Wine Gallery: The Local’s Choice for Wine

Finding a true local’s place is every traveler’s dream. Who wouldn’t want to escape the throngs of tourists and long waits for an amazing meal in a warm, friendly space? South Laguna locals and other residents in-the-know grab a glass of vino and a comforting dinner at the Wine Gallery on Pacific Coast Highway, a neighborhood gathering place for everyday celebrations. 

It all started in 1999 by Chris Olsen, after he became bored working in the mortgage business. Lucrative, but detestable, he laughs, “it was not my calling.” He recalled his joy at taking a wine tasting class years earlier at UC Santa Barbara and decided to take a step forward in his career change, investing in a small wine store in his hometown of Corona del Mar. 

Olsen fell hard for the wine culture, growing the petite shop with a focus on small production wine into a larger store with a tasting bar. 

The concept became so popular that he paired up with business partner Paul Spiegelman, and moved the Wine Gallery to Laguna Beach in 2012. They transformed it into the esteemed restaurant that it is today with a friendly staff, full kitchen, and wood-fired oven imported from Italy that cooks the menu’s proteins, vegetables, and -- now-famous -- selection of pizzas.  

While customers crave their pizzas, they also come for the mouthwatering short rib tacos and half-pound Wine Gallery Burgers, which have become one of their bestselling items of late. Their arugula salads and fig and date bruschetta pairs well with nearly any glass from their impressive wine list. (Of which, there is no shortage of fine varietals to choose from.) Customer favorites include Frank Family Chardonnay and Chappellet, as well as the Mile 216 La Encantada Pinot, which is from Olsen’s own wine label and a homage to the number of miles from his home in Newport Beach to the Santa Ynez Valley. 

Today, the wine connoisseur lives just two minutes from work at the Wine Gallery, just one of the many things he loves about having a business in Laguna Beach. He never has to leave town (a challenge, as anyone who has been in and out of Laguna during the summer months can attest) and with two children in the local school district, his business allows him to truly be a part of the community. Having a restaurant four doors from the ocean isn’t bad either. “It’s such a beautiful place to live and work,” he says, full of gratitude. 

Check out the Wine Gallery’s special industry night prices for hospitality workers every Sunday, $20-off-bottle Mondays, and a very fitting alternative to Taco Tuesday: the extremely popular Tasting Tuesdays, where Olsen and his staff pour specially-themed wines from certain vintners or countries at a reasonable price. 

For those looking for a happy way to start their week, the Wine Gallery is your dinner destination! 

Victoria Kertz is a local journalist and the co-founder of Third Street Writers in Laguna Beach. Follow her on Instagram at @orangecountess.

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