Santa Ana is the city with the largest population in Orange County, California. Located on the Santa Ana River, near the Pacific Ocean, it is part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, alongside Long Beach.
Naturally, a big city in the wine state of America will offer some interesting choices... if you are looking for wine bars, wineries, and wine clubs!
Signature Club
The Wine Club Santa Ana
is the most famous local wine club and wine store. Launched in 1985, this signature Santa Ana wine club is famous for its excellent selection of wines and competitive prices.
(If you're interested, they also have stores in Santa Clara and San Francisco.) The original store was founded by Ron Loutherback in Santa Ana, while the two other stores were later additions.
Fountain of Youth
The wine club run by the South Coast Winery and Spa is one of the most original and interesting ones in the Santa Ana wine club scene.
The winery's magnificent buildings are surrounded by 38 acres of vines. Their yields are not only used to produce rich wine blends, but also to create the grape-based spa-treatments for their GrapeSeed Spa - a nice combination! :-)
Overlooking Mount Palomar, the spa's modern installations provide great opportunities for rejuvenation and relaxation. Here you can receive the benefits of wine through mind, body, and soul, as you enjoy a walk through the charming vineyards, pamper your skin with grape-based elixirs, and taste South Coast's famous California wines.
As a member of South Coast's wine club, you receive discounts on wine purchases, villa stays, spa treatments, and dining in both Vineyard Rose (at the winery) and the South Coast Winery Restaurant in Orange County.
This wine club Santa Ana offers quarterly wine selections with a choice between reds, whites, sweets, and mixed. Their exclusive Wild Horse Peak Posse plan showcases bold collectible reds every two months. Selection prices range between $30 and $75.
From the Family Vineyards
Another interesting winery-based Santa Ana wine club is the one run by Hamilton Oaks Vineyard.
This family winery is owned by Ron, his wife Connie, and their daughter Courtney. Located on the slopes of the beautiful hills of Trabuco Canyon, the vineyards were first planted with Cabernet Sauvignon in 1989. To this day, this varietal has remained the winery's most successful product, winning several national and international awards.
There are three different wine plans at Hamilton Oaks. As a Gold Club member, you'll receive 4 bottles in quarterly shipments, at a 25% discount, while Silver Club membership will give you 4 bottles twice a year, at a 20% discount. Or with a Bronze Club membership you'll receive 2 bottles also twice a year, at a 15% discount.
Silver and Gold shipments cost $100, while Bronze shipments are $50.
Attracted to Santa Ana
As a conclusion, Santa Ana offers many interesting choices, both if you are a wine lover in the quest for the perfect wine club, and if you are looking to explore the city's vibrant wine scene.
Its beautiful surrounding rivers and valleys, alongside the possibility of tasting hand-crafted wines and receiving rich grape-based spa treatments is a combo that will surely attract many avid wine enthusiasts (and maybe you!) from the four corners of California and the world.