Newport Beach

CasaDamí is a legitimate wine-forward destination hiding inside a Newport Beach café concept — the Italian and French list punches well above what the casual harbor vibe suggests. Send a friend here with instructions to order Italian red and the steak.

The Rusty Pelican is a reliable, well-maintained California wine list served with a killer view and zero ambition to surprise you — and sometimes that's exactly what you want. Send a friend here for a date night, not for a wine education.

The Winery earns its name and its Wine Spectator hardware — this is one of the most serious wine programs you'll find attached to a waterfront seafood and steak concept in Southern California. Markups are real, but Wednesday's half-price wine night is your move if you want to explore the upper tiers without the full damage.