In mid March, I'll be staying at La Costa in Carlsbad for a few days. I'm driving down from LAX and was wondering if there are any "must stop" wine stores along the way or other wine-related experiences in the Carlsbad area? Thanks.

Hi Zeke,

Not a lot of wine related stuff right in Carlsbad. There is a Friday night tasting at Winestreet. It's a bit expensive for what they pour. I think I have the monthly tasting schedule. I'll send you a PM if I can find it. They do serve appetizers with the tasting gratis.

Winestreet is the only real store in Carlsbad. Pricing is a bit high usually, the store is located in the Crazy Burro center just north of the resort.

Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondio has a good selection but the prices vary. The lower portion of the store is climate controlled so their older wines have always been in good shape when I have purchased them. If you pick and choose you may find some bargains.

Try the Von's at El Camino Real and Aviara Parkway. A remarkably good selection for a supermarket plus you get a 10% discount with VonsClub card for purchases of 6 or more bottles and you can mix and match.

The seafood buffet on Friday night at the Four Seasons at Aviara is a good deal if you like lobster. Not the finest cuisine but all the lobster you can eat, among other seafood dishes for about $40. Make reservations now if you're interested or you may not get in. The wine list is not great and rather overpriced though. Corkage is between $20 and $25. I don't remember which.

If you are looking for a great meal try Vincent's Sirino's in Escondido. About a half hour drive from Carlsbad but a good Provencal style dinner house. Zagat rates it at 26 out of 30 for food. The wine list is ok but they charge $15 for corkage. Not bad considering that is about the going rate for this area.

I can recommend a few other restaurants in the area if you are interested. Send me a PM.

Stop in at Meritage also nearby. Don't know address but phone #760-479-2500

I stopped in Meritage the other day to check it out. One day a week, I think it's Tuesday or Wednesday, they offer bottles at half-off.
I asked the women proprietor how she pronounced the restaurant's name and she said, "Mer-i-tahhhge," quickly adding, "I know, I know, it's Mer-i-tidge, but we figured everyone would pronounce it wrong anyway."

Looked like an okay place, pleasant enough. Medium list.

My Carlsbad trip-

I stayed at La Costa resort which was in the middle of renovations. I was disappointed on the general condition of the resort and I don't think I'll go back. The golf course was nice but nothing spectacular. This is the one Tiger Woods won the match play tournament on. If I ever return there I will stay at the Four Seasons which is a spectacular hotel.

I stopped at the Wine Exchange on my way to Carlsbad. Thanks to those whop recommended it. It is an amazing place and I puchased a mixed case+. I am on their mailing list and will have them ship to relatives in NYC. Great wine store.

Meals :
Aux Delices north of San Diego-which was in a strip mall but had spectacular food and service. Decor was lacking. The Wine List included some Turley and Martinelli at a reasonable prices (Jackass-$80) I got the 1999 Duarte for ~$50 Restaurant was a nice surprise. There was a big wine shop with decent prices behind the restaurant (?name) but I did not make any purchases.

Meritage-Solid food, noisy atmosphere, expensive wine list. Got the Patz and Hall Hyde Vineyard chard for &75.

Four Seasons-Vivace. Restaurant has amazing decor and service. Very good food. Wine list was a bit expensive but I found a 2000 Turley Old Vines for $50

La Passage-small, quaint French Bistro. Again, very good food and service. Wine list was lacking but I brought a 1999 Atalon Merlot that I purchased from Winex. $12 corkage fee.

I stopped at Winestreet but their prices were through the roof. They had a Friday night wine tasting for $20 that seemed worth it (Tig and a couple other decent names) but I did not make it back.

Overall a nice trip. I wish the weather was a bit warmer and that La Costa met my expectations.

Thanks everyone for their recommendations,.

Zeke - were the La Costa workers still picketing when you were there? Unfair wages, apparently. Maybe they just picket when the TV cameras are there.
I agree the renovations are a mess, but the place should be gorgeous when they are finished. With you on the Four Seasons Aviara, however. It is much, much nicer. La Costa has more of the older spa ambience. The course was looking pretty good a few weeks ago.

Nice notes, Zeke

QOH-The La Costa workers were wearing buttons saying something about healthcare benefits. No open picketing. I'm not really a spa person, my wife is. I definitely prefer the Four seasons. A bunch of holes were being dug up (?irrigation) and my ball hit a Catepillar (the back hoe not the bug). Still a nice course.