Beer House, Wine Afterthought
Plaza Bonita · Chula Vista · American, Brewpub · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 26, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at BJ's Plaza Bonita is exactly what you'd expect to find tucked behind a 12-page menu at a chain brewpub with 40 TVs. It's an afterthought, and it doesn't try to hide it. If you came here for wine, you made a wrong turn somewhere.
The list runs roughly 15 to 25 bottles deep, and almost every name on it is something you've seen at a grocery store checkout display. Meiomi, Kim Crawford, Apothic — these are reliable national brands that sell themselves, which is precisely why a restaurant doesn't need to think about them. There's no regional identity, no producer worth seeking out, and no sign that anyone curating this list has ever lost sleep over it. California gets the most shelf space, but it's California by way of Total Wine, not by way of anyone with a point of view.
Six to ten pours by the glass, priced between $7 and $13, which is fair for Chula Vista and honest for what you're getting. Don't expect the selection to rotate — what's up there today was probably up there six months ago. It's a get-through-dinner list, not an explore-something-new one.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc — $9
It's a grocery store wine, yes, but it's a reliable grocery store wine at a price that doesn't embarrass anyone. Cold, crisp, and inoffensive — about the best outcome you can hope for here.
Meiomi Pinot Noir
Not exactly a hidden gem in any other context, but at a table full of people ordering lagers, quietly ordering a glass of Meiomi Pinot is a minor act of rebellion. It's soft, slightly sweet, and holds up fine next to a deep dish pizza.
Apothic Red
A sweet, blended red that's built for people who don't really like wine. If you're reading a wine review, you are not the target audience for Apothic Red. Skip it and grab a craft beer instead — that's what this place actually does well.
Meiomi Pinot Noir + Deep Dish Pizza
Meiomi's jammy, low-tannin profile doesn't fight with tomato sauce the way a bigger red would, and the slight sweetness actually plays well against the richness of a stuffed deep dish. It's not a fine dining moment, but it works.
❌ The Bottom Line
BJ's is a perfectly good place to watch a game, eat a Pizookie, and drink a craft beer. The wine list exists, technically, but that's about the nicest thing we can say about it — order a Brewhouse Blonde and call it a night.
La Jolla / Torrey Pines · Chula Vista · Regional California Cuisine / American Fine Dining
A.R. Valentien is doing something rare for a hotel restaurant: it's built a wine program that would stand on its own even without the Pacific Ocean views. Send your people here — just book ahead and don't skip the wine list.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
La Jolla · Chula Vista · Italian
Marisi is a reliable Italian wine list with genuine ambition hiding behind a steep markup structure — the producers are right, the regions are right, but you'll pay for the privilege. Go for the Produttori Barbaresco and the Pre-Phylloxera Barbera, and you'll leave satisfied.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
La Jolla · Chula Vista · Contemporary American
Nine-Ten is a genuinely good restaurant with a competent wine program — the sommelier is present, the list is legitimate, and the setting earns the price of admission. But the markups are aggressive enough that you'll want to be selective, because this list can eat your wallet if you reach for the obvious names.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Gaslamp Quarter · Chula Vista · Modern Steakhouse / Contemporary American
STK San Diego is a perfectly functional steakhouse wine list — it does exactly what it promises and absolutely nothing more. Come for the atmosphere and the beef, lean into happy hour if wine value matters to you, and don't show up expecting to be surprised.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Coronado · Chula Vista · Modern steakhouse / chophouse
Stake is the real deal — a 1,700-bottle list with genuine sommelier guidance and a kitchen that integrates wine into the experience rather than just selling it alongside. The pricing is steep, because this is Coronado and this is a serious steakhouse, but if you're already ordering a $75 Wagyu, the cellar absolutely earns its place at the table.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Downtown San Diego (East Village) · Chula Vista · Modern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern–inspired Californian
Callie is one of the most intentional wine programs in San Diego — curated, regionally coherent, and staffed by people who actually know what's in the cellar. The markups will cost you, but if you're going to spend, this is a list worth spending on.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.