A Hidden Vine

LOVE this Place… Great wine, venue and friendly atmosphere.

My husband and I first stopped by with our toddler on our way to dinner at Yama Sushi a few months ago. At that time we met Mike, and he welcomed us into the store with such enthusiasm, we automatically wanted to go back for a wine tasting. We finally got to try A Hidden Vine sans toddler tonight. It wasn’t too busy on a Saturday evening and we were able to sit outside in the covered patio. Mike helped us all evening, gave us a ton of wine info, and was extremely patient in helping us choose foods that complement the wines. We loved the flatbread choices. We had the Blue Onion and coming from someone who isn’t particularly fond of blue cheese, it was yummy! Overall, I love the laid-​back feel of A Hidden Vine. We got the wine tasting card, which allows us to go back to the machines and get a taste or glass of wine on our own timing. We had two friends with us, and we had a great time! Thank you Mike for such kind, and friendly service. I don’t know a lot about wine, and most of the info is probably lost on me tonight, but thank you for making wine accessible, and not intimidating! :)

This is definitely a hidden gem! I came here on a date and we got a bottle of wine. The wine was kinda costly $ 35 but very delicious. They also have wine on tap where you purchase a fill card and it deducts funds from the card for each glass. Their cheese and pâté are also very yummy. We sat outside right by the water. There are limited seating though so you might run into that problem.

This was my second visit to The Hidden Vine and it will not be my last. From the moment we walked in, Mike was so attentive, explaining the wines and how to work the «vending machine». There were so many wines to try with the option for a sip, a swirl, or a savor of each. The store also offers cheese platters if you would like something light to go with your wine. A waitress from the Peppino’s next door was on site to take orders and deliver dinner to Vine customers. The store’s location on the lake is beautiful and the warmers allowed us to enjoy dinner and drinks on the patio.
We will be going back again and telling others. Thanks Mike!

What a great fiind! I kept meaning to try this place out and finally made it in. A great wine selection for purchase or to consume on site. Beautiful patio offers perfect views on the sunset on the lake and a chance for me to look out on the water with my lovely french rosé. A card system is employed for wine not purchased by the bottle. Load/​reload a card with any amount you wish (like one does at Starbucks) and pick between a taste, half glass, or full glass from a self-​service machine in the rear of the store. I love the flexibility and convenience of this setup. Plus, the staff is wonderfully helpful, generous, and made me feel very welcome. Thank you, Mike! I have a new Sunday spot!

This place is awesome! Great to sit outside and taste the wines. These cool machines give yo you a taste or a whole glass when you buy the card to insert. They let my kids in and best of all, you can order food from the restaurants next door and have it delivered. We will be back again and again.

I’m a beer drinker, and I give this place 5 stars. First of all, the location is ideal. There’s a great view of the (fake) lake/​large pond, but as far as views goes this is as good as it gets in MV. So the ambiance is good. I brought my book club here after a member recommended it. I called a week in advance to ask about a reservation, and was told to call an hour before our group was due to arrive, which I did. Our table was reserved and set up which was wonderful. We were here on a Wednesday evening and had the patio almost to ourselves.
I thought the wines by the glass were a bit expensive ($ 9.75 was the most inexpensive wine they had) but it was a really good cabernet sauvignon. I had the blue cheese, honey and prosciutto flat bread which was above average and someone ordered a cheese and meat platter which looked amazing. I’d much rather go to a brewery but with a book club full of ladies who like their wine, what’s a gal to do but be FORCED to drink wine every other month… It’s a rough life in the OC! :-) Great service and the fact that this is a great location for groups will bring us back again.

My home away from home! There is no better location for a local wine shop/​tasting room. The view on the patio of Lake Mission Viejo is beautiful and tranquil. Mike, Marty and Ken are really great! The wine machines where you can select your own pours of three sizes, and create your own tastings is so fun! Their selection of cheese and charcuterie plates are always delicious and their addition of flatbreads are awesome. I love that they have an agreement with Peppino’s next door, where italian food can be delivered, in exchange if you dine at Peppino’s you can bring Hidden Vine bottles in at no charge!!! Awesome on both sides! The Friday night tastings with a wine expert is truly a delightful experience. The expansive plate of cheese, salamis etc pairs perfectly with the wines of the night. LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!

First time here. Lots of wines to choose from. Like the wine tasters on tap and the meat and cheese choices. We will defiantly be back!

Hidden Vine is a wonderfully-​kept secret on the Mission Viejo lake, I agree with the review below in that I’m hesitant to write a review because I don’t want too many people to find out about it. But to be fair to a great business — here is my review!
The store opens into a wine-​cellar feel with endless bottles available for purchase. Go to the counter though and ask to put money on a Hidden Vine card. You can use this card to select varying quantities of various types of wine (a sip, a swirl, or a savor). There are 16 types of wine to try at any given time. My girlfriend and I usually put $ 30 on a card and try at least 3 each. A sip is usually around $ 2, a swirl is usually $ 5-​$ 6, and a savor is between $ 9-​$ 11. Not bad pricing for the quality of wine.
After selecting your wine you go out on the patio and enjoy it while also enjoying the beautiful view of the lake.
You can also get food in the form of meat and cheese, I’ve never actually gotten any but it looks delicious and people seem happy with the food when they get it. The reason we haven’t gotten food is that we usually hit Hidden Vine after eating at Hacienda or Yama.
Overall, it’s a great place and if you like wine you should try it out — if nothing else you can enjoy the fabulous view of the lake.

This place is my «go-​to!» Great ambiance, service, wines, food… and sometimes you even meet some fun people too! Fun to try the self serve wines but the best value is purchasing a bottle. Staff make some yummy recommendations.

What a delightful place to dine at and enjoy great wine, flatbreads, a decadent variety of cheese and pâté, followed by what I believe is the best dark chocolate fudge I’ve tasted in a long time! Mike was such a delight and always made sure my friend and I were acknowledged and taken care of at all times! I look forward to telling people about this hidden gem and am definitely coming back!

I can’t believe it took us this long to try this place! It’s really nice, relaxing view & great wines. You start out by loading a card (with money) then you can taste, get a small pour or a regular glass of wine from this really cool machine, that every wine enthusiast should own. We found a few we really liked one was True Myth from Paso Robles. It’s a nice way to try different wine’s w/​o having to buy a full glass. We had a wonderful cheese plate a couple small glasses of wine & a very relaxing day over looking Lake Mission Viejo. The owner is very personable & friendly. We will diff. be going back.

The location is beautiful. The interior is fairly nice. Decent wine selection. Cheese and meat plates good.
My reason for the poor review is, I called to see if I could organize to pay for some tasting cards/​wine and some cheese plates for some guests ahead of time. I had informally invited some friends to celebrate my husbands birthday there. So I spoke with the owner and, in short, he said you can rent the entire balcony out for $ 2500 otherwise I don’t want your business. Ummmm really? I reiterated that I do not have a big group, and don’t expect anything to be private, I just wanted to see if I could pay for some drinks and food for some friends. He was a bit rude and said — «I’ll be busy anyway on Friday night, I need to make enough money to make the rent» blah blah blah. At that point he said I suggest you go elsewhere.
So… I called uncorked. One of our favorite local wine bars in RSM. They were crazy awesome amazing! Spoke with Martin. He said come on down. No deposits. No minimums. He actually suggested I come down that day because all wine was 10% off for a sale. He let me try anything I wanted! Bought 30 bottles and a bunch of food. Pre paid for it all. Left it at the store and its waiting for my party. They said bring a cake– anything you want! It was so so different from the owner at hidden vine who turned away my business.
We were regular customers, I won’t be back.
And If you’re looking to host an informal party, call uncorked. Ask for Martin. You’ll get amazing service!

Enchanted patio to sip wine and watch a large body of water. The wine selection is awesome and my personal favorite is the Gavi white wine, which is crisp and white and goes down smooth. Leasure Cali living at its best.

What a great little spot on Lake Mission Viejo! We stopped in for a cheese plate and a glass of wine– not crowded, great view and knowledgeable service. We will be back.

First thing I want to say is the view is great. If you are looking for a spot for a quiet afternoon and a glass of wine, this is an okay place.
The prices were on the higher end per glass and I really wished there were more options available.
The process for purchasing a glass is complicated: You have to pre-​load a card in order to get a glass from the self serve dispenser, which is the only option if you are wanting wine by the glass.
The service was good.

Vino lovers unite!
Came here to buy a gift for my bosses and loved it.
Clean and tiny and right on the water.
Love the wine dispenser idea of tasting.
Love the view of the lake.
I want to come back and do the wine class.