Wineries in Oxnard
Great wine, right here in the city.
Oxnard’s wineries offer a distinctly urban tasting experience centered along the city’s eastern corridor near Highway 101, close to the Oxnard–Camarillo border.
Explore Oxnard Wineries & Wine Tasting
Rather than vineyard estates, visitors will find production wineries and tasting rooms where grapes sourced from top California growing regions are transformed into finished wines on site.
A Wide Range of California Wines In Oxnard
Local wineries such as Herzog Wine Cellars, Strey Cellars and Magnavino Cellars showcase a broad spectrum of styles, from Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah to Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and sparkling wines. Many offer guided tastings and curated flights that provide insight into how these wines are blended and aged. The atmosphere is welcoming and informative, with staff often available to answer questions and share details about each release.
Easy to Add Oxnard Wineries To Any Itinerary
Whether you’re planning a dedicated tasting outing or simply looking to add a wine stop to a broader trip, Oxnard provides an accessible way to explore California wines without traveling deep into vineyard country. Its location near major highways makes it easy to incorporate into a day of exploring the region.
Oxnard Tasting Rooms Worth Discovering
Oxnard’s wine scene centers on approachable tasting experiences rather than sprawling vineyard estates. Most wineries are located inland near the Oxnard–Camarillo corridor, where visitors can sample a wide range of California wines in welcoming settings. Whether you want an in-depth look at winemaking or a casual flight with friends, these wineries offer distinct ways to explore the region’s wine culture at your own pace.
Visit Herzog Wine Cellars In Oxnard
One of the largest wineries in Ventura County, Herzog Wine Cellars offers guided tastings along with self-guided and scheduled tours of its production facility. Visitors can learn about fermentation, barrel aging and bottling while sampling wines produced from premier California vineyards. The portfolio includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and other varietals spanning bold reds to crisp whites. An on-site restaurant adds a food-and-wine dimension to the experience, making Herzog one of the most comprehensive winery visits in the area.
Visit Strey Cellars In Oxnard
Strey Cellars is a locally owned tasting room known for small-production wines and a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere. Guests can enjoy flights featuring varietals such as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and white blends sourced from California growing regions. While the focus is on tasting rather than formal tours, the intimate setting allows visitors to engage directly with staff and learn about the wines in a relaxed environment.
Visit Magnavino Cellars In Oxnard
Magnavino Cellars offers a Tuscan-inspired tasting experience featuring a wide selection of wines ranging from sparkling options to robust reds. Visitors can sample varietals including Sangiovese, Barbera and Cabernet-based blends in a spacious tasting room designed for both casual visits and group outings. The emphasis is on enjoying diverse styles in a social setting rather than touring production areas.
Guided Oxnard Wine Tours & Transportation
Oxnard serves as a convenient home base for exploring nearby wine regions, with several regional companies offering transportation-based tours that depart from or near the city. Most excursions travel north into Santa Barbara County’s renowned wine country where vineyards and estate wineries are concentrated. While some operators may provide pickup within Oxnard, many tours depart from locations farther north, so travelers should confirm departure details when booking.
Transportation options for visiting Oxnard Wineries:
- Grapeline Wine Tours — Offers guided day trips to Santa Barbara wine country, typically visiting multiple wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley. Guests travel by shuttle to destinations such as Los Olivos, Buellton and Solvang. While standard departures originate in Santa Barbara or the wine region, custom pickups in Oxnard may be available and should be arranged directly with the company when booking.
- Seabridge Wine Tours — A smaller operator providing private or small-group experiences focused on the Los Olivos area and surrounding vineyards. Tours emphasize boutique wineries and tasting rooms across Santa Barbara County’s wine region, with a more customized itinerary style.
- Private car, limo and charter services — Local transportation companies can arrange custom routes to wineries in Ventura County, Ojai Valley, Santa Ynez Valley or other Central Coast destinations, allowing groups to design their own tasting day without driving.
Looking for additional guided experiences beyond wine? Explore other Oxnard tours — from harbor adventures to cultural outings — available throughout the city and surrounding region.
From Oxnard Wineries To The Dinner Table
Because Oxnard’s wineries are located in inland business districts rather than walkable dining areas, pairing wine tasting with a meal usually involves trekking across town. Several upscale restaurants across the city offer strong wine programs and refined cuisine that complement a day of tastings without implying back-to-back stops.
Waterside Restaurant & Wine Bar In Oxnard
Located along Channel Islands Harbor, Waterside Restaurant & Wine Bar offers a waterfront dining experience that pairs well with an evening visit after exploring other parts of Oxnard. The menu features dishes such as shrimp scampi, USDA prime rib-eye, duck confit tacos and a gourmet burger topped with red-wine onions, all supported by an extensive wine selection. Seafood specials and seasonal plates change frequently, making it a destination for a dedicated dinner rather than a quick stop.
Ox & Ocean In Oxnard
A few miles away from the highway-adjacent wineries and on-resort at Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, Ox & Ocean delivers elevated coastal cuisine built around fresh seafood and premium ingredients. Menu highlights include beer-battered fish tacos, grilled steak and eggs, BBQ tri-tip sandwich and a signature Angus burger, along with salads featuring local produce. The restaurant maintains a curated wine list and occasionally hosts themed dining or wine-focused evenings, but offerings vary, so checking the restaurant’s event calendar is recommended before planning a visit.
Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars
Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars offers the most seamless option, as the restaurant is located directly inside the winery. The menu features sophisticated Mediterranean-influenced dishes designed for pairing, such as braised lamb shank, seared duck breast, grilled steelhead trout and house-made pastas like pappardelle with duck ragu. Seasonal starters and desserts rotate regularly, allowing guests to build a full wine-and-food experience without leaving the property.
Gatherings Worth Planning Around In Oxnard
For visitors looking beyond traditional tastings, Oxnard’s wineries regularly host live entertainment, themed gatherings and special events that turn a simple wine stop into a full evening out. Programming changes throughout the year, so checking each winery’s website or event calendar is essential when planning your visit.
Events at Herzog Wine Cellars
Herzog hosts a steady schedule of ticketed wine-focused events centered around its Tierra Sur restaurant and wine club community. Recent and recurring examples include:
- Wine Club Pickup Parties featuring new releases and food pairings
- Premier Wine Club Dinners with multi-course meals
- Premier Club Parties for members and guests
- Seasonal holiday events and specialty celebrations
These events typically require advance reservations and often sell out, reflecting the winery’s strong regional following. Visitors should check Herzog’s official event listings for upcoming dates and availability, as many experiences are scheduled around club releases or seasonal occasions.
For private gatherings, Herzog offers formal event capabilities tied to its restaurant and winery spaces, suitable for corporate dinners, milestone celebrations and group functions.
Events at Strey Cellars
Strey Cellars maintains one of the most varied public event calendars among local wineries, emphasizing community-oriented entertainment. Common offerings include:
- Saturday night live music performances
- Sunday music sessions in the barrel room
- Paint-and-sip workshops
- Wine glass painting classes
- Tarot reading pop-ups
- Fundraising events such as “Puppies & Pinot”
Events typically run alongside tasting hours and create a relaxed, social environment where guests can drop in or stay for the evening. Because programming rotates frequently, checking Strey Cellars’ website or social pages is the best way to see what is scheduled during your visit.
The winery’s temperature-controlled barrel room doubles as a private venue accommodating roughly 100 seated guests or up to about 130 attendees depending on layout, commonly used for weddings, receptions, corporate events and private parties.
Events at Magnavino Cellars
Magnavino combines wine service with nightlife-style programming and themed social events. Frequent examples include:
- Live music nights across multiple genres
- Line dancing evenings with instruction
- Dueling piano shows
- Mardi Gras and seasonal themed parties
- Paint-and-sip classes
- Sunday afternoon concerts
Many events include food service and table reservations, making the venue suitable for a full evening experience rather than a quick tasting stop. Visitors should consult Magnavino’s official calendar for current events, as offerings vary by season and performer availability.
Magnavino also operates as a large private event venue, with indoor space capable of hosting up to about 160 guests for weddings, corporate functions and celebrations.
The History Behind Oxnard Wine
How the Local Wine Scene Works
Oxnard’s wine scene is built around production facilities and tasting rooms rather than vineyards. Most grapes used by local wineries are grown in established wine regions across California and transported to Oxnard for fermentation, aging and bottling. For example, Herzog Wine Cellars sources fruit from vineyards throughout the state, including Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Lodi and Lake County, selecting regions that best match each varietal.
As a result, Oxnard offers a different kind of wine experience — one focused on craftsmanship, blending and winemaking technique rather than estate vineyards or rural scenery.Although Oxnard itself is not a traditional wine-growing destination, it sits within the broader Ventura County wine region. Nearby areas such as Ojai and parts of the Santa Barbara County wine country produce grapes and host vineyard estates, forming what many refer to as the Ventura County Wine Trail — an informal network of tasting rooms and wineries across the region rather than a single physical route.
A Modern Evolution of Oxnard Agriculture
Local wineries in Oxnard contribute to this regional identity by providing accessible places to taste wines made from diverse California terroirs without traveling deep into vineyard country. Visitors can learn about the winemaking process, explore different varietals from across the state and connect directly with producers — all within a city setting that is easy to reach from major highways and population centers.
Historically, agriculture in the Oxnard area did include small-scale grape growing in the late 19th century, but the region became far better known for crops such as beans, citrus and strawberries. Today’s wine culture reflects a modern evolution: production-driven wineries paired with tasting experiences that serve as a gateway to exploring the wider Central Coast wine landscape.
Stay Near Oxnard's Wineries
Oxnard’s wineries are located near the city’s eastern edge along the Oxnard–Camarillo corridor, making nearby business-district hotels the most convenient choice for visitors planning tastings. The closest full-service options include Hilton Garden Inn Oxnard/Camarillo and Homewood Suites by Hilton Oxnard/Camarillo, both situated just minutes from the area’s primary wineries. These properties offer easy access to Highway 101, comfortable modern rooms and amenities suited for both short visits and extended stays, allowing guests to return and relax without crossing the city after an afternoon of wine experiences.
Discover More Experiences
Explore more places to eat, sip and experience Oxnard’s diverse food scene.
Discover More Experiences
Explore more places to eat, sip and experience Oxnard’s diverse food scene.
