event.
This was also an excellent opportunity to catch up with some Yelpers I hadn't seen in a while and meet some new ones for the first time:
Vannesa H. who was able to take a break from her clubbing tour.
Drew M. who was able to take a break from work.
Roy B. who was in between tours of his new sweatshop in China (LOL!).
Craig F. who I didn't get to talk to long enough.
Gloria R. who I talked her ear off.
Mi-Yun C. who I met for the first time, but sadly on the way out the door.
And I am sorry if I forgot anyone else. Â
Julie also allowed my wife to sample a bottle of Moscato D'Asti, which she loved so much she purchased. Â She also purchased a Chuao Chocolate bar, which she really loves.
This was a great little event and thanks to Sidney for organizing it and Juile for hosting it!
Great Wine selection, check mark
Fabulous and knowledgeable owner, Julie, check mark
Sweet and helpful staff, check mark
Chuao Chocolates, check mark
A 5 Star Restaurant Food Truck, check mark
Artisan Beers, check mark
Last but not least, the Wonderful and Social Yelper Sidney S., check mark
Sidney hosted a PYE at OC Wine Mart & Tasting Bar and it was 2 plus hours of delight, filled with wine tasting, delicious cheeses, crackers, fruit, olives and salami. Â Chef Joe Youkhan's Tasting Spoon delivered delicious gourmet food truck fare outside and I got to catch-up with some fellow yelpers, Gloria R., Roy B., Drew M. and Vanessa H.
I'm not much of a wine drinker (oh the shame), but I do like Moscato's and Julie was so sweet to let me try a freebie taste of a sweet white wine and then pointed me towards a beautiful bottle, Moscato D'Asti from Italy which I purchased:  <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/oc-wine-mart-and-tasting-bar-irvine-2?select=ZrsrHeY81YDF9LvE-eMiHQ#w2au4hvVgJd7PZP9vqXITw">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>
Thank you Sidney and Julie for a delicious and delightful time.
Bought the $15 for $30 Groupon and wasn't sure what to expect. Â I dragged my non wine drinking friend along and we both loved it! Â We had so much fun. Â Great way to sample wines before you buy them or just go and hang out and wine taste. Â They also have a bunch of really good and hard to find beers. Â The wine tasting area is small but we really enjoyed meeting new people. Â The people working there are awesome....so friendly and checking to make sure you are enjoying everything. Â We also had the cheese platter which was yummy. Â You purchase a card (kind of like at Dave and Buster's) and the amount on the card never expires. Â I would definitely recommend and will be returning soon!
Review Source:Ask anyone where he or she has been wine tasting, and you'll probably receive answers such as Temecula, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Napa Valley, Sonoma... Â The list continues. Â And those are understandable locations. Â I mean, they're wine countries, and they're all great places for tasting excursions. Â But what if someone looked you straight in the eye and said "Irvine"? Â It might catch you off guard. Â Well, that's exactly what happened to me: the OC Wine Mart was a complete surprize. Â
I was invited to attend a wine-tasting event at OC Wine Mart. Â Fellow Yelpers met to socialize, sample wines, enjoy some music, and experience Chef Joe Youkhan's Tasting Spoon. Â Julie L. (owner and CEO) prepared a table of complimentary, gourmet cheeses and crackers for all her guests while also sharing her insight and expertise when it comes to wine. Â She really brightens a room, Julie does. Â =]
What's also interesting--and I had never seen this before--was that although Julie was  pouring wine samples herself, the OC Wine Mart offers a "State of the Art, Self-Serve Enomatic Wine System."  There are 24 wines available for your convenience.  With a pre-paid wine card, you simply approach, insert your card, and taste away.  With so many choices, however, I found myself gravitating--over and over again--toward two wines in particular: the "Chocolate Shop" and the "Truffle Merlot."  In fact, I purchased a bottle of each to take home: <a href="http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=kDY6Ml3UhMxDOkVdzbqneQ&userid=EGz1NDtgVbndCJ5R3F-stw">http://www.yelp.com/user…</a> . With window seating surrounding the lounge, coupled by artisan cheese plate service and a wonderful staff, no wonder the place is filled with smiles.  =]  I'm going back.
Irvine... Â Who knew?
I just spent 3 minutes searching for "OC wine expo." What would I do without Google? (apparently, NOT write reviews!). And no, I'm not still tipsy!
True story: we spent the weekend in Temecula (last minute plans). What's the problem with that, you wonder? Nothing, unless the day you're driving BACK from Temecula you have to attend a wine/cheese event at the OC WINE MART. By the time we arrived around 6pm, I have to say, I was pretty wined-out. Still, we managed to toss back a few glasses. Julie, the hostess with the mostess, was very gracious and kind, and I was finally glad to meet in person one of Yelp's most celebrated and popular writers, Sidney S. (thanks for organizing the event, by the way!).
Prices at OCWM are fair. Some bottles were a bit more expensive than I see in other places, but others were several dollars less. They had a nice, eclectic variety and we left with a bottle of the Lost Angel. This is a red CA blend that had almost everyone saying "Wow...this is good!" And the price, at under 10, was even better.
When I'm in the area again, I'll be sure to return and recommend to local friends!
I came to OC Wine Mart for a PYE hosted by Sidney S. Although I know it's a sin not to drink wine I made my way here to engage in some debauchery with some fellow yelpers.
Julie (the owner) was so gracious and explained the variety of wines that were being offered as well as providing cheese platters to compliment the tastings. She explained how the tasting works, first by purchasing your wine card and then making your way to the self serve machine. Yelp has an offer $15 for $20 tasting card! Julie was so generous in her offerings and provided suggestions for the wine connoisseurs that were in attendance. Julie really knows her stuff and if I did indulge in the fancies of wine I would turn to her as she is very knowledgeable.
Not only did I learn about the different types of wine I was able to meet some awesome Yelpers and hangout with some I already knew. Thanks again Sidney and Julie for hosting such an awesome event. I will definitely recommend OCWM to my friends and family.
What a cool place! Â Nope you wont find the Harlem Shake or Ferraris in the parking lot. You will however find first class wine and unpretentious service.
I really felt very at home at the OC wine mart. Its not an mega wine joint like some of the larger chain places I've experienced. You know the ones where you feel overwhelmed by the gazillions of bottles and the wine snobs who work at these type of places (think wino Walmarts) are a pain in the arse to a vino noob like me.
I got my first taste of OCWM coming to a wine tasting with some fellow Yelpers. Intimidating as this is for me I felt no pressure nor hard sell as I had in past wine tasting experiences. Nope I was comfortable and had a great time tasting a nice variety of wine while slowly learning a little more about the craft of winos with each pour.
I think that the heartbeat of OCWM is its owner Julie. She is a true gem for a novice wino like me. She told me when you find a wine you like then go with it. Each persons tastes are unique, and thus so should their palate for wine be. Julie walked me through a number of wines describing each in nice detail, even suggesting cheese pairings with several of them. She knows her stuff and it shows.
In addition to the hand poured wine tasting I got to give the wine vending machine a try. Slot machines a la vino! What a cool deal this machine is! Stick in your prepaid card find your bottle, push a button and shazzam you're hooked up with a taste of some primo vino that ranges from mild to wild. Vegas needs these machines in the card pits, I'd never leave the table! Oh yea I also forgot that they got a $20 for $15 Yelp deal on the card too! Â And for you non wine lovers they have a pretty damn good beer selection too! I was so tempted to grab a bottle of Bootleggers or some Samuel Smith but I stayed the course with the wine and loved it.
There was also a mobile food truck there for this occasion The Tasting Spoon. The truck is awesome and Chef Joe's prawns and squid ink pasta kicked booty! I have to keep my eyes open for this truck in the future. Heard the pizza he had rocked too!
<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/oc-wine-mart-and-tasting-bar-irvine-2?select=keengVs2NfdGpPpbknVOIA#ks5qTxSNGS-GmlPnhvbxaA">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a> Â
The best part of OCWM is that you can take home some of the goodness that you found.  <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/oc-wine-mart-and-tasting-bar-irvine-2?select=keengVs2NfdGpPpbknVOIA#keengVs2NfdGpPpbknVOIA">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a> Â
Will I be back? You betcha!
Pleasantly surprised...purchase a wine card & use your yelp discount 15$ for 20$ worth of tastings. The wines are chilled or room temp and mechanical. A brief description on a card is above. Nice ladies will change the bottles of wine when they're getting low or finished/ sputtering, just wave at them and they'll ask which one you'd like to taste or if you'd like the same one.
So we lucked out and had some Trinidad put in. LOVED their cheese plate (also had a coupon on YELP!).
You can bring food from the food court nearby or pizza from next door. I ended up purchasing 2 Rieslings and bacon maple chocolate. Tables, counters to rest your purses. Couples and bromances there. I was there with my girlfriend, she's a regular and introduced me to the peeps there. What a nice treat. Will definitely make this a let's meet here for lunch or right after work place.
Very low key here and no one's "showing off" here.
I sneaked out of work for sip of wine with my coworker. lol  I bought a card with certain amount of money. I tried couple of wines interested and free cracker they provide. this place has new concept of wine tasting with brilliant card. And i loved they provide wine glass not paper cup even for sipping . You can taste bunch of wines with small amount of money. I recommend this place for hang out and also by yourself.
Review Source:Van D and I were having dinner and trying to figure out what to do next when she suggested wine tasting!!! I was thinking, "damn, girl you fancy..." But she told me OC Wine Mart isn't your typical wine tasting, it's actually pretty casual and you self serve what you want from dispensing machines! Of course, I was down!!
When we went there, we were greeted by Julie's cousin who was working the register and recognized Van D from previous visits! She was suuuper friendly and talkative helping set us up with a tasting card. I ended up getting a $30 wine tasting card since the values never expire so you can always come back and spend the rest!! They also sell wine by the bottles, beers, and other drinks throughout the store, but besides the little walk we took looking around the store, we stuck to the wine tasting area.
The wine tasting area looked really cute with the wine dispensing machines, two little tables and a bar counter area. You get your glass, stick your wine tasting card in a machine, and press the button for the wine of your choosing to get a little in your glass. It's around $1-$4 per oz. There's also complimentary crackers to go with your wine but we decided to get a cheese platter which came with four different cheeses, fruit jam, salami, grapes, and fresh warm bread. It was pretty fancy but a little pricy at like $19... However, they offered that if we wanted more of any kind of cheese to just ask which was nice. The cheese platter was pretty big tho so we couldn't even finish what we had. Julie's cousin followed us to the wine tasting area and chatted up with us. Seriously felt like she was one of the girls!!! It was like she was our gracious hostess. Haha she even recommended some wines that she herself enjoys, dimmed the lights for us, and brought the remote to the tv in case we wanted to change the channel.
I was told that we could bring in our own food to enjoy with our wine as many people bring takeout and eat their meal here with the variety of wines. So I'll definitely be back for a casual hangout with friends, maybe another dinner date with Van D, or even just by myself with some lunch or dinner!
Great place to hang out with friends. Â Their wine tasting station is from a machine, rather than poured by hand. Â You can buy a bottle of beer or wine at the store and sit and enjoy with your company. Â They have a cheese platter they offer, as well as complimentary crackers, however they allow you to bring in food to enjoy with your beverage of choice. Â Plus, it's a cool way to chat with other guests. Â They have events and happy hour specials as well.
Review Source:Saw this place on yelp and had a friend coming out to visit so I told her we should stop by here to check it out and I'm so glad we did! Kat helped us get our discount wine tasting cards and we sat down at a table and started tasting. So many great wines to try and I love that we get to go up and pick the ones we want to try all by ourselves! I left there purchasing 4 bottles of wine and probably would have left with more. Their selection is great! I loved the atmosphere and really thought Kat was a sweetheart, she even was nice enough to take a photo of my friend and I. I definitely will be coming back! :)
Review Source:I really like this place a lot.  For some reason, I was expecting something like a Bacchus Cellar, but to my surprise it is a small wine shop/convenient  store.  The store  has all types of alcoholic beverages, but specializes more in wine.  Not only that but I love how they have the wine dispensing machines.  I thought it was pretty neat how you get a prepaid card and then put it in the machine to get the various types of wines offered.
Pros:
Great wine selection with really good prices. Â
There are a lot of different wines to sample, in all price ranges.
I was impressed to see that the glasses they use are Riedel.
Very nice and clean. Â
They seem to have a lot of special wine tasting events here. Â I heard that they had a tasting of Opus One, Joseph Phelps Insignia, Sea Smoke, and Caymus. Â Really wish I could have been there for that one.
Cons:
none
This is an awesome place!!! Â I highly recommend trying it out. Â Cant wait to go back again.
Hmm, the first thing that comes to mind when I first saw the inside was "classy." I used to work at Total Wine and it was very warehouse-y whereas Julie's place is intimate and well organized. What really impressed me were her wine tasting machines. So much better than Total Wine's and just higher-class.
I originally went here during a private tasting for Kala (Mexican Cuisine Food Truck) and then again during the Small Business day after Thanksgiving. And both times, I always had fun during my visit and have left thoroughly satisfied both times. Julie really knows how to tailor her wine suggestions to your tastes and keeps it friendly through out. Also her staff is just as friendly too! For me, I get the impression that it isn't just a place for retail sales. It's a place to come in, chat with the friendlies, taste some wine, enjoy our time there, roam around and then take something home to drink for dinner or gift away.
It's mainly wine but she also has a nice selection of craft beers too. I saw the Black Phoenix which was my approval immediately. She does a lot of events like wine tasting and the sort so there's always something happening there! Would definitely come back for my future wine purchases.
The cheese platter was alright. I shared with 3 other friends btw. I liked how they gave you a variety of cheese from light to strong to pungent, soft and hard. The bread wasn't too great. The free crackers went with it better in my opinion.
The wine selection I didn't really like. It was decent, not bad though. It's too limited in my opinion. The fact that I didn't use up my card is a good indication. Â Maybe they do change out and rotate the selection. I don't know.
Just FYI, I actually prefer cocktails rather than wine. If I had to pick a wine, I would like white wine in most cases. This may have influenced my review since they offered more red than white with different flavors, including bitterness.
The service was great though, very attentive and answered all our questions. Two of my friends actually did find a wine they liked and bought a bottle each.
I may give it another try some day I guess.
Our group held an event here last night and it was so much fun!!! The environment defintely allows for great mingling and what better way to start up a conversation than, "hey, which wine did you like better?" LOL!!
I love the self serve tasting stations and I definitely recommend getting their cheese and meat platter because it enhances your wine in addition to providing something in your tummy so you don't get too tipsy too fast  :) They do provide complimentary crackers too.
Service and staff were extremely friendly.
We will be coming back for sure and bringing more friends!!
DECOR: When You walk in, its a small place and looks like a little Liquor Store, but its nice. In the corner is the Wine Tasting area, with chairs and tables you can sit at and enjoy the wine. Its a nice little spot!
SERVICE: All of the staff was so nice and friendly. They came and checked on us frequently and also answered any questions we had. They seemed to know a lot about wines and what was good to pair with them.
FOOD: The Wines were great!! I got a groupon to use and it was well worth it. I still have leftovers from the cards and they said we can come in and use it anytime and that it NEVER EXPIRES which is awesome! Yuo can also purchase a cheese tray which is pretty reasonably priced and it comes with 4 different cheeses, bread, crackers, a little jelly. It was really nice and went well with the wine tasting. They also do offer free crackers to cleanse your palette between tastings. The wines range from $1 an oz to about $5...so its well worth it and you can use a $15 or $20 card on multiple trips there...depending on how much wine you like to drink :)
RECOMMENDATIONS: The NEW AGE wine is wonderful if you like sweet wines. There were some red wines that were great too. I wish I could remember all the names, but I cant remember, especially after a few glasses of wine.
I really enjoyed this place with my friends and will definitely be back to use up my wine cards. I would definitely recommend this to wine lovers. Its a nice place to go with a few people.
They also have a nice selection of wines that are reasonably priced.
I've had this place bookmarked for so long!! One day I was on my lunch at the food court nearby and I realized how CONVENIENT this location was to me. So one evening after a rough day at work, I dropped some work clothes off at the dry cleaner in the same plaza and walked over for some wine tasting...
I walked around and looked at the variety of things sold, and I ended up getting a $30 tasting card. I tried some white wines and some red wines and it was just a very mellow atmosphere. It was exactly what I needed after work. They have the wines for $1.00-$3.00 per oz. And I believe they also have beers, malts, and ales to sample.. But I'm not really a beer gal so I didn't really ask into it.
It was also nice cause they have complimentary crackers and cheeses to have with the wines. Not only that, but they allow their guests to bring in some dinner, perhaps togo-ed from another place, to eat it here with the variety of wines.
One thing that caught my attention was the Moet et Chandon!! It's my favorite champagne and I saw that they had it!!
Overall, I will definitely be back here whether it's by myself or with some friends :D I signed up for their events so hopefully they'll have one soon that fits into my schedule!!
I'm not much of a wine expert, but that's what makes this place so incredible. Â The premise is rather simple, but brilliant at the same time. Â It's a liquor store with an emphasis on some very nice wines, and to add a twist, they offer wine tasting as well. Â I'm very much a wine noobie, but this place made it easy for me to track down what I really like.
I'm a very big fan of the Von Hovel which is a Riesling. Â It has the sweetness that I tend to like in my drinks (yes, I am a guy who likes fruity drinks, so sue me). Â
If you're overwhelmed by the selection, Julie, the owner, is an incredible guide. Â She knows her wine and can point you in the right direction. Â Orange County isn't by any means a wine tasting destination for most people, but if you need a fix, you can't go wrong with OC Wine Mart. Â The section of the store that houses the wine tasting is a nice place to chillax (yep, I still use that word) with some friends and enjoy yourself. Â
They do host some events as well. Â The one we went to was a sangria tasting with some live music and a food truck. Â Great bang for your buck.
Worth a little extra drive!
I love family owned businesses and OC Wine Mart is all that and more! Julie is an incredible owner who is a wine devotee, but not a wine snob. Â She makes you feel welcome as if you're a guest in her home. Â Plus the self-serve wine tasting machine (I think it's called an enomatic...or something like that) makes trying a variety of tastes at your own speed a breeze.
About a week ago, my hubby and I went to OC Wine Mart for wine tasting with a ukelele lesson with Julie's sister Kim. Â What an amazingly fun evening! Kim really did help us learn to play some basic songs in under an hour (although I have to give credit to the wine for helping to loosen us up a bit LOL). Â Julie's mom was hosting us since Julie was out - see what I mean about a warm, wonderful family business?
Love this place - will be back soon :)
OC Wine Mart is run very professionally by Julie. Their customer service is definitely the best I have discovered. If you're not very knowledgeable about wine, OC Wine Mart will take care of you with genuine recommendations based on your tastes.
They also throw spectacular events. They are a great location to host networking events and more. They always have great food catered in, along with their delicious cheese platters.
OC Wine Mart is my #1 choice for wine purchases in the OC. Only complaint is when Julie isn't there!
My go-to place to buy Tobin James wine and other wines I usually can't find anywhere else. But on top of a great boutique wine list, owner Julie Lim is incredibly knowledgeable about wines and can guide you to the right wine in your price range.
Best of all is the wine dispenser that holds around 20 wines, which range from $1 per taste to more than $10 per taste (on those rare days when Julie puts Opus One on the tasting list). Always fun to try new wines while retasting favorites.
Julie also holds weekly wine tasting events, often with the winery owner or rep there to pour and answer questions. She usually has various cheeses and breads/crackers to taste with the wines.
If you've never been here, go! You'll be back again and again.
The first time I went to OC Wine Mart & Tasting Bar was during their anniversary celebration and it was awesome!!!
I was speechless not only because the variety of wines, but also for the personalized advise that Julie gave me. She really knows what is she talking about :)
To complete the celebration, they had Taco Maria, YUMMMMM!!!!
If you have read my reviews, you know Pinot Noir is my favorite wine, and Julie recommended me this glorious and smooth "juice" <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/oc-wine-mart-and-tasting-bar-irvine-2?select=9XqfiP4qE4BfY1hav4k59w#9XqfiP4qE4BfY1hav4k59w">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>
good for my palate and good for my wallet.
Also I found a present to somebody, but thank god I don't have to see them any more LOL - <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/oc-wine-mart-and-tasting-bar-irvine-2?select=FcYSWM6yQMssPecYtubddQ#FcYSWM6yQMssPecYtubddQ">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>
They have a great wine tasting system with cards, their Yelp deal is awesome.
On my second visit I went with the former Duke of Loonie, Sidney S. He is a real connoisseur  so the tasting was even better, then we had a cheese plate.
<a href="http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=60uaMp4f8f8zCFq9dxc5cA">http://www.yelp.com/user…</a>
Totally Heavenly!!!!!!!!
Everything was really good, but my favorite was their lavender cheese.
Too bad this place is not really close to me, I'd love to live at a walking distance :) :) Hmmmmm maybe not, that'd be too dangerous! hahaha
Great shop for wine experts and amateurs (like me)
Highly recommended, I'll be back!!!
This re-review is a long time coming, due to my unfortunately WAY too over-busy schedule. Â That being said, shortly after my last review, I was contacted by the owner Julie regarding my experience at OC Wine Mart. Â She invited us to the Justine wine tasting event, which spotlighted one winery and had pours from the bottle. Â Since I'm open to second chances, I thought I'd give it a shot. Â This review is based on the wine event.
The lady giving doing the pouring was nice and friendly. Â She even told us how to "saber" open a bottle of champagne as her pre-teen son was in the process of learning how to do so. Â That was instantly put on my list of things to teach my someday child. Â "Son, open up a bottle of champagne for the party, and use your sword this time!" Â Ok, so that sounded a little wrong, but it would still be a pretty cool skill to have.
Anyway, Julie was there, and very nice and friendly as well. Â She explained that she was more a "foodie" than a "wino," which was proved by some amazing cheeses and macaroons which were laid out for the event. Â I have since been back and purchased macaroons for a couple of different special occasions. Â In between sips and noms, I wandered back over to the wine machine and noted that some of the more high end bottles that had been promised when I originally tried out the store, had now been included in the offerings. Â I can't speak as to whether the plastic-y taste was there, but I was delighted to see that my concern regarding putting more "known" wines in the machine had been addressed.
All in all, I would probably have given the wine tasting event 4 stars. Â However, due to the just absolutely class act customer service, friendliness, and attentiveness of the owner Julie (which is otherwise hard to find these days), I felt an additional star was merited.
This place is great. My sister and I stopped by the OC Wine Mart & Tasting Bar after I picked her up from the airport. As soon as we entered we were immediately greeted by Julie and given a full introduction to the wine tasting area and available wines. She even replaced one of the empty bottles with one of my favorite wines. We ordered the cheese platter which was absolutely delicious. Julie was also helpful with telling us which cheeses we should pair with the available wine tastings.
The beauty of this set up is that if/when you find a wine/cheese that you love, you can buy a bottle/wedge to take home with you.
Honestly, the service makes this place really stand out. I will definitely be back.
I enjoyed my time at the OC Wine Mart & Tasting Bar. Â I spent most of the time in the tasting area. Â They had a good selection of wine to choose from. Â The ladies shared important information about pairing and the wine selection.
Overall, it was a good experience and I will be visiting again.
What would it look like if Starbucks met wine? You know, a little shop with great selection, speedy check-out, and even a spot to relax, taste, and eat for a moment? Here it is. It's our very own OC Wine Mart. Move over Vente Latte.
Tired of the usual spot to meet and chat, a gal pal and I tried out the OC Wine Mart based on a recommendation from some fellow Yelp friends. So we stopped in and browsed the wine selection before venturing over to the counter to ask about the tasting. The lady behind the counter was very friendly and helpful. Unlike the traditional quick mart, here you can come/go quickly or, if you want to linger, you receive true hospitality. She not only sold us our wine card, she gave us a short tour, walked us to the wine dispensers, explained the process, and checked in on us once we got started.
If you know me, you know that I'm always hungry. So, I convinced my pal to split a cheese plate with me. When it arrived, it was more plentiful than I had imagined. Bonus! More for me.
Before we left, I asked if the owner, Julie, was in. She wasn't in that evening. It is a mark of excellence when the owner can step away but the staff still treats each customer with care.
Quick or slow, go at your own pace. Either way, you are welcome at the OC Wine Mart. So, grab your coffee in the morning, but grab some wine in the evening.
Used a pretty awesome Yelp deal here, $15 for $30 worth of wine. When we got there, the owner was very friendly and told my boyfriend and I how everything worked. Very modern system, which I thought was kind of fun.
It is in a small liquor store, but almost half of the store is sectioned off for wine and wine tasting. You get your card and put it into the machine, and you get about a 3 oz pour of your choice of wines. They range in prices from $1 to $5.75, atleast when I was there. They do offer a fruit and cheese platter I believe, but it didnt seem worth the price. Depending on what time you go, theres a food court open in the same shopping center.
My only complaint is that they closed a little early, 7 on a Saturday. But you can keep your card and use it another time. So I will definitely be back to finish that up!
I have to give a shout out to  my fellow Yelper Sidney S.,  his review led me to give his place a try. If I had to describe this place it is a wine shop that happens to have an area for wine tasting. The shop has a really nice selection of wines and the prices are actually competitive!
The way the tastings work is you get a card from the cashier, and put some money on it. You then can use his card in the auto mated tap to purchase tastings of different wines. There are probably 20 or so wines available for tastings. They range from Silver Oak Cabernet for about $5.00 to an offering from San Antonio winery that tasted like spiked grape juice (seriously, stick with the good stuff). My wife and I were having so much fun we ended up reloading the card. We discovered two new wines we really liked and ended up buying a bottle of each (like I said their prices are not bad).
The only food offerings are chocolate, macaroons and an actually really good cheese platter. Â I really wish they had more food offerings. The staff here was extremely friendly and helpful, as well as knowledgeable.
I really wish this place was closer to home for me. I may have to plan a return trip to pick up a bottle of Sea Smoke that Sidney mentioned!
This is a great concept. Having to taste your wine before you actually buy it. It's not a real bar per se. It's more of wine store, like a quickie mart but with an area designated for just wine tasting.
So you get the best of both worlds of buying your snacks and getting your daily necessities from a typical mini-store to getting a taste of several wines while enjoying some cheese and conversing with the owner Julie.
Again, Julie is so personable and down to earth. I was tasting the wine by myself but she made some time out of her busy wine stocking job to engage some conversation with me. She is definitely there to help the customer. But customer service wasn't really her focus. She was more of a friend when she talks with you so you even feel more comfortable as you enjoy some of their wine.
You can bring food too if you want. Sure they have macarons and cheese, and some complimentary crackers, but don't hesitate to bring in your favorite dish to compliment your wine.
And whether you are a wine aficionado or a total rock like myself, Julie is there providing guidance on wine etiquette. You will learn a lot from her. She gives good recommendations of restaurants in the Orange County as well.
There are many events that she hosts throughout the year so keep your eyes open, including some blind taste testing too. Also, check in and use your Yelp app as there are random specials that she offers.
I'll definitely coming back and bring some friends over as well.
I was kinda confused when I walked in, even though I was surrounded by regulars.
Go to the counter.
Buy a tasting card. The $30 card actually gets you $40 - good deal.
Those empty wine glasses you see on the counter are yours to try with. If they are not there, the counter has cabinets you can open and grab a glass.
Go to tasting machine.
Insert card in machine.
Put wine glass under desired taster.
Push button, hold wine glass there.
Now ... realize ... these are 1oz pours in big fancy wine glasses. No heavy pour for you!
But, overall, I really like the ease of this system. You can pick and choose and go at whatever speed you'd like. There's $1 pours and there's $5 pours. You pick.
I had some kinda smoked gouda cheese that was packed with goodness. Good-ahhh .... get it?
Place is bigger than I expected, super clean, super friendly, and they even carried my sexy boyfriend's favorite beer that's damn near impossible to find.
I am a total control freak, and I hate new year's resolutions. Â But this year I decided to reduce my personality type from A to A- (of course, this is no reflection of the grade I would receive, as, clearly, it would be an A), but, part of going for regular A to A- is to be more spontaneous. Â Which is in part of what led me to OC Wine Mart on Saturday. Â
Since this place comes highly recommended by some of my most trusted yelpmigos, special thanks to wine martechie Sidney S. who joined me for a tasting or two, I knew I had to try it. Â After a relaxing half day of movies and yoga, I found myself wanting to go, but, alas, I am type A and I like a plan. Â Oh wait, I remembered I am now A-, so I'll just go! Â And go, I did, and it paid off! Â
When I first walked in, I was the only one there. Â Pleasant enough. Â I liked spreading out throughout the tasting area, where I got a special tutorial from Audrey, who was manning the shop. Â She was delightful, and we talked for a few minutes about all sorts of fun things. Â Before anyone tells, I am not a true wine connoisseur, but I do enjoy a yummy and fun time. Â Now that I am super spontaneous KT of 2012, and not controlly KT of yore, I was able to venture out of my wine comfort zone and try all sorts of wine. Â I did, finally, settle on a Riesling, that I took home for a later meal. Â
Being spontaneous has its downfalls, I recently encountered. Â I didn't eat lunch, and I was drinking wines called "Royal Bitch", OC Wine has a delish solution. Â The exquisite cheese plate. Â Even sharing, it was huge! Â Filled me up for lunch and dinner. Â Yum ... cheese + grapes + delish crackers = spontaneity paying off threefold. Â I also (on a whim, look at me) picked up some delicate roons and some purple haze for later treats. Â All in all, I am glad that I went, and I will return only this time for class! Â I also will return for Audrey's truly touching rendition of "When Irish Eyes are Smiling", which had these Irish eyes smiling for a few days.
Yes I finally made it, thanks to Jeena E for the invite to join fellow Yelpers Dan H, Steven N and her hubby and closet yelper Aaron! Â It allowed me the opportunity to finally meet Julie L Owner/hostess with the mostess!!!
What a great place with a great selection of wines and beer! Â One reason it took me forever to get here is that I've recently realized I'm allergic to wines. Â Yes I know that totally sounds crazy but I happen to have it. Â I like reds over whites and when I do go out for a nice meal I will get a glass but often times I end up not even being able to finish it. Â Plus being hapa my mom's Japanese genes take over when I drink and I look flushed and drunk after one glass. Â Well lucky for me I also learned they have a good selection of specialty beers. Â Well now I can handle beer better. Â Aaron shared a bottle of beer with me that was very tasty. Â I cant remember the name of it but the it was really good. Â
Julie is amazing!!! Â It was such a pleasure meeting her. Â She really takes time meeting everyone and speaking to you and sharing her knowledge of the wines she carries in the store. Â She truly makes it a point to ensure that your enjoying what your drinking and that your having a great time. Â Not a lot of owners do this but Julie definitely takes pride in her business and that is wonderful thing to see when you walk into any business.
There are several wines setup at a dispensing machine. Â You purchase a card and use it at the machine by sticking it in a slot and push to pour! Â Howe easy is that right! Â If you want beer you go and grab one out of the cooler and pay for it at the counter. Â Whether you decide to taste wine or have beer you can purchase a cheese plate that includes artisan cheese, fruit and nuts. Â The store also has macarons. Â Julie also has a gourmet food truck out right in front of the store several times a month where you can bring into the store to eat along with your drinks.
This is a great place to get a little wine during your lunch break or start off your happy hour right!
Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence -- Robert Frost
A single lie destroys a whole reputation of integrity -- Baltasar Gracian
Let me tell you what OC Wine Mart is not. Â It is not as large as Wine Exchange, Total Wine, Hi-Times or even Wine Club or Bev Mo. Â The Tasting area is not a sanctum to wine yuppiness and trendiness like the Tasting Bars you find all over California (or in certain wineries that appeal to a certain wine lover type). Â It is a corner of a liquor store with a 20 bottle enomatic self-serve wine machine with both whites and reds to choose from. Â Because it is a small shop most times prices are a few bucks higher than elsewhere and selection is not as esoteric as the big boys like Wine Exchange (but different than Total Wine where too many of that chains 4,000 + bottles are just Gallo and Franzia level crap). Â The store is too small to be all things to all people and some people are not going to like it. Â Many of the 2-3 star reviews are perfectly valid.
What OC Wine Mart is though:
*It is Julie, the wonderfully energetic and knowledgeable owner
*It is the events, especially the food truck and wine tasting combos.
*It is the service like free local delivery or wine basket preparation as Robyn F. mentioned. Â
*It is the smartly chosen gourmet section which includes the wines (I have bought favorites like Sea Smoke, Broadside and Eveningland here), the cheese, the chocolates and other items like the macaroons.
*It is all the Yelpers, Elite and non-Elite who have taken this shop and Julie to it's heart and create a little community at almost each event. Â
That last point is why a certain reviewers asinine and flippant comment below "how this place has such a high rating; something is very fishy about that" is just so ignorant and irritating. Â With only 25 reviews as an insignificant contributor to the Yelp site, with no proof he not only maligns an inspiring business owner like Julie Lim but he also maligns every Yelp Elite or non-Elite that gave this shop four or five stars. This coming from a guy whose only writing of note is a one-star review of the City Of Irvine (really Captain Obvious??? Irvine is only meant for families and has no nightlife? Â Gee, what's next? Â A review of the sun making note that it rises and sets every day? Who doesn't know that Irvine shuts down too early - with the exception of Diamond Jamboree - and that OC still has sleepy backwater aspects to it in spite of it's wealth.)
Listen Sparky, your two star review is probably valid if you had different expectations based on the Yelp reviews, if you are comparing it to all those "great" wine places you mentioned you go to, but, don't smear other people's reputations just because YOU didn't like the place. Â Oh, look Ma, the great Rich C. doesn't like a place I guess that means the rest of us have "fishy" reviews because how could anyone disagree with a guy with 25 Yelp Reviews! Â All of those other reviewers must have been paid off or something! Â Quick, get the Warren Commission up and running again maybe we'll find out who killed Kennedy too! Â Where's Mulder and Scully???!!! Is the Smoking Guy involved??? The Men In Black??!! Â Trust No One!
Geez, buy a Parker Brothers game and get a Clue. Â We gravitated towards this place based on Julie's smart use of social media (you do realize Yelp is a social networking platform, right?) and we have stayed supporters because of all that I listed above that she does right.
The difference with an intelligent reviewer, and referencing Robert Frost's quote above, is that said reviewer can like or loath a place as much as possible while not questioning the motives of the people who disagree with their take. Â Pity that the "fishy" reviewer did not give the 140+ Yelpers who have rated OC Wine Mart so high the same benefit of the doubt before starting to spread unsubstantiated accusations online (which frankly says more about that reviewer than the Yelpers who made OC Wine Mart such a well-reviewed establishment).
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