California Wine Month Hits Different This Year at Juniper & Ivy

With all the tariff craziness shaking up wine imports right now, California Wine Month feels pretty perfectly timed. Juniper & Ivy is leaning into September with a new wine list that’s basically a love letter to our state’s incredible winemakers, and honestly, we’re here for supporting local while sipping something amazing.

Juniper & Ivy's California Wine Month celebration

When Awards Actually Mean Something

Sommelier Daniel Cools has been killing it lately—like, seriously killing it. This year alone, Juniper & Ivy snagged Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for their 490-selection wine list, San Diego Magazine named them best wine list for both readers and critics, and Cools got tagged as Best Sommelier.

That’s the kind of recognition that doesn’t happen by accident.

The Michelin-recognized Little Italy spot has always been known for creative West Coast cookery, but their wine program is really what sets them apart. When a restaurant commits to 490 selections, you know they’re serious about giving you options that actually matter.

The List That’s Worth the Trip

This isn’t just some random California wines thrown together. These are bottles from wineries Juniper & Ivy has been working with and believes in, focusing on flavor, quality, and sustainability.

The RAEN Rosé 2023 ‘Monarch Project’ is probably the coolest example—it’s part of their initiative to promote clean farming and help restore monarch butterfly populations in Napa and Sonoma. Drinking wine that tastes good and does good? Yeah, we can get behind that.

They’ve got Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc 2022 from North Coast with green apple, Meyer lemon, and crushed stone notes that sound crisp and perfect for our weather. The Aperature 2023 from Sonoma brings white peach, key lime, and jasmine blossom with this silken texture that sounds like summer in a glass.

For something different, there’s Tatomer Grüner Veltliner 2022 from Santa Rita Hills—lime zest, green apple, and slate from what they call the “windswept John Sebastiano Vineyard,” which honestly sounds like the kind of place that makes interesting wine.

Reds That Make Sense

The red selection is pretty thoughtful too. Tinto Amorio ‘Monje’ Red Blend 2023 from Paso Robles has orange peel, rose petal, and dried apricot notes with silky tannins. That combination sounds way more interesting than your typical red blend.

Samsara Pinot Noir 2023 from Santa Barbara brings wild strawberry, rose petal, and forest herbs with fine tannins and a mineral finish. And if you want something with more weight, the Chappellet Cabernet Blend 2023 from Napa delivers dark cherry, blackberry spice, and toasted oak, finishing with dark chocolate.

Rosé Season Extends Forever Here

The rosé game is strong with options like Ghost Note from San Benito County—vibrant and savory with wild strawberry, blood orange, and pink grapefruit. Story of Soil Rosé 2023 from Los Olivos brings Rainier cherry, watermelon rind, and rose petal with bright acidity that sounds perfect for our endless summer.

Supporting What Matters

With imported wines getting hit hard by tariffs, focusing on California makes sense beyond just supporting local. These wines come from places we can actually visit, from winemakers dealing with the same climate and challenges we understand.