The Marina District: A treasure trove of wine bars

With Napa Valley just a short drive over the Golden Gate Bridge there is no shortage of places to enjoy your favorite varietals in San Francisco. The Marina District alone offers many great options to enjoy a glass of vino. Whether you are looking for docile or lively, there is sure to be a place that suits your tastes. Here are five bars to enjoy a glass (or bottle) of your favorite wines.

Bin 38

View slideshow: Wine Bars in the Marina

Bin 38 is an upscale wine bar and restaurant that attracts the city’s elite. It boasts a lists of 55 wines by the glass from all over the world including – Argentina, Australia, California, Chile, France, Italy, New Zealand, Oregon, South Africa, Spain and Washington. At the end of 2011, Bin 38 was named to OpenTable’s Diners' Choice Awards for the top 50 restaurants with the most notable wine lists.

It offers flights as well as ½ glasses, which allows guests to experiment and sample a variety of wines. And if wine is not your thing, then BIN 38 also offers a selection of 30 craft beers from local breweries as well as abroad. Its elegant interior with private alcoves and ample outdoor seating (a rare gem in San Francisco) make it an ideal place to take someone you are looking to impress.

Address: 3232 Scott St., San Francisco, Calif.
Contact: 415.567.3838, info@bin38.com
Hours: Mon. – Thur., 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.; Fri., 4 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.; Sat. 2 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.; Sun. 10-12 a.m.

California Wine Merchant

If Bin 38 is swanky than California Wine Merchant is the complete opposite. With its loud music and bustling crowd, this lively bar feels more like a frat party than a fine wine tasting room. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t take its wine seriously.

California Wine Merchant offers on average 35-50 wines by the glass with prices ranging from $7- $20. The wine bar has stayed loyal to California and focuses its offerings on the local area. It keeps the wine tasting experience fresh and new for patrons by changing its wine list daily – rotating an average of 2-5 wines at a time.

It is a small bar that offers an intimate environment (albeit crowded at times), where you will always see a few familiar faces. It is a locals’ place that takes the stuffiness out of wine tasting.

Address: 2113 Chestnut St., San Francisco, Calif.
Contact: 415.567.0646, greg@californiawinemerchant.com
Hours: Mon.-Wed., 10 a.m.- 12 a.m.; Thurs.-Sat., 10 a.m. - 1:30 a.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. ***Closing hours may vary depending on bar crowd.***

Nectar Wine Lounge

Nectar’s chic and minimalist environment makes it an ideal place to go for the upper echelon that inhabits the Marina. Its ample seating and plush chairs make it a great place to spend a few hours. Its low-key atmosphere also means that you don’t have to compete to hear your drinking comrade(s).

The lounge offers 50 wines by the glass, which changes on a weekly basis, as well as 800+ selection of wines by the bottle. It has a well-rounded menu of wines including domestics from California and Oregon as well as imports from Australia France, Germany, Italy, South Africa and Spain. It is the perfect place to go if you are looking to experiment with wines from around the world.

Address: 3330 Steiner St
Contact: 415.345.1377, info@nectarwinelounge.com
Hours: Mon. – Wed., 5-10:30 p.m.; Thur.-Sat., 5 p.m.-12 a.m.; Sun., 5-10 p.m.

Ottimista Enoteca-Café

If you are all about the Italian wines, then look no further than Ottmista Enoteca-Café. Its focus is all about shedding some light on high-quality Italian wines from the Northern region. It offers 30-35 wines by the glass and over 250 wines by the bottle. It rotates its offerings every 2-3 weeks to take into account seasonal foods and temperature dictated wine preferences.

Part of Ottimista’s mission is to remove the intimidation that can surround wine tasting, and it does just that. Its friendly staff and impeccable service make it an enjoyable place to try new wines that challenge the palate. Ottmista’s rustic décor evoke a real Italian vibe, and creates a social atmosphere with its communal seating. On a nice day, the patio is the perfect place to sit and people watch while enjoying a nice glass of vino.

Address: 1838 Union Street, San Francisco, California 94123
Contact: (415) 674.8400, info@OttimistaSF.com
Hours: Tues.-Thurs., 2 – 11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 12 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sun., 12-10 p.m.

Pe Yale

Pe Yale comes from the owners of Wine Jar in Pacific Heights and is the latest addition to the Marina district. Its laid-back ambiance is a good break from the boisterous atmosphere that inhabits most of the neighborhood. It feels like a cozy little nook with its low lighting and warm colored walls that are decoupaged with newspapers.

Pe Yale offers 30+ wines by the glass, and has chosen to focus on smaller-production vineyards (source: Tablehopper). The wine list has a nice balance of domestics and imports (predominantly French and Italian) – with many reasonably priced options. For those who might prefer a brewski to a glass of wine there is a list of 20 beers to choose from.

This wine bar is like a little oasis in the Marina – a little respite from the bustle outside.