Postino WineCafé, the vibrant, community-driven, all-day wine bar and café, debuts its first Golden State location today. The beloved restaurant is now open in Irvine’s newest mixed-use dining and retail destination, Park Place. Postino WineCafé offers seasonal, locally inspired food; an expertly curated beverage program with thoughtful selections designed both for those new to exploring wine and the already well-versed; a commitment to delivering its signature warm and friendly hospitality; and a retro take on décor with designs by regional artists.
“We’re thrilled to bring our wine-and-food-enthused, vibrant community to California with the opening of Postino’s first West Coast outpost,” says Lauren Bailey, Postino WineCafé Co-Founder. “Postino prides itself on providing a space for all people to connect over wine, with selections designed for a range of gatherings, from special to casual everyday dining, plus an all-day menu that satisfies any craving. Today, we introduce to Irvine a wine bar that doesn’t have to be stuffy—because at Postino, we’re always playful, curious, and open-minded.”
Postino WineCafé is beloved for its signature wine program, which features boutique and novel finds that appeal to the most well-versed aficionado, with equal attention paid to offering approachable, gulpable favorites for wine lovers of all types. The brand’s award-winning, proprietary wine program is curated by advanced sommelier and beverage director Brent Karlicek. Karlicek, who also is sitting for his Master Sommelier designation, travels the world creating relationships with boutique wineries and offering his curated collection of wines, wine-centric cocktails and craft beers—many that can only be found at Postino.
Locality is key to Postino’s culinary program, with wines inspired by the local region and dishes integrating fresh, seasonal produce from area purveyors. A longtime bestseller is Postino’s bruschetta board, which is offered with a variety of toppings including mozzarella, tomato, basil; burrata, bacon, arugula; salmon pesto; and more. From family-style platters to shareable snacks, Postino’s variety of servings suit gatherings large or small across the 5,200-square-foot Irvine space, which also includes a spacious, sun umbrella-lined patio.
At its heart, Postino is about community and creating a space in which people can connect for any occasion, from premium happy hours, weekly promotions, special events, and much more. Californians can look forward to a daily “$6 ‘til 5pm” wine and beer list and “$25 Bottle & Board” on Monday and Tuesday evenings (a bottle of wine and a board of bruschetta are $25 after 8 p.m.). Spirits are high at Postino’s weekend brunch, which offers a curated selection of farm-fresh comfort foods like Umbria Egg Toast featuring scrambled egg with crèma and white truffle, crispy oyster mushroom, and Parmigiano Reggiano atop a toasted ciabatta.
Guests can expect a vintage, throwback feel no matter which Postino WineCafé they visit, while also discovering new local artists and one-of-a-kind pieces selected by local vintage pickers. The eye-catching décor at every location taps a playful, retro style, but with a twist that embraces its unique local environment, and the first California location is no exception. Celebrated muralist Jacquie Comrie created an electrifying mural on the outdoor patio, which is a welcome place to dine with four-legged friends. Postino’s Director of Art and Restoration, Aaron Kimberlin, installed a one-of-a-kind wall of vintage boomboxes inside the restaurant.
Postino WineCafé is now open at 2981 Michelson Dr., Ste E, Irvine, CA 92612 on Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. – 12 a.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. – 12 a.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. in the Park Place mixed-use office and retail campus.
