Emily Towe and Jody Brix Towe made their first wine in their garage. Twelve years later, J. Brix Wines is a respected California-based wine brand and an integral part of the San Diego wine community. Come this fall, consumers will be able to sip their products onsite for the first time when the pair opens North County’s first tasting room, serving exclusively natural wines made with minimal intervention.
Slated to open around early October, J. Brix’s flagship tasting room will be located at 250 North City Drive, Suite 10, in San Marcos at the North City development. Newtopia Cyder currently occupies the building, but Jody says now that their lease is signed, the cidery will begin moving out at the end of August so J. Brix can enter what he calls a turnkey space. “It’s beautiful,” he adds.
Courtesy of J. Brix Wines
The couple always had their eyes open for the right opportunity, but they hadn’t found one until North City reached out to them with this space. “We have said for years and years of looking around and seeing what was available that it would have to be exactly the right thing,” Emily recalls. “There had to be no question that this was the perfect opportunity.”
The 890-square-foot corner suite checked all the boxes, featuring high ceilings, natural lighting, indoor and outdoor seating, a spacious wooden bar, and plenty of nearby businesses and community events, keeping foot traffic high. J. Brix won’t have a kitchen, but guests can bring their own food; stop by nearby Buona Forchetta, Milonga Empanadas, or Umami Japanese; or grab a quick munchie from behind the bar.
Courtesy of J. Brix Wines
Jody estimates that, depending on the season and availability, they’ll have six to 12 different wines on tap and in bottles, ranging from the traditional to the esoteric. “If you like wine, we’re going to have something for you,” Emily promises.
Emily says they hope to continue nurturing San Diego’s hyper-local wine community by providing a new place to gather, learn, and enjoy good company and great wine—ideally bringing vino people together. Jody feels that, while the local craft beer community has merged as a single unit, San Diego wine needs to catch up. “It’s time,” he says. “You can see it coming.”
Courtesy of Cali BBQ
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Cali BBQ Opening at 32nd Street Naval Station
Cali BBQ owner Shawn Walchef opened his barbecue joint in Spring Valley in 2008 and has experimented with expansion ever since. His ghost kitchens at Barrio Food Hub and Aztec Food Hub didn’t work out, but a suite at Snapdragon Stadium crushes it every event. Though his attempt to bid on a space in the new airport terminal wasn’t accepted, a new Cali BBQ space is coming this August at Naval Base San Diego off 32nd Street in Barrio Logan. It won’t be open to the general public, but Walchef couldn’t be more stoked to bring his brand of barbecue to the servicemembers and employees with on-base access. (Those without can hit up the original location in Spring Valley or check out Cali BBQ the next time they’re at Snapdragon Stadium.) Cali BBQ will be the first local restaurant on the base.
“Our goal is to be the best possible partner with the Navy, so it hopefully opens up other opportunities—because we would love to be on Camp Pendleton,” Walchef says. “We would love to be on North Island. There are a lot of amazing men and women that take care of this country and need to eat … We think we can be a credible, quality, local option for them.”
Courtesy of Tripadvisor
Beth’s Bites
Escondido burger destination Burger Bench is opening a second location at 230 Main Street in Vista this fall—probably around October, estimates co-owner Derek Loranger. Customers can expect the same menu and hours as the OG outpost at the forthcoming Vista location.
Happy second birthday to Pizza Port in Imperial Beach! Head there on Saturday, August 17, from noon to 5 p.m. for a family-friendly celebration with pizza, beer, barbecue, and (in true Pizza Port fashion) a tie-dye station.
Hello Betty has said goodbye and reintroduced itself as The Surf Club, thanks to new ownership taking the reins at the Oceanside spot. Things are running as before (i.e., live music and a rooftop bar), but expect a fresh facelift when renovations begin later this year.
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Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.
