Wine country is closer than you think.

When we think of Malibu we think of sun, sand and surf & turf.  But there is more to this beachside town than meets the eye.  Take a few steps back into the hills, and you’ll discover a mini oasis of fertile soil producing some delicious varietals that rival the wines coming out of Santa Barbara.  Best part is, you don’t have to drive 90 miles north.

Sip Malibu: You can see this tasting room right off of Kanan Rd., though it still is hidden to some.  Tasting flights are as affordable as $10 for four pours and on Sunday you can have a breakfast burrito with your wine during brunch.

Cornell Winery and Tasting Room: Its motto is “Drink Local Wine” and it’s easy to follow with over 20 local wine makers to choose from in an art deco meets log cabin setting.  You can finish off your tasting next door at “The Old Place” for dinner where the menu is limited, but delicious and almost everything is cooked in a cast iron skillet.  Need I say more?

Rosenthal Estate Wines: The sipping room is in a separate location from the actually winery (right on PCH to be precise), but PCH isn’t a bad place to drink a vino or two.  Show off your true local spirit while sampling its Surfrider collection, “fine wines with a Malibu mindset.”

Malibu Family Wines: Drink your wine in the great outdoors (sorta).  While the winery has a lovely tasting room, the best of this vineyard is the expansive grounds and unique animal life. Who doesn’t want to drink wine while admiring a Zebra?  (Not a bad place to host a wedding either).

Images courtesy of Malibu Family Wines and Flickr