Vista CA— Now, people with a taste for eclectic fine art and a thirst for eclectic local wine can satisfy both appetites at monthly wine tastings presented by excellent local wineries at ArtBeat on Main Street Gallery and Wine Lounge, 330 Main Street, in the heart of downtown Vista. As part of the festivities, people vote for their favorite wine, with the winner incorporated into ArtBeat’s fine wine selection.
Typically the wine tastings are accompanied by live music and held on the first Saturday of each month beginning at 6 pm. The $12 ticket price includes the tasting and complimentary appetizers.
The wine tastings are the brainchild of Vistan Bill Grote, a longtime grape-grower and home winemaker whose spirits have won acclaim from associates and garnered awards at the San Diego County Fair. A member of the San Diego Amateur Winemaking Society, he had long wanted to help promote local wineries, which number more than 100 countywide.

On a serendipitous introduction to Art Beat, Grote says he realized, “This is precisely what a community-oriented gallery should be. Accessible, affordable and down-home Vista nice. When I saw the comfy wine lounge in the back, a light bulb went on. I knew ArtBeat would make an ideal venue to showcase the outstanding products of our local vintners.”
Grote approached ArtBeat owner Kait Matthews. In the time it takes to stomp a few grapes, they crafted a program featuring monthly wine tastings presented by diverse local wineries.
The first tasting, presented by Roadrunner Ridge Winery of Rainbow on August 1, 2015, was a huge success. “We love the ArtBeat ambiance,” said Roadrunner owners Jim and Judi Brady as they chatted with patrons, revealing the nuances of their selected wines for the tasting; six of their nearly 20 wines. At the end of the evening, the votes were tallied. Tying for first place were the 2012 Cinq Blanc (a white Rhone blend) and 2012 Redemption (Malbec, Petit Verdot and Zinfandel). Second-place honors went to the whimsically named PMS (Petite Sirah, Mourvedre and Shiraz).
Grote said he was “absolutely delighted” at the turnout for the debut event. He confided, “I am not an artist, but being here has inspired me. I’m signing up to take an ArtBeat painting class. Perhaps I’ll start with the ‘Paint Your Own Wine Glass’ workshop!”
ArtBeat on Main Street co-op gallery and wine lounge is located 330 Main Street in downtown Vista. It is open Tuesday, 11:00am- 8:00pm, Wednesday–Saturday, 11:00am-9:30pm, and Sunday, Noon-4:30pm. For information, visit www.artbeatonmainstreet.com, find us on Facebook or discover Vista’s creative vibe in person. To learn about gallery partnering opportunities, including space rentals, email info@artbeatonmainstreet.com.