Recently, I was visiting a friend in Mission Viejo and had the opportunity to visit A Hidden Vine on the Lake, a tasting room overlooking the Lake of Mission Viejo.  I had the chance to connect with one of the two co-founders, Mike Davis and was immediately in love with his and his partner, Marty Cruz’ approach to bringing a carefully curated wine experience to Orange County.  So many people are intimidated by the idea of sampling wines from around the world.  Add food pairings to the mix, and people would rather just go grab a beer instead!  A Hidden Vine on the Lake has eliminated the pretense around the wine experience by providing a well-educated staff, multiple ways to explore and learn about wine, and a food menu that offers fool-proof pairings to enhance your experience.  Head to the tasting room near sunset, load up your tasting card with credits, and get ready for a good time!  Here are my favorite takeaways for you to enjoy:

TASTINGS

A Hidden Vine on the Lake uses WineStation, a credit-based bottle dispensing solution that was new to me.  My first thought was that this technology would take away the ‘romance’ of the wine-tasting experience, but that wasn’t true.  The staff was incredibly attentive and available to answer questions, make wine suggestions, and assist in any way needed.  Also, there was no waiting for staff to bring your next pour because you could just help yourself to a taste, half glass or full glass whenever you wanted (WIN!).  I started by loading around $100 on my card, which gave me and my husband plenty of opportunity for multiple tastings and a few glasses of wine….and we had credit left over for a future visit (smart move, Mike and Marty!).  There were 20 different wines available for tasting in a variety of styles and price ranges, U.S. and Old World.

DAILY HAPPY HOUR

Who doesn’t love a deal?  A Hidden Vine on the Lake offers a daily happy hour from 4 – 6pm with up to 30% off select pours.

PURCHASING BOTTLES

The wine shop reflects the owner’s outstanding taste in U.S. and Old World wines…no “big box, mass-produced” wine-makers to be found.  You can purchase bottles and enjoy onsite, or take with you when you leave.  Members of the wine club receive discounts on bottle purchases.  I fell in love with Keola, a mix of Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Mourvèdre on my first visit and make sure to buy a bottle every time I visit.  Every. Time.

FOOD PAIRINGS

Did you know that there is a BellaVitano cheese that’s been dipped in crushed espresso that pairs amazingly with buttery Chardonnay or slightly chilled Pinot Noir, Shiraz or Merlot?  Add a few bites of dark chocolate, dried fruit (apricots) and nuts and you’re officially experiencing heaven on earth.  Luckily, A Hidden Vine on the Lake offers ALL of these amazing treats and can help you select from a large selection of gourmet cheeses, meats, flatbreads and accouterments to complement any wines you may be enjoying.

WINE CLUB

I like the approach to the wine club, too.  There are three different levels (Silver, Gold and Royal) where you select to receive two bottles based on a specific price point.  The wines are curated by the owners and you can opt for monthly or quarterly shipments (which are free).  Super easy.  No additional or annual fees.  Cancel at any time.

LIVE MUSIC.  DOG LOVERS.  ETC.

On the weekends, you can enjoy live music on the outdoor balcony, and be sure to bring Fido because well-behaved, leashed dogs are most welcome and will receive water and biscuits and declare the tasting room their new favorite place.  Don’t forget your camera, especially if you are onsite for sunset because the photo ops are Instagram-worthy.  Also, be sure to check their website for special winemaker tastings and events.

For the record, I am not being paid for this review.  I just like pointing out cool wine experiences…created by cool people….that can be enjoyed by anyone.  Since discovering this spot, I make a point to plan a visit whenever I’m down in the O.C.  I always find a new wine to enjoy,  grab a bite from the kitchen, and chat it up with other wine enthusiasts.  If you’re in the area, check out A Hidden Vine on the Lake.  Cheers!

A Hidden Vine on the Lake
27772 Vista Del Lago, Ste B-15
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
949.916.4810 | t
AHiddenVine.com