My husband and I were really looking forward to spending our Sunday afternoon at Five Vines Wine Bar in preparation for my blog. We were absolutely intrigued by this charming, family-owned place in San Juan Capistrano, which is also conveniently located within 20 minutes of our home.

San Juan Capistrano took us on a historic journey right from the arrival, starting from its iconic train depot which dates back to 1894 and the Rotary clock which is considered to be one of the neighborhood’s landmarks; it also serves as a meeting point.

We decided to take a short walk and explore the area while warming up for an upcoming wine tasting. We were pleasantly surprised by all the options the Los Rios Historic District has to offer: cozy dining areas, curated gift shops and charming tea couture houses. I truly enjoyed this atmosphere and all the garden curiosities that came along with it. Even though we had our plans set, I am definitely coming back to check out this district during golden hour. It must be magical!

Five Vines Wine Bar is a family-owned bar that proudly carries the core concept of “Family is everything.” In fact, the name itself represents a family of five: Randy, Suzy and their three sons. We were lucky to meet Cole, one of the sons, who managed to give his best service and make each guest feel special even in the busiest time of operations.

What started as a family dream is now recognized as the Best Restaurant in San Juan Capistrano. Suzy and Randy opened the doors in 2013 with the bold yet simple message, “Eat.Drink.Be.” You can feel the heart and the soul in each of its cozy bar corners. We also learned that the family actively participated in construction and even drilled 685 holes by hand into the wine wall!

I must say we were lucky to get a table, as shortly after we arrived, the place filled up with lots of cheers, laughter, great vibes and wine. With no doubt, we’ve always followed recommendations, and the “Flying Blind” tasting I’m trying next!

Adding to the venue’s appeal and uniqueness, the second floor serves as event space and can host functions up to 80 guests. The spacious outdoor patio also got pretty full during peak hours.

More than that, Five Vines supports boutique wineries and has a collection of over 60 wines available to try. The family also owns a branded retail store and their place also has a membership.

I decided to go with the white wine tasting menu and gourmet platter. I also couldn’t leave without trying the lime pie, of course, with a perfect pairing of refreshing Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, Priest Ranch.

Five Vines reminded me to aim for perfection and thrive with confidence and love, just as they’ve done by keeping a clear vision and raising the bar on quality; all is rooted in the core values. They proudly display the Swallow’s Cup trophy from the annual Taste of San Juan, which they have won three years in a row. Last year alone, Five Vines Wine Bar not only won the Swallow’s Cup trophy but also took first place in every possible category from Best Appetizer to Best Original Dish.

— Liza Miroshnichenko, account executive