Just ate at Solterra for the first time in awhile. They've made some nice upgrades to the menu. Crab cakes are very nice. The ragu pasta was also excellent. The wines remain quite good. I see some negative comments about the service, but ours was excellent. Our server, Phil, knows the wine and made informed suggestions based our likes. All in all a very well spent evening. read more

We live two blocks from here, figured we'd try it again, didn't care for the menu. Wine is good, food got better (flatbreads and salads) paella still meh, they still need more tapas which is still limited. Tonight we missed happy hour and were told "we're short on staff" and would be a 30" wait fora table (it's 5:30)....so we sat at the bar and noticed all the empty tables inside..hmmm. Best gal bartender at the bar she gets 10 stars - friendly and fun. read more

Solterra Winery & Kitchen - Sea bass with fennel and baby squash - Wine Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

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I liked the atmosphere here, it's an open concept and they had live music. Service was super kind and it did take a little bit but it's fresh food and we came close to closing. The food was tasty but the chicken thigh appetizer was not super big I would not recommend that as a full meal. The flatbread was definitely 10/10, I didn't love the crème brûlée but the presentation was really nice. Overall a solid experience! read more

Solterra Winery & Kitchen - artichoke and prosciutto flatbread Chicken thigh - Wine Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

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As a local, Solterra is one of our favorite spots! Our most recent dinner experience was exceptional. We went for our anniversary dinner on a Wednesday night, and we had the best server! His name was Jared- you're awesome Jared! Thanks for making our anniversary special. We ordered the meat and cheese board which was fantastic, as well as the steak frites and chicken dish. The steak frites could have used a bit more sauce, but otherwise everything was perfect! The icing on the cake was the complementary brownie dessert with four candles (for our four year anniversary). I highly recommend Solterra for a date night. Amazing wine, tapas, ambiance, and service. See you soon! read more

One of our favorite hangouts. The staff is welcoming and friendly. Delicious food and wine. A great spot to enjoy live music along with a mixed plate (meat and cheese) and a glass of wine or two. read more

The ambiance and service were fine The wine ( which we were there fir ) was awful! We found out from the bartender that they do serve bottles from 1 or 2 days ago and pour - 3/4 of the flight had a petroleum smell and tasted horrid. When I complained and asked the bartender to smell it , he said " it's subjective and we can't open new bottles daily"!!! Never again read more

Solterra has been my go to place for years. As a wine member it's been such a great community to stop in at any time. The service is top notch, their food selection, the best paella, and the long term team members is what makes this place magical. In particular, Andrea, is the heart of Solterra. Andrea, makes everything better and makes you feel welcomed, appreciated, and is just lovely! Stop into Solterra if you haven't been ask for Andrea and she will educate and guide you on all the wine and food. read more

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I don't know what's happened to Solterra but whatever neighborhood magic it once had has disappeared. Possibly by the same rodents/rats I saw that now seem to run the place more efficiently than the management. I've been coming here for years, not for the food (which has always hovered somewhere between forgettable and regrettable) and certainly not for the wine list (a tragic collection of bottles that taste like they were stored in someone's trunk). No, I came for the people and the community: the few shining stars on staff who somehow made this place feel worth the trip. But they've disappeared overnight. I assume the rumors are true that this a restaurant that collapsed under the weight of its own mismanagement. The atmosphere used to feel warm and familiar; now it feels like a cautionary tale. And the rats. They scurry across the floor like they're clocking in for a shift. At this point, they're the most consistent part of the dining experience. If you're thinking of visiting, try Valentina or some place with more to offer. UPDATE to Owner response 1/22: To clarify, my review reflects recent experiences, not a judgment of your entire 13 year history. Long time patronage does not invalidate recent, critical experiences, it provides context. Hospitality, by its nature, is relational. Dining out is not a purely transactional experience, it is influenced by atmosphere, service, and how guests are made to feel. Framing a customer's firsthand account as "dramatic," emotionally driven, or motivated by personal relationships, rather than addressing the substance of the concerns raised, is dismissive and sidesteps accountability. My review was written in good faith, based on what I personally observed and experienced, which is precisely what platforms like Yelp are intended for. I trust readers to distinguish between accountability and deflection. read more

Solterra Winery & Kitchen - Photo of rat at Solterra, as the owner replied questioning my credibility. I couldn't respond but a picture is worth a thousand words - Wine Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

We waited for about 20mins before anyone acknowledge we were sitting waiting g to be served. Wife and i walking out. Maybe because we were a minority yet we serve in the military. Felt like this place was being a racist. Marines don't go here especially if you're a minority and nonwhite. read more

Solterra has always been a go-to for me. I've been coming here for years and over time, I've gained a lifelong friendship with Cindy. She's incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and has a way of making you feel completely at home (down to remembering my favorite wine every time). Andrea is also the best host and always makes us feel appreciated and valued! I recently got engaged and knew right away that I wanted to celebrate with my best girlfriends at Solterra. Cindy put together the most perfect get-together, and it reminded me just how much this place has become more than just a spot to grab a glass of wine, it's truly filled with a sense of family. Thank you, Solterra, for making such a special time in my life even more meaningful. I can't wait to plan many more events here with Cindy! read more

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Winery located near the beach. We came here on Saturday afternoon and sampled some wines. The manager was very nice and knowledgeable. My favorite wines were the Sauvignon Blanc and the Malbec. The manager even made my spouse a Brandy old fashioned. There was seating at the bar, and also plenty of table seating. The venue does host private parties, and dinners. There is also a full food menu. read more

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Solterra is a very relaxing place to grab a glass of wine and some small bites. We sat on the patio and had a very kind server, Ian, who took good care of us. The brussel sprouts and patatas bravas were good, but the potatoes were lacking salt for sure. We also ordered the sun dried tomato flat bread and the calamari. The wine was just okay. Not terrible, but not the best either. Not too crowded on a Wednesday evening, but parking was a bit tricky in this area. Overall, this place is just okay. I would return for a happy hour because the prices do not match the quality. read more

What a warm and inviting place! Live music with a friendly crowd. Good people watching outside. The service was great - they have several options for gluten and dairy allergic diners. We enjoyed the glasses of Chardonnay and the atmosphere very much. The seafood paella was nice, a touch bland but still satisfying. We ordered shishito peppers which came served with red bell peppers and made for a colorful plate but diluted the taste of the peppers. My company ordered the albóndigas and enjoyed them. We also shared the patatas bravas which were better here than the ones I had in Madrid a few weeks ago. The patatas were my favorite dish here. I'd definitely return and recommend dining here for the experience. read more

Solterra Winery & Kitchen - Shishito Peppers Seafood Paella Patatas Bravas albóndigas - Wine Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

Visited this great winery with friends for a Painting and Sip event. The parking here can be a bit challenging, so call ahead for instructions; they may have a spot in the back for you. If not, you will probably need to find parking on the street or across the street in the gravel & dirt lot next to the train tracks. After parking across the street, I ventured about a block south and then ventured across the street. I joined some friends at the bar a few minutes before the painting and sip event. The bartender was very helpful and recommended a great merlot. I purchased a glass and then we all headed over to the wine barrel room for the painting event. The artist teaching the class was Natalie. She welcomed us all into the space and encouraged us to choose a seat and get settled. There is staff also that will provide you with menus to order food and drinks while you paint. The event was great, the staff and artist were very kind. There was one time that one of my friends asked for iced water and the server took her glass but did not return, so I offered my own water glass and bottle of house water that was at our table. Pros: Very large space with good food and wine Great flatbread pizzas, calamari, personal charcuterie board, and other delicious entrees and small plates Awesome staff and artist at this business Cons: Parking can be challenging There is a significant amount of fruit flies that fly around the wine barrel room and are attracted to food and beverages, we had to cover our items while painting and dining Fair star scoring: Great place for wine and food and great and welcoming staff, just minus one star for the fruit flies and forgetting to return with water for a guest read more

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Solterra hosted us for our wedding rehearsal dinner and it was everything we could hope for!! Casual but elevated as always! The food was amazing, the wine was superb, and all of our guests had a blast! Cindy made the booking and planning so easy and she was an amazing host the day of. We couldn't be happier!! read more

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We were so thrilled to have our VIP business dinner at SolTerra. It was an amazing celebration. Cindy took care of us right down to the flowers. The food, wine, and ambiance were just the vibe we wanted. We are hooked on this venue! read more

Solterra Winery & Kitchen - Barrel Room - Wine Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Everything about Solterra was excellent!! Wine: Everything we tried was great! I love that they offer half pours that are truly half the price of a full pour. This really allows you to try a variety of wines from the menu. They've got a great, diverse list of offerings and are well versed to be able to offer suggestions based on your preferences. The wines are also all affordably priced. Food: We dug into a delicious mixed board filled with meats and cheeses. It also had a tasty smoked marlin dip on it. Loved how many different little treats there were on the board. From the fun spreads to the tasty olives and almonds, it was great!! We also got the crispy cauliflower app which we loved. All hits at this little urban winery- which also had a big event space too! So good! read more

Solterra Winery & Kitchen - Board - Wine Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

Love coming here for the food, wine and when they have live music. Love that they are an urban winery. They have friendly service and the best hostess! They are great if you want to host a party too! read more

This evening I went for a cruise down Old Hwy 101 to catch some waves and a generous splash of warm sunshine. For happy hour, I discovered Solterra in Leucadia about 30 miles north of San Diego. This restaurant and wine store crafts their own beer and red and white wines. After meeting Cindy, Solterra's event planner, she brought me a selection of their award winning white wines and a house rose. The rose was delicious. Light on the palate with a gorgeous bouquet. Hints of strawberry and peach with one drop of grapefruit to give a wonderful airy finish. While discussing this with Cindy along with my fondness for Italian prosecco sparkling white wine, she asked if I had ever tasted a pét-nat. Answer back was no so she brought me a glass to sample. Pétillant naturel wines (i.e., pét-nats) popped onto the wine scene between 2015 and 2020. Pét-nats are sparkling wines made in a manner that predates the so-called "traditional method" used in Champagne (and for most other sparkling wines). Rather than induce a second fermentation in the bottle to create the bubbles, as champagne producers do, makers of pét-nat simply bottle the wine before the initial fermentation has ended. The result is softly fizzy, sometimes lightly sweet from residual grape sugars, usually hazy with unfiltered yeast particles, and typically sealed with a crown cap instead of a cork. By nature, pét-nats are casual. They're easygoing. They didn't brush their hair when they got up, and they threw on yesterday's jeans because, really, who cares? Some pét-nats are downright funky. On the other hand, some are as clean and precise as can be. Solterra's version leaned on the casual side. This makes complete sense as Leucadia is a surfing town. (I have friends there that wear shorts 90% of the year because the climate is so mild). Point is that Solterra has created the perfect wine for that area. Cindy and Will, her partner went well out of their way to tell me about Solterra's history and their take on producing world-class wine. Solterra has won dozens of prestigious awards. The critics love Solterra and I understand why. I paired my pét-nat with Solterra's tapas-style burger with pan fried cubed potatoes and a Caesars salad. I must have caused quite a scene with my photography and endless questions that I even got a chance to meet Donna and her husband who were seated at the table next to mine. They both echoed Cindy and Will's vibe about the family feeling that Solterra was giving to their customers. Coincidentally, Andrea the maitre d', is from Bristol in the UK. She knew about my secondary school King's College, Taunton, and had heard of my primary school in Wookey Hole, another school in Somerset county near Bristol that I attended in the 1970s. I will definitely need to talk more with Andrea soon. I left with two bottles of pét-nat to tide me over until Sunday which is National Wine Day. I am going back and already looking forward to my next visit to spend some time with my new friends and to explore more tasty treats on their menu. Solterra is a truly special place in a wonderful part of town; it shines like the brightest gem in a large treasure chest. read more

My wife and I have a short list of "go to" restaurants in north county. At the very top is Solterra in Leucadia, which considering we've been going since they first opened, this review is long overdue. Everything about this place is A+, the wine, food, the barrel room, and especially the chill Leucadia vibe are all 5 stars. Something that can go unnoticed is how crucial the staff are. At Solterra extra props to our long-time servers Cindy and Corbin, who are excellent and a credit to the restaurant, and in particular the hostess Andrea who honestly is the glue, seating guests, answering phones, and keeping an eye on the tables to make sure service is running perfectly. She's been there from day one and is amazing. Good job to Solterra for such a great staff. This place is my number one recommendation when friends come to visit SD. read more

Solterra Winery & Kitchen - Wine Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Very nice wine and food selections. We enjoyed our time there, they made a special effort to put a table together for our group of 6. Thank you Solterra team !!! read more

So delicious! You should definitely come to this place! Andrea greeted us and set us up in a fantastic spot! Corbin is a great server, and he was just the beginning of a great night. Wine recommendations were on point. We started with the shishito peppers, added the prosciutto and artichoke flatbread (gf), birria tacos and finished with the AMAZING flourless chocolate cake. If you do nothing else, come try the wine and cake. Very cool tasting room with awesome information, and the cake seals the deal. read more

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I was looking forward to coming here for my birthday yesterday it said on apple maps they opened at 4pm. However when i stopped by there was a ton of construction going on or something. Didn't see a post about them being closed down or anything... bummer read more

Solterra hosted our rehearsal dinner, and after how much fun we had we wish they did weddings so we could go back the next night. The event planning process with Cindy was SO easy and enjoyable! She organized everything and helped us along the way. The food and alcohol was incredible, and the whole staff made the day so special. I was worried about not having any decor to provide, but they provided everything and the space looked so nice! We will definitely be looking to host future events here read more

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I've been here a few times now and each time the food has been consistently delicious. Ordered papas bravatas, rack of lamb, grilled hanger steak and a couple of drinks. The rack of lamb was fairly small in terms of the size of the rack, but the meat was cooked right on medium rare and juicy. Same with the hanger steak. Service is phenomenal as usual. Very attentive and even asked if we would prefer to sit somewhere else due to us being next to another table with a child. Definitely appreciated the gesture of asking but also didn't mind sitting where we were. The mood in the room is just relaxing of people having a good time, enjoying dinner and a drink with friends, family, and significant others. Can't wait to go back the next time to try their distilled liquors. read more

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Went by Solterra after a trip to Lightscape at the SD Botanical gardens. We were blown away by the food and the service. Ian our server was knowledgeable, personable and really made the evening very enjoyable. The food way exceeded our expectations and the wine added to the experience. Such a cool spot in Leucadia, don't miss it!!! Ian thanks for a great night!. read more

Solterra Winery & Kitchen - The view!!! Very warm and inviting. - Wine Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

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We had the best experience having our friends bridal shower at Solterra! Cindy was so wonderful responding to all my emails from the start and followed through helping the entire time on the day of the event. We all had such a great time and really appreciated all Cindy and team did for us! The food was fantastic! Very much recommend having an event here! Can't wait to go back , this time just for dinner! read more

Solterra Winery & Kitchen - Barrel room for the event! - Wine Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Cindy and the Solterra team helped us plan and host the perfect baby shower. They were so thoughtful and attentive, we had the perfect day with their help! read more

Service by Kristen amazing! The wines are so affordable not even at happy hour. Lots of variety and beer as well.We had the pizza the dough was delish but the sauce was too sweet imo so a little off putting for us. I would go back and try other food. read more

My son and his fiancé chose Solterra Winery & Kitchen as the venue for their rehearsal dinner. This was planned long distance via email, my son and his fiancé live in Nashville, we live in New Jersey. From my future daughter-in-law's first contact with Alex, the event manager, to the final clean up, it was a perfect experience! Our menu included appetizers: charcuterie boards, flatbreads, and beef skewers. Entrees: roasted chicken, short rib, house salad, Patatas bravas, and Brussels sprouts. Dessert- flourless cake. We chose 4 wines: Sauv Blanc, Ainsley Bordeaux, a 2019 Petite Syrah, and a 2019 Tempranillo. The charcuterie boards had a wonderful variety of items and were as artist as they they were delicious! The beef skewers flavor and tenderness was a delight, and the three varieties of flatbreads, were each unique and flavorful! The short rib (I'm so thankful we added extra portions of it at our 14 day deadline) was nothing short of perfection! It was served over a bed of beans and garnished! Roasted chicken was good, the patatas bravas had layers of flavor while the Brussels sprouts were crispy and tender and seasoned. Hats off the the chef! We'll done! Our guests kept commenting that the venue was unique, and how impressed they were by the food. We arrived in California two days prior to our event and showed up to wine taste unannounced. Initially we were told it might be too late for wine tastings, but without making us feel awkward, Jason, the bartender, helped us out with an impromptu tasting. We were able to quickly narrow down our choices for the event because Jason was knowledgeable and friendly! He suggested a certain number of not for our number of guests and he was spot on! The day of the event we arrived a few minutes ahead of our contract time. We offered to wait outside, but Alex was warm and welcoming, and invited us in to begin decorating. All evening Alex or another server were there to serve beverages, clean plates, refill food and water. Both were very accommodating and friendly. Shawn/Shaun, the manager checked on us several times throughout the event to see if we needed anything. His presence was appreciated! If we lived locally, we would be regulars at Solterra Winery & Kitchen! read more

Solterra Winery & Kitchen - If we lived locally we'd be regulars! - Wine Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

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We celebrated my 50th birthday at Solterra. Cindy did such an amazing job of helping us plan and coordinate everything for the event. She went above and beyond, she's the best! The food, wine, service, & venue were perfect. I couldn't have asked for a better experience! read more

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Everything was perfect! The best food and staff we ever experienced. Hats off to Margarita and her staff. read more

Solterra Winery & Kitchen - Something special from them to us! Thank you so much! - Wine Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Solterra is more than an amazing wine and culinary experience. It's family. The staff, especially Phil and Andrea, are truly caring and kind people. I feel so blessed to call Solterra home. read more

Went to a B Day Party about 2 yrs ago there. Not too impressed by service but we were a big party so ok. Went this past weekend with friends , the host brought water to our table but managed to stick her fingers in every glass gross! We ordered a bottle of wine and she brought it to our table opened with her palm on top o the opening. Really??? Sounding like a germ phobic but she is not cleaning her hands and was clearing dirty dishes off the other tables. Gross. Flatbread undercooked tried to get our Servers attention but Corbin just ignored us. We decided to leave and eat at Regal seagull, great food , fun, relaxed, friendly. Good vs less than mediocre at best. Would not recommend. Response to owners reply: thank you for taking the time to respond. Unfortunately there was no around to attend to us. Our waiter Corbin never came to check on us and just avoided us, as we tried to wave him down several times ( not that big of a restaurant). We had to go up to host stand to obtain our check, and I did tell busser that our server Corbin was not available during our visit. He went and collected our check. I won't recommend your restaurant based on my experience and lack of accountability. read more

We held our rehearsal dinner the night before our wedding at Solterra Winery, and it was truly perfect! The food was absolutely delicious, and the entire team was wonderful to work with - our family and friends had an amazing time. A special shoutout to Cindy, who was so kind from the moment we met at our tasting, incredibly responsive to every question, and made sure the evening ran seamlessly. The event space itself is charming, and the team made it so easy for us to bring in the extra decor we envisioned. Thank you, Solterra, for giving us an unforgettable night! read more

A True Gem - My Home Away from Home As a long-time wine club member at Solterra Winery and Kitchen, I can say without hesitation that this is one of the most special places in North County. I visit several times a month, and each experience reminds me why I keep coming back. The wines are consistently excellent--elegant, flavorful, and clearly made with passion and expertise. The food? Exceptional. Every dish is beautifully crafted, bursting with flavor, and perfectly complements the wine. But what truly makes Solterra stand out is the hospitality. The spectacular team is warm, welcoming, and genuinely attentive--it's the kind of place where you feel like family! Whether you're there for a casual glass with an appetizer... or a longer evening with friends, it's always a memorable experience. Huge thanks to the entire Solterra Team for creating such a wonderful atmosphere. I'm proud to be a part of this community and always look forward to the next visit! read more

Fabulous experience!! Great food, great wine, with very friendly and attentive staff. What more can you ask for? The short rib paella is must try and if you're a seafood lover you'll enjoy the seafood paella as well. Excellent Sauvignon Blanc and mixed drinks. Highly recommend this place and looking forward to going back. read more

Cindy G was the best coordinator we could have asked for. She was super responsive, super thoughtful, and was delightful to be around the night of. She helped facilitate and plan our rehearsal dinner- we could even feel her enthusiasm over the phone! The night of, we felt that she truly wanted to make the experience easy and enjoyable for us as well. If you are looking for someone who can make one of the best parties of your life a cinch, then Cindy G is your person! read more

Great location, food, wine and staff! Been here a few times and always leave happy. This spot is known for their paella's and great wine. One of the few restaurants I've gone to that has squash blossoms on a regular basis. They change the menu a few times a year to make sure to everything is fresh and in season. The staff is very knowledgeable about wine and happy to answer questions as well as recommended wine that complement your meal. They have a nice patio area and live music Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Parking can be tricky sometimes but it is well worth finding a spot. Definitely stop in if in the area! read more

Solterra Winery & Kitchen - Vegan Paella I added shrimp - Wine Bars Near Me - Encinitas, California

Cindy and her team executed a lovely surprise engagement party for my son and his fiancé. Thank you so much for all you did to make Saturday night an outstanding success. Cindy was very responsive with her communication prior to, during and after the party. We appreciate her attention to every detail. The food was scrumptious, the wine was yummy - especially the cabernet franc (my personal favorite) and the venue fit us all perfectly. We had about 70 guests and used the barrel room and the patio together. read more