California wines done right on the coast
Huntington Beach · Huntington Beach · American, French
Reviewed May 18, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Sitting on Pacific Coast Highway with a wine list that leans hard into California, Henry's makes its intentions clear from the jump — this is a place that takes its home state seriously. The list clocks in somewhere between 150 and 250 bottles, which is a real commitment for a coastal bistro, and sommelier Tony McCarthy's fingerprints are all over it. It's not trying to be a wine bar; it's trying to be the best version of itself, and mostly it succeeds.
The California focus here isn't lazy — it's curated. Napa Cab gets the spotlight treatment with Stag's Leap, Jordan, and Caymus all showing up, which covers everything from the restrained end to the fruit-forward crowd-pleaser side of the spectrum. Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir gets proper representation through Merry Edwards and Sea Smoke, two producers who actually earn their prices. The Chardonnay section — Rombauer, Far Niente, Sonoma-Cutrer — reads like a greatest hits of California whites, and the Central Coast entries from Dierberg and Au Bon Climat add some welcome nuance. If you're hunting for Burgundy or Barolo, you're going to be disappointed; this is a California list and it owns that lane completely.
With 12 to 20 options by the glass running $12 to $18, there's enough range to build a real meal around pours rather than committing to a bottle. That price band is reasonable for an upscale PCH address — you're not getting gouged just because the ocean is nearby. We'd love to see more rotation, but what's here is solid.
Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir — $40
Au Bon Climat punches well above its price in most restaurant contexts, and at the lower end of this list's range, it's the move if you want something with actual personality over pure brand recognition.
Dierberg Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay
Most tables go straight for Rombauer by name, but Dierberg's Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay is the more interesting pour — cooler climate, better acid, and the kind of restraint that actually works with food.
Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is everywhere, marked up everywhere, and you're paying a brand tax here. The Stag's Leap or Jordan will give you a more interesting glass for the same or less money.
Merry Edwards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir + Grilled salmon
Merry Edwards' Pinot has enough structure to stand up to rich, fatty fish without overwhelming it — exactly what you want when the menu skews coastal French-American.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Henry's is a reliable, well-tended California wine program with a genuine expert behind it — not flashy, but consistently good. If you're eating on PCH and want a bottle that was actually chosen with care, this is your spot.
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