Fine winemaking has been the Bianchi family’s vocation for three generations. That passion has grown deep roots in Paso Robles, where Glenn Bianchi purchased 40 acres for a vineyard and winery in 2000. Now, the Bianchi family has opened a tasting room in Laguna Beach, the city they have called home since 1982.
The new venue is a satellite tasting room, complementing the main one at their boutique family winery in Paso Robles. For the family, this is an opportunity to share their passion for winemaking with locals and visitors alike.
last October, the tasting room began a long soft-opening, with irregular hours and special events for their wine club members as they fine-tuned their operations, before fully opening their doors for regular operations on February 1.
The lineup consists of several delicious whites, fruit-forward reds, along with some bold and adventurous reserves and blends.
“We like to make wine relatable to anyone that walks through our doors, painting a picture of the wine by relating it to anything from a curvy woman, a movie, a flavor, or even by expressing how to pair wine with food,” said tasting room manager Cristina Martinez. “Our intention is to educate and elevate the tasting experience by imparting some knowledge of wines and allowing guests to fully engage their senses with wine and food pairings.”
Currently, the Laguna Beach Tasting Room offers two tasting flights: Wet Your Whistle (two Signature pours and one Reserve) and The Bianchi Experience (three signature and two reserve pour).
Joseph Bianchi pioneered the family’s foray in the California winemaking when he invested in a winery and vineyard on the banks of the San Joaquin River in the Central Valley back in 1974. Bianchi Wine became an industry leader and producer of award-winning wines.
Joseph’s son Glenn Bianchi, continued his father’s devotion to producing premium wines, which led him in 2000 to start a 40-acre winery and vineyard in Paso Robles on the Central Coast. Now, third-generation Beau Bianchi is at the forefront of the family efforts. The Laguna Beach Tasting is his brainchild.
“Laguna Beach is home, so it made sense to bring a tasting room to the place my family calls home,” said Beau. “I look forward to seeing neighbors, friends and travelers alike in the tasting room, so they can experience the wines we are so passionate about.”
The tasting room is located at 496 N. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach, and can be contacted at 949-646-9100..
