The Wine Encounter

I’m surprised I haven’t reviewed this yet! I love this place for happy hour or any hour. They have a great (cheap) wine selection and really good pizza by the slice or by the whole pie. Service is always very friendly and it’s never too hard to find a seat.

Great wine bar in Hillcrest with a nice food menu. Went there for the first time yesterday only to realize they will be closing their doors for good on the 21^st. So sad a greedy landlord can force businesses out. Go by and check this place out while you can.

A hidden gem in Hillcrest. The staff makes you feel like family and the food is delicious. My wife and I love the jalapeño artichoke dip and pizza the best. Great wine and they have a wonderful happy hour. A must try in San Diego!

Cute, classy, cozy little wine bar. I went the second time for «Paint and Palate» which is a painting class (during which you get to drink wine and eat stuff. WIN).
I believe they have that once a month… check their website for the schedule.
Yummy wines, nice menu of bites. There is a snuggly little room in the back that looks perfect for a small birthday celebration (10ish people).
Good place for a date too! Gotta put this one in the Hillcrest wine bar rotation!

Wine Encounter
SD: Hillcrest
9pm Wednesday 12^th March 2013
Four Stars
After a delicious Indian meal next door, we enjoyed a bottle of FerrariCarano Fume Blanc 2011 from Sonoma priced at $ 27 (retail price + $ 2) which is extremely reasonable. We drank at the bar for a minute and then we discovered the lounge/​game room. We played Dirty Minds and Trivial Pursuit the 90s. It was a fun experience. The service was good and friendly.

I’ve walked by this place several times and have never known it. It sits between Five Guys and an Indian restaurant on University in Hillcrest in a strip of establishments. Their happy hour is a good one and on Thursday they were offering a wine tasting of five wines for only $ 8, what a deal. Additionally, ALL wine flights were 50% off for the happy hour.
They have a great selection of wines and appetizers and light bites. I had the white wine flight and appetizer of goat cheese with jalapeño jelly and let it serve as my dinner. It was a satisfying combination.
We had a larger party and our server was on top of things with our orders, splitting our checks, and making sure we knew of the specials.
The tiny parking lot can fill up quickly but on a week night you should be ok and if not, there is street parking around as well. I think it’s a sweet little spot. Nothing really stood out to wow, but the space is cute, the wine plentiful and experience a fun one.

I’m really, really surprised that this place has 4.5 stars.
My friend and I were looking for a different happy hour to try out, and we saw the menu for The Wine Encounter online (and saw the glowing reviews) and decided to give it a try! In fact, I was pretty excited to try it out!
However, my excitement may have been a little too premature.
Positives:
1. They serve brachetto. This is something I don’t often see at wine bars, and although it’s pretty sweet, I do quite enjoy it.
2. They have a lot of interesting wine flights. And all of them are half off during happy hour!
Unfortunately, that’s all I can really think of.
Negatives:
1. Service. We had to approach someone when we entered to make sure they were aware we were sitting down. Also, they didn’t seem to know much about the menu (for example, we tried to order the menage a trois of dips, and the server didn’t even know what the dip options were. And gave us attitude when we asked him to check and see what they were). And, they never asked how we were doing once the food came; they didn’t even give us a chance for follow up requests after dropping the food or bev.
2. Food. This was really, really subpar for me overall. There were a couple of highlights. We had the jalapeño-​artichoke dip (highlight), which came with tortilla chips and was pretty good. Our dips – olive tapenade (highlight), tzatziki, and hummus – also came with tortilla chips. If you’ve never eaten tzatziki with a tortilla chip before… don’t. Those dips would have been much better served with pita or a nice baguette (a follow up request we tried to make). We also had a pizza with goat cheese, mushrooms, and spinach that wasn’t too bad, but it wasn’t super great either. The pizza wasn’t really a negative, but it wasn’t a highlight. So really I guess it was just the overabundance of tortilla chips that was odd. Everything kind of missed the mark slightly.
Only 2 negatives, however for me those two negatives outweigh the positives. I mean, service and food are pretty basic concepts.
Maybe they have awesome tasting events, and maybe their wine flights are awesome, and maybe we ordered the wrong snacks, and maybe my expectations were too high. But from my overall experience tonight, I’m not sure I’d be very excited to return. Maybe just for wine!

I chose this place due to the 4.5 stars without reading a single review, and boy was it a bad call. We walked in and there were maybe three tables and a few people at the bar. We waited a few moments but neither employee even looked up at us, so I walked down the bar to inquire about a table. The guy said to sit wherever and bought us menus. Five minutes went by and he came back to take our drink order. We inquired about what dips were included in the trio of dips; he went to check. Then another employee came over and started waiting on us all over again. We were like the other guy took our drink order and was checking on a menu item. The second server explained our choice of dips and we picked olive tapenade, red pepper hummus and tzatziki. We also got jalapeño/​artichoke dip and a pizza with goat cheese and mushrooms.
The dips came first. The tapenade was tasty but the other two tasted like low-​quality inexpensive dips from a grocery store. It was served with cheap tortilla chips. The chips tasted like the $ 2 bag brand. Who eats hummus and tzatziki with tortilla chips anyways? I tried to ask for bread or pita but the server literally walked away as I was talking. He would drop the food and run. No one ever asked how we were doing or how are food tasted. The artichoke dip was nothing more than heated cream cheese with canned artichoke hearts mixed in. I did not taste a single hint of jalapeño heat. The pizza was one note. Decent crust but it had no distinct flavor other than goat cheese. It really needed a little tomato sauce, chopped tomato or red pepper to give it some complexity.
The atmosphere looked like the stole the tables and chairs from the set of the defunct ‘80s TV show Cheers. The chairs, tables and cabinets are all 1980s light wood. Overall my friend and I spent $ 20 each and left half of the gross food on the table. I will say my $ 6 glass of happy hour cabernet was good, but not good enough to save cheap bland food and crappy service.

Friendly staff. Great regulars.
There is no pretense or snobbery at this little gem.
It is a nice wine bar with a knowledgeable staff and great noshes. The cheese and charcuterie boards are excellent, as are the pizzas.
The staff always engages, never ignores you, and they are quick with recommendations and samples.
The calendar of winery tastings is great and so is the live music on Fridays.
Wine locker members get great perks and invited to fun VIP events.
Comfortable lounge in the back for small groups, too.

I came here based on the 5-​star rating from many fellow Unilocalers. I expected to be wowed… but, wasn’t. I could tell my friends felt the same. It’s not at all that we had a bad experience… it’s just that it’s in a strip mall, the food was just okay and our server seemed slightly annoyed with us. My guess is that it’s a place where people who live in the hood come and hang out or attend tasting events… a place where everybody knows their name. It’s definitely a place I would feel comfortable coming alone as it’s far from a pick up joint.
WHEN — Tue thru Sat from 5 – 7 p.m.
FOOD — 10-​item Happy Hour food menu with an Italian slant, including a few flatbread/​pizza options. Prices range from $ 4.50-$ 15.00. We all thought the food was just okay. Gluten free options
DRINKS — ½ off wine flights, discounted ($ 5-​$ 9) wine by the glass, discounted bottles of wine, $ 3 imported beer
AMBIANCE — Located in a strip mall; a tad on the dark side. Nice interior décor with seating at tables or up at the bar. Quiet to average. Definitely a more sophisticated crowd who is there for the wine.
SERVICE — Okay. As I mentioned, our server seemed irritated with us. I have a feeling it’s usually great though, which is why it’s got a 5-​star. Tasting and art events.
With all the cool places in town, I would probably opt for somewhere with a bit more wow. But, if you’re a serious wine drinker, I think you need to check this place out for yourself.

I’d say as far as selection and wine goes, this place is a great find in San Diego!
«The moment you walk in the door you are welcomed as a friend by a knowledgeable staff that treats you like part of the family.» That’s what the website says and it’s very true. They have a great selection, the staff is knowledgeable, helpful, fun and professional. If you need appetizers they have a nice selection and you won’t leave hungry and if you go by the staff’s recommendation for wine (based on your taste and the varietals you like) you will be a happy customer.

I went to the Wine Encounter about two weeks ago to have some wine, and learn to paint at the same time. A woman was giving painting lessons, Paint&Pallet, at the bar. It sounded a little strange but I thought hey, this could be something different for a Wednesday night.
I had the BEST time. A glass of wine in one hand and a paint brush in the other painting Picasso’s Blue Nude. It was a lot of fun, and not as difficult as one might think. The staff at the Wine Encounter were friendly, and very accommodating of this special event, even helping us figure out where to put our meat and cheese board and our pizza (we were hungry!) so we wouldn’t get paint on it! The bar is cute, and not to big which created an intimate atmosphere for painting and drinking good wine.
Just make sure to get there early, parking can be an issue!

This place is so much fun! I can’t believe it’s right next to a Five Guys, Don’t let the exterior fool you.
I came here on a spur of the moment thing with my boyfriend and ended up staying for hours. They have specials almost everyday. It’s a great place for happy hour, or a date night.
They have a small room in the back that is filled with different board games, we started a game with some other couples while enjoying our glasses/​bottles of wine.

Okay… don’t let the strip mall throw you off…
This was a fun wine experience and guess what, THE WINE WAS ACTUALLY GOOD… I like how the servers were on top of everything… clearing plates… and glasses… a lot of wine glasses accumulate of course when you are wine tasting…
The menu was descriptive and very clear for those who are simple novice wine folk such as myself… no shame in my game here people… The flights were spelled out by employee picks, colors, etc… I really like how they serve the flights on a place mat with the names of the wine in each location of the glass… I know wine for dummies over here… whatever I am learning…
So I got a Ferrari, glass of wine of course… and yup the fig brie, and a cheese platter… I big time recommend this place… good wine, good food, good portions, good service… the only thing I did not like was the strip Mall location and decorations… but whatever I was there for the wine and food not the HGTV aspect…
Three snaps up in a Z formation for Wine Encounter… Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

I freaking love this place and I can’t believe I’m just now writing a review after having gone here for the first time since 2008 and being a regular. I can honestly say that every person I brought here has fallen in love. In fact, I met up with a friend last night who I hadn’t seen since 2009, who remembered the positive experiences we had each time we would come here. He said he hasn’t been since, but that’s a solid indication that the place has an impact on people.
The service is impeccable and the flights are amazing. I only come here for the flights. The food is pretty darn good too! The only downfall, I suppose, would be the elevator type jazz music they play from time to time, but on occasion they’ll have a live guest who’s pretty good.
What I love, is that after all these years, this place is still never packed. You feel like you’re at home with a bunch of friends and you never come across a drunkard. It’s all together awesome. I want to tell everyone to check it out, but at the same time I want to keep it as my special place. I know the other reviewers feel the same.

I have to write an update for this awesome place. I had a great experience the first time I came here, and when I went back last night for a drink with a friend, it was equally as great if not better.
There was a live jazz guitarist and a great wine flight for only $ 8.00. We ordered the fig crust brie with bread and crackers, which was oh my gosh good with the wine.
The service was stellar, they are on it there! Clearing your glasses when you’re done, giving you more bread, filling up your water and they have us a free half glass of the new Merlot they’re featuring next week.
I love this spot, it may be my new favorite!

I’m kind of reluctant to write this review because it’s such a hidden gem!
I went with my sister late on a Friday night, and we had the time of our lives! Previous review are right, looking from the outside you wouldn’t think much of this place, but inside there’s so much more! .and there’s ample parking too. which is awesome!
This small, quaint place had a live band: guitar and bass + an open mic for those who are brave/​can sing which totally adds to the atmosphere! We got 4 glasses of wine plus pizza for $ 50!
Pizzas come in 8,10, or 12 inch which is a great portion size for sharing. They accidentally gave us a small, and noted it right away. then brought out our correct order. We would’ve settled for what they gave us, but our server/​waiter insisted. We felt bad, but they pretty much let us have both. which is good because we were so drunk we needed food :-P They also had cheese platters and other items, but I can’t seem to recall them.
We were so inebriated we couldn’t drive home. When my husband came with a friend to pick us up, he said he saw two people standing outside the door, and that they parted ways once they saw us get into the other car. I had no idea they were watching us to make sure we were OK! This speaks volumes alone — they really take care of their customers!
Everyone here seemed to be regulars, and I could easily become one as well. The staff is so friendly, the place is cozy, and the wine is AWESOME! They’re definitely two thumbs up in my book!

I was way too happy to re-​discover Wine Encounter after some time away from the area. And, better yet, to find the same familiar staff there, serving up excellent wine with familiar abundance of friendliness and knowledge. Pâté is still excellent too!
Like I said in my Quick Tip: 105 db quieter and 105x tastier than Wine Steals. Good excuse to head on down that way.

This is a fun place, not expensive or pretentious. I came on a Thursday with three others, and we were seated in the back, which had a nice little lounge area. The servers were attentive, but not very talkative. The food was good, but nothing special. The Thursday night 5 wines for 8 bucks, was a great deal, great way to taste many wines at low cost.
They guitarist added the intimate atmosphere. Great job on taking you away from the hustle and bustle of Hillcrest. It was a fun evening. Maybe next time I will have more of an opportunity to talk to the servers.

Very nice, cozy establishment. People there know their wines and are hospitable and friendly. I came in for happy hour, daily from 5 – 7, which has savings on both wine and snacks. Just look at the happy hour menu for all the details. I went with a moscato, d’asti 2008 from Italy, of course; nice sweet and bubbly.
Plenty of free lot parking too. I guess I came at the right time because the whole parking lot was essentially empty. Décor is cool. Nice lounge in the back with leather seating. Decent wine selection. The bathroom was clean and smelled good. Tuesday’s is wine tasting day so he gave me a friendly reminder that I either had to leave in an hour or hang out in the back at the lounge… no biggie, but then again, how would you feel being segregated from the general population and put in the back? :(
I like the bar area, nice and clean, just 1 tv. And the staff makes sure that you are well taken care of. Definitely a cool hang out spot. And maybe come back on a non-​wine tasting day.