Wine Bar
Unclaimed profileWetStone Wine Bar- Bankers Hill
San Diego, CA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
WetStone Wine Bar in Bankers Hill runs a wine-first program with a diverse list, house flights served in test tubes, and sangrias. Spanish-influenced cocktails like Kalimotxo and Atxa Vermut Rojo add character, while a curated beer selection and non-alcoholic options round out the menu. Happy hour specials are a draw.
- What should I order?
- Start with the House Flight for a blind tasting of three wines. Try the Atxa Vermut Rojo for a Spanish-style vermouth cocktail, or a sangria—Tropical White or Exotic Red. Pair with a Warsteiner Pilsner if you prefer beer.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Wine enthusiasts seeking variety and unique pours will find much to like. Those who enjoy Spanish-style cocktails or a casual happy hour will also feel at home. The eclectic, cozy atmosphere suits both date nights and gatherings with friends.
- When should I go?
- Happy hour is a highlight, with specials available even on Saturdays, making it a good time for value-conscious visits. Evenings are fitting for a relaxed wine-focused outing.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails around $12, wines by the glass from $10, house flight $26, sangria $11 per glass or $35 per carafe, beers around $7, and non-alcoholic drinks from $3.50 to $6.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- A turn-of-the-century building houses a wine bar open since 2007, praised as a hidden gem. The House Flight served in test tubes is a playful touch, and the combination of Spanish cocktails and diverse wine list sets it apart.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
A small but distinctive cocktail list with Spanish influence. Kalimotxo is a simple red wine and cola mix, while Atxa Vermut Rojo is a sweet red vermouth with soda and olive. Happy hour specials on the vermouth add value.
Menu strengths
- — Spanish influence offers unique options not commonly found.
Standout selections
- — Atxa Vermut Rojo: sweet red vermouth with soda water, orange slice, and Manzanilla olive, $12.
- — Kalimotxo: red wine and cola with orange segment, a classic Spanish combination.
Pricing: Atxa Vermut Rojo $12.00; Kalimotxo price not listed
Wine
Extensive wine list covering whites, reds, sparkling, dessert, and flights. Includes organic and biodynamic selections. House Flight offers a fun blind tasting. Sangrias are popular.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse selection including organic, biodynamic, and natural wines.
- — House Flight offers a unique blind tasting experience.
Standout selections
- — House Flight: three 2-oz pours served in test tubes, $26.
- — Tropical White Sangria: fresh mango, lychee, peach, and melon, $11 glass/$35 carafe.
- — Attila Homonna Furmint-Harslevalu, Tokaj, Hungary 2018: dry white from volcanic soils, organic, $18 glass/$67 bottle.
- — Moric Blaufrankisch, Austria 2023: elegant old-vine red, $10 glass.
Pricing: House Flight $26; Tropical White Sangria $11 glass/$35 carafe; Attila Homonna Furmint-Harslevalu $18 glass/$67 bottle; Moric Blaufrankisch $10 glass
Beer
A curated list of craft and international beers, including a German pilsner, Bavarian hefeweizen, and West Coast IPA. Pricing is limited to one example, but happy hour discounts apply to all beers.
Menu strengths
- — Curated selection of craft and international beers.; Happy hour includes $2 off all beers.
Standout selections
- — Warsteiner Pilsner: classic German pilsner, $7.
- — Enegren Bavarian Hefeweissen: unfiltered with banana and clove.
- — Figueroa Mountain Hoppy Poppy IPA: West Coast IPA with citrus, pine, and floral aromas.
Pricing: Warsteiner Pilsner $7; happy hour $2 off all beers
Nonalcoholic
Non-alcoholic options include rotating Agua Fresca, Bundaberg Ginger Beer, OG Coca Cola, and San Pellegrino. Simple but adequate, with a house-made touch in the agua fresca.
Standout selections
- — Agua Fresca: rotating flavor selection, $6.
- — Bundaberg Ginger Beer: soda from Germany, $4.25.
Pricing: Agua Fresca $6; Bundaberg Ginger Beer $4.25; OG Coca Cola $3.50
How it sits with the food
The wine list includes organic and biodynamic options that would pair with a range of dishes. The Spanish-influenced cocktails and sangrias suggest compatibility with tapas-style food, though specific food pairings are not detailed.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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