I Launched a Social Wine Club in Los Angeles
You know that scene in almost every rom-com where friends gather at a cozy coffee shop, a bustling bar, or someone's candlelit living room just to catch up over a glass (or three) of wine?
That energy is what inspired me to create South Bay Wine Club.
The idea came to me after realizing how many of my friends are in book clubs...and don’t actually read the book. They show up for the wine and the people. It hit me — why not skip the homework altogether and go straight to the fun part? Thus, South Bay Wine Club was born: a monthly pop-up social club where wine is the star and the social glue, hosted all around the South Bay of Los Angeles.
Our First Event: A Sparkling Start 🍾
For our inaugural gathering, we partnered with Blue Butterfly Coffee in El Segundo — a true "third place" for the community, where the vibe is warm, welcoming, and very much "come as you are."
We sold out our very first event (!!) with 50 wine lovers gathering to sip, laugh, and connect over an incredible lineup from J Vineyards & Winery:
J Vineyards Sparkling Cuvée (bright, bubbly perfection)
J Vineyards Brut Rosé (because pink bubbles just hit different)
J Vineyards Chardonnay (classic but never boring)
J Vineyards Pinot Noir (light, silky, and oh-so-sippable)
The night was simple: good wine, good music, and even better conversation. An informal introduction of gratitude and recognitions, no intimidating tasting notes — just real people connecting over really good glasses of wine.
What I Learned: Wine is the Icebreaker, Not the Homework 🍷
If there’s one takeaway from launching South Bay Wine Club, it’s this: people love wine, but they don’t love when it feels stuffy or exclusive.
Most traditional wine clubs focus heavily on education, but what about fun? What about meeting your neighbors, sharing a laugh, and maybe learning a little something along the way — without the pressure?
At South Bay Wine Club, wine is the social tool, not the homework. And it also gives amazing wine brands the opportunity to connect authentically with real people, sharing their stories in a way that feels human and natural for every day life.
Looking Ahead: Building a “Third Place” 🍇
The mission is simple:
Make South Bay Wine Club a true “third place” — a spot that’s not home, not work, but a little monthly escape where you can:
Meet your neighbors (and maybe even their friends)
Discover new wines without any pretense
Make lifelong memories (and maybe lifelong friends)
Laugh a lot, sip a lot, and maybe even dance a little
I can’t wait to keep building this community, one pour at a time. 🍷✨
Stay tuned for details about our next event — and if you’re in the South Bay, I hope you’ll come raise a glass with us.
