With both Sonoma and Napa Valley wineries a mere stone’s throw away, Marin County seems to get short shrift when it comes to buzzing about wine bars.
While sure, one may not necessarily pencil in time to head to a Marin County-based wine bar. That doesn’t mean Marin County’s “Twin Cities”—the cute hamlet of Larkspur and commuter haven of Corte Madera—don’t have some nice options for a delicate pinot or an aromatic and bubbly prosecco. Plus, these cities have some amazing foodie spots and outstanding shopping. And few things go better with those stops than a nice glass of vino.
If one finds themself out and about in Larkspur or Corte Madera, why not make time to check out these charming options for a glass of wine before heading back out on a hike, shopping excursion or into 101 traffic?
Zinz Wine Bar
Conveniently located in Corte Madera’s Old Town Square, Zinz Wine Bar is known as a friendly spot for community gathering as well as a cozy nook for out of towners. Owner Kyle Hendrix bought Zinz in 2018 after two years working there as a bartender, just for fun. He and his wife, Patsy, run the quaint spot and pride themselves on a wide-ranging array of wines and craft beers. They also feature live music (local country blues musician Danny Click is a regular) on Friday nights, as well as special events including specialty tastings and sporting events on their television screens.
Check them out at zinzwinebar.com.
Internos Wine Bar
Copper tiles and elegantly crafted taps as well as a beautiful, hand-crafted wood bar are a few accoutrements that make Internos Wine Bar a popular spot for locals and those who are just visiting Larkspur. Located at 1110 Magnolia Ave., Internos is open seven days a week and has a vibrant calendar of music, tastings and other fun events. In fact, some just missed the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party.
One can make sure to never make that mistake again by following them at internoswinebar.com.
Drew Dowsett Wines
The more serious wine enthusiast already knows about Corte Madera’s Drew Dowsett Wines. They also know that one will need to schedule out a tasting ahead of time. So perhaps this is a great first stop on a Twin Cities wine tour. DDW sources most of their grapes from the nearby Suisun Valley region. They are an under-the-radar go-to winery when it comes to their multilayered cabernet sauvignons and yummy “Moxie” red wine.
Schedule that tasting at drewdowsettwines.com.
Backstage Wine Bar
Napa Valley’s Backstage Winery is a family-owned affair started by winemaker Angelo Pera in 2010. They smartly decided to open a satellite wine bar in Larkspur that serves as a dedicated tasting room for their award winning cabernets (four of which scored high numbers in the 2021 and 2022 International Wine Report reviews) and pinots.
A solid combination community gathering place and more of a destination stop, the space is highlighted with outdoor fire pit tables, a small bites menu and a carefully curated list direct from their vineyard. Yelp reviews are nearly flawless, with several reviewers naming it a perfect spot to relax at after the farmers market.
Find out more at backstagewines.com.
Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant
Maybe one is heading elsewhere and just doesn’t have the time to sit and enjoy a glass of wine in our fair Twin Cities. No worries, as Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant in Larkspur has them covered with a killer wine selection tucked inside an adorable brick building in Larkspur Landing, near the ferry terminal.
The shop is a relative new kid on the block, having just opened in December, but the operation was founded by the eponymous Lynch in Albany, CA back in 1972. Lynch made his bonafides bringing in French and Italian wines no one else could get stateside, selling imports from French and Italian winegrowers, focusing on small producers whose wines express the authentic style of their native region. The shop has a deep roster of knowledgeable wine salesfolk, and they are open seven days a week.
More info at kermitlynch.com.
